Jeffrey J. Chomko

Successfully defended insurance agent in a Maryland Insurance Department investigation involving a customer complaint concerning the sale of life insurance policies. The complaint alleged the agent oversold life insurance to a couple who claimed the amount of insurance was excessive, unsuitable and unnecessary. Jeffrey was able to demonstrate to the regulators that the agent did a thorough job in explaining the need and purpose for the coverage, and that the couple could afford the coverage, and actually drove the decision to purchase the policies. They only changed their mind later, after the client was criticized by a subsequent insurance agent. Jeffrey also shut down a Certified Financial Planner Board investigation involving the same matter. 

Successfully gained dismissal of an action against an insurance agent in Wyoming County Pennsylvania on a matter involving the sale by an agent of a number of mutual funds (IRA retirement funds). In this case, the plaintiff contended the mutual funds were excessive and unsuitable. Jeffrey convinced the trial court judge that plaintiff’s counsel’s lack of activity for several years on the case, and his failure to respond to long-outstanding discovery, warranted a full dismissal of the lawsuit.

Defense verdict obtained on behalf of a registered investment advisor and broker-dealer following a four day jury trial in Schuylkill County.  The registered investment advisor and broker dealer were sued by their former client for investment losses.  The Plaintiff was a paraplegic whose wealth was obtained through a jury verdict and settlements related to his injuries.  The case was defended on the basis that the registered investment advisor met the standard of care and did not breach any duties owed to the Plaintiff, as well as the fact that the Plaintiff was net profitable in his investments.  The Plaintiff sought to "cherry pick" losing investments from an overall profitable portfolio.  

Represented and obtained dismissal of an insurance agent in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas in a matter involving an insurance policy the agent had sold to a professional hockey player. When the player's widow brought a claim for a breach of the standard of care,  Jeffrey successfully argued that no duty was owed or breached.

Obtained summary judgment in a binding arbitration on behalf of an insurance agent against a well-known Philadelphia restauranteur in a dispute involving the assessment of a co-insurance penalty. Succesfully argued that the insured's own conduct barred him from obtaining recovery.

Obtained summary judgement on behalf of an insurance agent and agency against a lawyer/plaintiff in a case involving the placement of coverage for a residential commercial property in Philadelphia. Successfully argued that no breach of contract claim was manifested.

Successfully resolved a condominium dispute involving a resident who sued a condominium board and its individual officers in tort and contract, by establishing that the board acted properly in its management and oversight of the property.

Successfully defended claims for declaratory, injunctive and monetary relief on behalf of a non-profit retirement organization by arguing that the entity acted properly in assisting its members in purchasing and residing in a Center City condominium, despite claims by existing residents that the organization's members should not be permitted to live there, due to advanced age. Successfully utilized a Human Relations Commission decision on behalf of the elderly residents to effectively bring an end to the civil litigation.

Successfully argued that a policy of life insurance is not bound until the policy of insurance is actually delivered and is paid for by the policyholder.

Successfully able to reduce and resolve multi-million dollar settlement demands down to less than a fraction of the damages claimed. In one instance, the demand was for $1.6 million and was resolved for $245,000. In another instance, the demand was for $2.1 million and the case was resolved for $160,000.

Through the use of inspection, engineering, or construction experts, was able to resolve for pennies on the dollar cases with high exposure, including extra-contractual damage exposure.

Successfully employed the use of appraisers, conduct experts, and cause and origin experts to resolve multiple matters involving potential exposure in excess of $1  million for fractions of that amount.