Ralph G. Wellington

Ralph G. Wellington has extensive experience representing major corporations in significant litigation and business matters throughout the United States. He is an active appellate advocate, having argued before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Courts of Appeals for the Third, Sixth and Seventh circuits, as well as appellate courts in various states. Mr. Wellington served as Chairman of the Firm from 1998 to 2010 and also is a former member of the Firm's Pro Bono Committee. 

AREAS OF EXPERIENCE AND REPRESENTATIVE MATTERS

Class Actions

• for Rohm and Haas, et al., obtaining denial of class certification in a medical monitoring and property damage class action filed on behalf of residents of a town in Illinois.  
• for several manufacturers in In re: Linerboard Antitrust Litigation, involving allegations of price fixing.
• for United Engineers & Constructors, Inc. in In re: Washington Public Power Supply Systems Securities Litigation, the largest municipal bond default in U.S. history.
• for Prudential Property & Casualty Insurance Company in Jean and Joseph Libby v. Prudential Property & Casualty Insurance Company, involving Pennsylvania insurance practices.
• for Isolyser Company, Inc. in Peter Salit v. Robert C. Taylor, et al., involving disclosure issues under the federal securities laws.
• for several insurance companies in Foodarama Supermarkets, Inc., et al. v. American Insurance Company, et al., involving voluntary market premiums.

Appellate Matters

• for Consolidated Rail Corporation in Conrail v. Gottshall, where the United States Supreme Court, following argument, reversed the decisions of two Circuit Courts of Appeals and limited job-related emotional distress claims under the Federal Employers Liability Act.
• for the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board in Keystone Redevelopment Partners v. Decker, et al., where the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, following argument, reversed the District Court and held that Board members were entitled to quasi-judicial immunity and could not be sued by the Donald Trump entity, which was a disappointed applicant for a Pennsylvania casino license.
• for First Union Corporation in Pioneer Financial Mortgage Corp. v. First Union, et al., where the $351 million judgment awarded by the jury was reduced by the trial court, following argument, to $55 million, and finally vacated entirely by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court which directed that judgment n.o.v. be entered in favor of First Union on all claims.
• for Delaware County Community College where the Third Circuit Court of Appeals, following argument, reversed a jury verdict against the college and held that a tenured professor, dismissed for charges of sexual harassment, had been provided due process by the college.

Aviation

• for numerous aviation insurance companies in Hercules, Inc. v. AIG Aviation, Inc., where the Delaware Supreme Court, following argument, held as a matter of first impression that there was no insurance coverage for a $55 million settlement under the False Claims Act.
• for the engine manufacturer of the developmental V-22 Osprey aircraft.
• for the corporate owner of a helicopter involved in a mid-air collision with a fixed wing aircraft resulting in multiple death and injury claims.
• numerous cases involving general aviation aircraft and their engine and component part manufacturers.

Other Matters

• conducted an internal investigation for a significant public company, including numerous interviews, analysis of forensic accountings, and preparation of a report for the board.
• for the Barnes Foundation, in its successful effort to amend the original indenture and create a new art education center in Philadelphia.
• for Wachovia Bank, in Stein v. Wachovia, et al., where summary judgment was obtained for the bank against allegations of fiduciary mismanagement.
• for Consolidated Rail Corporation in a construction overrun and delay claim involving the installation of 2,000 miles of fiber-optic cable.