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Attorney Profiles

Arthur W. Lefco 
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Shareholder
phone(215) 575-2588
fax(215) 575-0856
emailawlefco@mdwcg.com

Arthur W. ("Terry") Lefco has developed a reputation as one of the Philadelphia areas' most experienced and accomplished trial lawyers in professional liability, coverage, and commercial litigation cases. His fellow lawyers and their insurers routinely seek out his advice, counsel, and representation.

Terry's service to the bar and the public in law-related fields, such as the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board, the American Law Institute, the University of Pennsylvania Law School, and the Philadelphia and Pennsylvania Bar Associations, has been extensive. He has written and lectured often in the areas of lawyers' professional liability and professional responsibilities.

Terry has been named as a Best Lawyer in America for 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2012 as well as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer for 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010 in the area of Lawyer's Professional Liability Defense.

Significant Representative Matters

  • Atkinson v. Haug, 424 Pa. Super. 406, 622 A.2d 983 (Pa. Super. 1993) (Redefined implied attorney client relationship under PA Law.

  • Home Ins. Co. v. Powell, 1996 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 6863 (E.D. Pa. 1996). Malpractice insurance coverage based on subjective / objective analysis of lawyer's knowledge

  • Oliver v. Sid Bernstein, Ltd., 1997 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 3276 (E.D. Pa. 1997). Jury verdict in favor of lawyer on fraud claim relating to escrow account.

  • Int'l Land Acquisitions, Inc. v. Fausto, 39 Fed. Appx. 751, 2002 U.S. App. LEXIS 13256 (3d Circuit Court of Appeals 2002). Plaintiff's expert testimony in legal malpractice case defective where no opinion on causation.

  • UA Theatre Circuit, Inc. v. Twp. of Warrington, 316 F.3d 392, 2003 U.S. App. LEXIS 515 (3d Cir. Pa. 2003).Established requirement in 3rd Circuit that denial of substantive due process requires conduct which shocks the conscience.

  • Nixon v. Fax.com, 196 F. Supp. 2d 920 (Ed MO 2002).Declared Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1992 unconstitutional in defense of First Amendment.

  • Capital Care v. Hunt, 847 A.2d 75 (PA Super. 2004).Restated standard for scope of attorney duty to client.
    • Year Joined Organization:
    2002
    Areas of Practice:
    Legal and Accounting Malpractice Defense
    Civil Rights
    Insurance Coverage
    Commercial Litigation
    D & O Litigation
    Bar Admissions:
    Pennsylvania, 1971
    U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 1972
    U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit, 1977
    U.S. Supreme Court, 1984
    Education:
    University of Pennsylvania Law School, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 1971
    J.D.


    Michigan State University, 1968
    B.S.


    Published Works:
    Insurance Claim Information May Be Discoverable, ABA Journal, July, 2000


    Wrongful Use of Civil Proceedings, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 2000


    Successful Termination in Wrongful Use of Civil Proceedings Cases, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, PBI No. 2000-2546 B


    Common Causes of Legal Malpractice and How to Avoid Them, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, PBI No. 1999-2339


    Classes/Seminars Taught:
    Malpractice Avoidance Seminars - Delaware County Bar Association, Montgomery County Bar Association, Bucks County Bar Association, 2008 - 2010


    Numerous Malpractice Avoidance Seminars - Pennsylvania Law Firms, 1990 - 2010


    Malpractice Avoidance Seminar, Conference of County Bar Leaders, State College, Pennsylvania, March 4, 2005


    Avoiding Malpractice Liability, Pennsylvania Bar Association, Reading, Pennsylvania, April 19, 2005


    Special Problems of Lawyer Experts, Pennsylvania Bar Association Civil Litigation Section, Annual Retreat, April 11-13, 2003


    Hot Topics in Business Litigation, Professional Education Systems, Inc., November 19, 2002


    Legal Ethics in Pennsylvania, Lorman Education Services, September 18, 2002


    Avoiding and Dealing With Tax Malpractice Cases, Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants, Greater Philadelphia Chapter, November 28, 2001


    Honors and Awards:
    Alumni Award of Merit, University of Pennsylvania Law School


    AV Peer Review Rating by LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell


    Pennsylvania Super Lawyer (2005-2011)


    Best Lawyers in America® (2007-Present)


    Philadelphia Best Lawyers (2009, 2010)


    Professional Associations and Memberships:
    American Bar Association


    American Law Institute, Elected Member


    Association of Professional Responsibility Lawyers


    Court of Common Pleas, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania, Judge Pro Tempore, 1994 to present


    Insurance Programs Committee, Philadelphia Bar Association, 1983 - Present. Past Chair


    Pennsylvania Bar Association, Professional Liability Committee, Vice Chair 2010


    Pennsylvania Supreme Court Disciplinary Board. Member, Hearing Committee, 1998 - 2001. Chair, Hearing Committee, 2001 - 2004.


    University of Pennsylvania Law School Alumni Society, 1995 - Present. Past President.


    Past Employment Positions:
    Cozen O'Connor, Senior Member, 1998 - 2002


    Sherr, Joffe & Zuckerman P.C., Shareholder, 1994 - 1998


    Mesirov, Gelman, Jaffe, Cramer & Jamieson, Associate to Partner, 1975 - 1994


    Philadelphia Housing Authority, General Counsel, 1973 - 1975

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