Attorney Profile
Howard P. Dwoskin
Areas of Practice
Contact Info
Overview
Howard Dwoskin is Chairman of the Board of Directors and a member of the Executive Committee at Marshall Dennehey. In this capacity, he is involved in the governance and day-to-day operations of the Am Law 200 firm.
Howard joined Marshall Dennehey in 1987 as an associate and dedicated his career to the firm. For the past nine years he led the Casualty Department, its largest legal department, where he oversaw 250+ attorneys and managed workflow, attorney productivity, human relations, client relations and marketing. He continues to assist in department activities, including talent acquisition and recruitment initiatives.
In addition to his leadership roles at the firm, Howard chairs the General Liability Practice Group where he plays a more substantive role in the handling of case files. An experienced litigator, he has defended hundreds of premises and retail liability claims, as well as complex, high exposure matters on behalf of insurance companies and self-insureds.
Throughout his career, Howard has been a frequent lecturer on the topics of "The Art of Negotiation," "Pennsylvania Premises Liability Laws" and "The Pennsylvania Retail Theft Act." He is the co-chair and course planner for the Pennsylvania Bar Institute's premises liability seminar "How to Win the Fall Down Case."
After graduating from the University of Pennsylvania with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics, Howard worked for General Electric for two years before enrolling in Villanova University School of Law where he graduated with a juris doctor in 1986.
Howard is a big supporter of the arts. He, along with his wife and two daughters, volunteer in community theatre programs for adults and children.
Results
Ferdinand v. Save-A-Lot/SuperValu, 2008 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 30683 (E.D. Pa. April. 14, 2008). Plaintiff sued Save-A-Lot alleging wrongful detainment for shoplifting. Although the facts bore out that the plaintiff had properly paid for her purchases, the court, nevertheless, granted summary judgment for the defense pursuant to the Pennsylvania Retail Theft Act.
Doylestown Electric Supply Company v. Maryland Cas. Ins. Co., 1996 U.S. Dist. LEXIS, 20599 (E.D. Pa. Dec. 31, 1996). Plaintiff sustained water damage in home due to heavy rains filling drainage system. Court found for defendant stating that, because the damage was caused by both water that backed up from a sewage drain and surface water, the surface water exclusion in the policy allowed insurer to properly deny coverage.
Plaintiff claimed to have tripped and fallen over a bare end cap in a major retail department store. Jury found for the defendant on the basis that the plaintiff failed to prove that the store was negligent.
Plaintiff alleged personal injuries arising out of a dog attack in a public park. Court granted compulsory nonsuit for the defendant under prevailing Pennsylvania statutes and case law.
Intersectional collision between plaintiff's vehicle and defendant's tractor trailer. Jury trial in favor of defendant with no appeal.
Plaintiff fell down residential staircase and suffered brain damage injury. There was a controversy as to plaintiff's mental capacity at time of fall. Due to complexity of case, it was referred to ADR where defense verdict was awarded.
Raimo v. Waddy, 2004 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 20499 (E.D.Pa. Oct. 8, 2004).
Booth v. Black & Decker, Inc., 166 F. Supp. 2d 215 (E.D. Pa. 2001)
Christian v. United States, 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 17381 (E.D. Pa. Nov. 8, 1999)
Fanning v. Black & Decker, Inc., 1999 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 3407 (E.D. Pa. March 18, 1999)
Duffy v. Nationwide Mut. Ins. Co., 1993 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 16197 (E.D. Pa. Nov. 10, 1993)
Kimmel v. Nationwide Mut. Ins. Co., 1992 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 329 (E.D. Pa. Jan 14, 1992)
Pilong v. Rome, 555 Pa. 559 (1999)
Thought Leadership
Frequent Lecturer on The Art of Negotiation, Pennsylvania Premises Liability Laws and The Pennsylvania Retail Theft Act
Chair and course planner, Mealey's LexisNexis's annual national Retail and Hospitality Law seminar
Chair and course planner Pennsylvania Bar Institute's Premises Liability Seminars
"A Merchant's Guide to Enforcing Pennsylvania's Retail Theft Act," The Pennsylvania Retailer
"Pleadings Really Count in Premises Liability," Pennsylvania Law Weekly
"Appraising Loss Under Homeowners Insurance Policies," For the Defense
"The Superior Court of Pennsylvania Finally Rules on the Necessity of Disclosing Surveillance Videotapes Prior to Trial," Defense Digest
"No Blind Man's Bluff; Disabled Store Employee Open & Obvious," Defense Digest
"Trivial/DeMinimus Defects Clarified," Defense Digest