Brigid concentrates her practice in various areas of insurance defense and civil litigation, including the defense of insurance coverage matters, the defense of first party automotive claims, arbitrations, and appeals. With more than 20 years of experience in the fields of insurance casualty and coverage, federal and state trial litigation, and appellate advocacy, Brigid's reputation, particularly in the central Pennsylvania Bar, is highly regarded.
In 1980 Brigid graduated, cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa from Allegheny College. Thereafter, she earned her J.D. from The Dickinson School of Law in 1983 and was admitted to the Pennsylvania Bar that year.
Brigid has been very active on the Dauphin County Board of Arbitration as both Chair and Panel Member. She also serves as an Adjunct Assistant Professor with Dickinson School of Law's award winning Trial Advocacy Program. Brigid is also active in the annual statewide High School Mock Trial Competition, sponsored by the Young Lawyer's Division of the Pennsylvania Bar Association.
Significant Representative Matters
· Defense verdict for business owner/insured in premises liability action, arguing no notice of defect.
· Resolved multi-party, complex declaratory judgment actions in both state and federal courts involving various insurance coverage issues and exclusions.
· Prevailed on summary judgment motion for co-defendant in action arising from motor vehicle accident that had resulted in death of back seat passenger.
· Successfully presented motion to sever and bifurcate breach of contract and bad faith claims in Pennsylvania state courts.
· Successfully presented motion to have federal court decline to exercise pendent jurisdiction over personal injury claim, raised as cross-claim by co-defendant in declaratory judgment action.
· Resolved sexual harassment/intimidation action filed against defendant-insured in federal court; original complaint had included punitive damages claim.
Published Works
· "Less is More: Pennsylvania Supreme Court Confirms Less Stringent Rules Apply to Lower UM/UIM Limits Than to Waive UM/UIM Coverage," Defense Digest, 2011-06, Vol. 17, No. 2
· "Oh Tannenbaum, Oh Tannenbaum! Early Christmas Gift To UM/UIM Carriers From Pennsylvania Supreme Court," Defense Digest, Vol. 16, No. 3, September, 2010
· "UM/UIM Coverage in Pennsylvania: Establishing 'Occupancy' of Vehicle as Basis for Qualifying as an Insured," Defense Digest, Vol. 15, No. 2, June, 2009
· Allegheny College, 1980 B.A.
Classes/Seminars Taught
· UM/UIM, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2010
· Annual Auto Law Update, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2010
· Trial Tactics, Tips & Techniques, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 1999; 2009
· Presentations to clients on developments in Pennsylvania UM/UIM law, bad faith and various coverage issues
· Adjunct Assistant Professor, Trial Advocacy Program, The Dickinson School of Law
· Annual Auto Law Update, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2007
· Trial Preparation: The 100-Day Countdown, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2003
Associations & Memberships
· Dauphin County Bar Association (Panel Chair, Board of Arbitration)
· Pennsylvania Bar Association
· The Honorable William W. Lipsitt American Inns of Court, Master
Year Joined Organization: 2008
Publications
Less Is More: Pennsylvania Supreme Court Confirms Less Strigent Rules Apply To Lower UM/UIM Limits Than To Waive UM/UIM Coverage
Defense Digest Article · June 1, 2011
Pennsylvania - UM/UIM , KEY POINTS: If the insured has signed the insurance application, and the application itself lists a dollar amount for UM/UIM coverage, that is sufficient to comply with the MVFRL. According to the..., Defense Digest, Vol. 17, No. 2, June 2011
Oh Tannenbaum, Oh Tannenbaum! Early Christmas Gift to UM/UIM Carriers From Pennsylvania Supreme Court
Defense Digest Article · September 1, 2010
Pennsylvania -- Automobile Liability , Key Points: Statutory offset in Pennsylvania's Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law applied to disability benefits. Court refuses to limit scope of offset to health benefits..., Defense Digest, Vol. 16, No. 3, September 2010
UM/UIM Coverage in Pennsylvania: Establishing "Occupancy" of Vehicle as Basis for Qualifying as an Insured
Defense Digest Article · June 1, 2009
Pennsylvania -- UM/UIM , UM/UIM endorsements subject to Pennsylvania's Motor Vehicle Financial Responsibility Law often define the "insured" to include not only the named insured, but also any other person "occupying" the covered motor vehicle...., Defense Digest, Vol. 15, No. 2, June 2009
News
Brigid Alford and Ed Schwartz (Harrisburg, PA) were featured speakers at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the Professional Liability Defense Federation
October 1, 2011
Brigid Alford and Ed Schwartz (Harrisburg, PA) were featured speakers at the 2011 Annual Meeting of the Professional Liability Defense Federation in Chicago recently. The meeting was attended by both claims professionals and defense counsel from around the country. Brigid spoke on Professional...
Events
Insurance Fraud Perspectives 2012 SIU Fraud Seminar
Seminar · Jun 7, 2012