Leah Snyder Batchis is a member of the Firm's Litigation Services Department, Heath Law Practice Group, and Appellate Practice Group. In her health care practice, Ms. Snyder Batchis counsels a variety of health care clients - from hospitals to long term care facilities - on regulatory compliance and dispute resolution. She has investigated hospital charity care policies, non-profit tax exemption, and Medicare and Medicaid funding issues, and negotiated an affiliation agreement between two Pennsylvania hospital systems. In her appellate practice, Ms. Snyder Batchis has prepared a Petition for Certiorari to the United States Supreme Court and handled a large and complex appeal in the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Ms. Snyder Batchis has also handled a variety of business litigation matters, including the successful defense of an attorney and his law firm in a legal malpractice action and obtaining summary judgment for a leading manufacturer of adhesive products.
Prior to joining Schnader, Ms. Snyder Batchis clerked for the Hon. Paul S. Diamond, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and interned at Community Legal Services. She earned her law degree with magna cum laude honors from Temple University Beasley School of Law. She earned her undergraduate degree from Vassar College.
Areas of Experience
Appellate Practice
· Prepared Petition for Writ of Certiorari to the United States Supreme Court for International Paper Manufacturing Company involving issues of comity in the enforcement of foreign judgments.
· Represented railroads in their appeal of a $25 million jury verdict for personal injuries to trespassers.
· Represented internet travel company in successful appeal of local agency decision.
· Successfully defended wife against petition by husband to Pennsylvania Supreme Court for writ of mandamus.
Health Law/Government and Regulatory Affairs
· Counseled a long term care facility on corporate and regulatory compliance issues.
· Represented New Jersey hospital in regulatory matters related to termination of nurses.
· Counseled a chemical company regarding the application of HIPAA privacy regulations to voluntary testing of local residents.
· Negotiated and closed an affiliation agreement between two Pennsylvania hospitals.
· Counseled a public housing authority regarding compliance with HUD regulations.
· Represented a local grocery store in public health department proceedings.
· Counseled a large university on the environmental regulatory ramifications of the acquisition of a large piece of property in California.
Litigation Services
· Obtained summary judgment for leading manufacturer of adhesive products in contract dispute with buyer.
· Successfully defended an attorney and his law firm in a legal malpractice dispute.
· Litigated legal disputes between landlord and tenant regarding liability for repairs at Philadelphia parking garages.
· Counseled a public housing authority regarding its liability under Wage and Hour laws for work completed by employees of its subcontractor.
· Litigated a contract dispute between a long term care facility and a general contractor.
· Mediated multiple disputes before JAMS mediators.
Pro Bono
· Defended Guantanimo Bay detainee in federal habeas action.
· Successfully represented client in petition for permanent residency under Violence Against Women Act.
· Defended client against murder charge.
Community Activities
· Mt. Airy Neighbors, member
· Community Supported Agriculture, Farm to City, member
· Returned Peace Corps education and youth development volunteer in Morocco
Clerkships
Honorable Paul S. Diamond, U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
Professional Affiliations
· American Health Lawyers Association, member
· Philadelphia Bar Association, member
· American Bar Association, member
Other Distinctions
· Named a "Pennsylvania Rising Star" by Super Lawyers for business litigation, 2012
· Temple Law Review, lead articles editor
· Rubin Public Interest Honors Society, fellow
· Jack M. Golden and Freida Golden Prize for superior legal research and writing in health law
· Jerry Zaslow Memorial Award for outstanding academic achievement and law school activities
· Public Interest Law Scholar
· Best paper notation, Federal Courts and Jurisdiction
· Nat N. Wolfsohn memorial Award for outstanding grades in the field of real property law
News
05/18/2012, Super Lawyers Recognizes Many Schnader Attorneys in 2012
03/27/2012, The Legal Intelligencer Honors Schnader Team with "Unsung Hero" Pro Bono Award
08/10/2011, Schnader Achieves Dismissal of Potential State-Wide Class Action for Rite Aid Corporation
05/28/2010, Schnader Successfully Obtains Complete Acquittal on Murder Charges Against William J. Barnes
Publications
ARTICLES
09/06/2011, "Want More Feedback? Ask For It."
07/01/2011, "Reasonable Break Time for Nursing Mothers Clarified"
02/28/2011, "New Campaign Finance Rules in Effect as Primary Season Begins"
05/05/2005, "Can Lawsuits Help the Uninsured Access Affordable Hospital Care? Potential Theories for Uninsured Patient Plaintiffs"
ALERTS
02/16/2011, The Comment Period for New "Reasonable Break Time" Requirements for Nursing Mothers is Quickly Coming to a Close - Employers Should Decide Now Whether to Offer Comment
04/23/2009, More Bad News for Mandatory Arbitration Clauses in Credit Cardholder Agreements: The U.S. Supreme Court Limits the Ability to Enforce Arbitration Agreements in Federal Court
03/02/2009, Third Circuit Chimes in on Controversy Surrounding Enforcement of Mandatory Arbitration Clauses and Class Action Waivers, Holding that Certain Class Action Waivers May Be Unconscionable Under New Jersey Law
NEWSLETTERS
08/01/2005, Pro Bono Newsletter