Teresa Ficken Sachs is a lawyer practicing appellate advocacy and post-trial practice, insurance, medical malpractice. Teresa received a B.S. degree from University of Connecticut in 1980, and has been licensed for 42 years. Teresa practices in Harrisburg, PA.
About Teresa Ficken Sachs
Awards
Reviews for Teresa
Services
Areas of Law
Practice Details
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Representative Cases & TransactionsCasesSignificant Representative Matters: Pursued successful appeal to Superior Court from trial court's grant of new trial after jury returned a defense verdict in medical malpractice case. The Superior Court found that the trial court abused its discretion in granting a new trial based upon a juror's alleged failure to disclose certain information, where the information would not have been a basis to strike the juror for cause.
Successfully defended appeal to Superior Court in legal malpractice action by principals of telecommunications company against their prior counsel.
Pursued successful appeal to Supreme Court of Ohio in wrongful death case involving application of an arbitration clause to a lawsuit by the decedent's estate.
Successfully defended appeal to Superior Court in declaratory judgment action seeking UIM benefits from carrier than had paid all applicable coverage in motor vehicle death case.
Successfully defended Third Circuit appeal, after obtaining summary judgment in favor of insurance carrier, in declaratory judgment action involving enforceability of policy exclusion regarding insureds to whom coverage would be extended.
Successfully defended Third Circuit appeal in declaratory judgment action challenging coverage denial to insurance broker in claim alleging payment of more than $1 million due to fraud by broker.
Successfully defended Third Circuit appeal in brain cancer death case against university
health system. The decedent was a university research scientist
the plaintiff claimed that the decedent's brain cancer was due to alleged radiation exposure in the university research facility. The issues included applicability of the federal Price-Anderson Radiation Act st
ards as well as claimed medical malpractice.
Successfully defended Third Circuit appeal in case seeking damages in excess of $12 million arising from construction of natural gas pipeline. The plaintiff alleged negligent misrepresentation under the Bilt-Rite doctrine with respect to certain design activities
the Third Circuit affirmed that the Bilt-Rite doctrine did not apply to impose a duty on the defendants.
Successfully defended Third Circuit appeal in suit alleging deceptive conduct under multiple state
federal laws in a sale of property.
Successful defense on appeal of judgment for defendants in premises liability death case.
Represented large university in successful defense of post-trial motions following verdict in university's favor in case involving catastrophic injury to student,
affirmance of that result on appeal.
Represented major university health system in successful defense of Superior Court appeal involving issues of first impression regarding expert witness requirements in alleged nursing malpractice case,
ongoing defense in Pennsylvania Supreme Court.
Represented insurance carrier in successful appeal to Superior Court
successful defense in Supreme Court resulting in reversal of seven-figure judgment arising from shooting during armed robbery.
Represented Northeastern Pennsylvania college in successful appeal to Superior Court
successful defense in Supreme Court, resulting in reversal of $2.5 million judgment against the college
rem
for entry of judgment in its favor in case arising from campus construction project
involving complex issues including college's control over the worksite.
Published Works: The Supreme Court's Enforcement of Antidiscrimination Laws, chapter author, The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania: Life
Law in the Commonwealth, 1684 - 2017 . Penn State University Press, January 2018
Automobile Insurance Law - Substance
Ethics, UM/UIM Update, Philadelphia Bar Education Center, 1995
Experience
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Bar Admission & MembershipsAdmissions1984, Pennsylvania
1984, Supreme Court of Pennsylvania
1985, U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court Middle District of Pennsylvania
U.S. Supreme Court
MembershipsAssociations & Memberships
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Appellate Court Procedural Rules Committee, 2018
American Academy of Appellate Lawyers, fellow, 2017
Bar Association of the Third Federal Circuit
Lawyers' Club of Philadelphia - Board of Directors (2013)
Pennsylvania Bar Association
Pennsylvania Defense Institute - Board Member 2006-2012
Philadelphia Association of Defense Counsel - Past President, President-Elect, Vice President and Secretary
Board Member 1997-2004
Philadelphia Bar Association - 2013 Chair, Commission on Judicial Selection and Retention
Member, Appellate Courts Committee
Hearing Committee Member, Serving the Disciplinary Board of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, 2000-2006
Twin Lakes Conservancy - Board Member, 2000-Present
Chestnut Hill Youth Sports Club - Board Member, Vice President and Registrar, 2003 - Present
Commissioner of travel soccer program, 2004 - 2009 -
Education & CertificationsLaw SchoolVillanova University School of Law
Class of 1984
J.D.
cum laude; Member and Officer of the Moot Court Board
Other EducationUniversity of Connecticut
Class of 1980
B.S.
Pharmacy, cum laude; Rho Chi National Pharmaceutical Honor Society; Alpha Lambda Delta National Honor Society