Theodore M. Schaer is regularly hired by some of the nation’s largest insurers, third party administrators, motor carriers and businesses to defend lawsuits. Since 1987, Ted has routinely defended GL, transportation, liquor liability, strict liability, and professional liability claims. He serves as National and Regional Counsel to several national accounts. Under Ted’s guidance and supervision, Zarwin Baum has a uniquely experienced Catastrophic Accident Response Team (“CAT Team”) staffed 24/7, 365 days per year. Working with a team of experts and investigators, numerous carriers and self-insureds rely on Ted’s expertise to direct the CAT team’s early investigation and manage large claim exposure.
Ted has tried more than 50 trials to verdict in a number of states. He is an AV® rated attorney by Martindale-Hubbell, a Certified Trial Attorney by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and has been consistently selected to the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Super Lawyers lists since 2006. He is Board certified in Privacy and US Data Protection (CIPP/US). Ted advises clients on privacy and cyber related issues and leads the Firm’s data breach response team. Ted completed the CLM Litigation Management Institute and has successfully obtained his Certified Litigation Management Professional designation (CLMP). Ted also received his Advanced Claims Professional designation in 2020. He has been Board Certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy since 2006. At Zarwin Baum, Ted serves as Director and Chair of Litigation and Chair of the Data Privacy and Cyber Security Group.
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Trucking and Transportation (Jury Trial)
Zarwin Baum Director, Ted Schaer, and Shareholder, Ross Di Bono, recently tried a case in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas in front of Judge Michael Erdos. Faced with a non-negotiable demand of $3,500,000. Zarwin’s client is a national bus company. The Plaintiff was injured in a rear-end motor vehicle accident where his vehicle was rear-ended and pushed into the oncoming lane of traffic. This resulted in a severe front-end collision with a large box truck. The impact with the box trucks caused a severe and life-altering crush injury to Plaintiff’s left foot. As a result, Plaintiff filed suit and claimed that his injuries would prevent him from meaningful employment for the rest of his life.
Trucking and Transportation (Jury Trial)
& Events
JURY TRIALS 2022
Zarwin Baum Director, Ted Schaer, and Shareholder, Ross Di Bono, recently tried a case in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas in front of Judge Michael Erdos. Faced with a non-negotiable demand of $3,500,000. Zarwin’s client is a national bus company. The Plaintiff was injured in a rear-end motor vehicle accident where his vehicle was rear-ended and pushed into the oncoming lane of traffic. This resulted in a severe front-end collision with a large box truck. The impact with the box trucks caused a severe and life-altering crush injury to Plaintiff’s left foot. As a result, Plaintiff filed suit and claimed that his injuries would prevent him from meaningful employment for the rest of his life. Despite all parties residing in Pike County, PA, over three hours from Philadelphia, Plaintiff filed suit in Philadelphia, hoping to benefit from Philadelphia’s reputation as an overly Plaintiff friendly jurisdiction. Due to the significant evidence that the defendant driver was at fault, negligence and no comparative fault on the Plaintiff was conceded pre-trial. The case was tried solely on damages. At the time of this incident, Plaintiff had just started a job selling radio advertising. His experts opined that he was likely to make at least $57,800 per year in that job but would only earn around $33,000 per year as a result of his injuries. At trial, Ted cross-examined the Plaintiff with numerous social media posts showing that he had ultimately returned to a normal life. Multiple Instagram posts showed the Plaintiff riding his motorcycle, camping, and teaching motorcycle safety. Confident that their cross-examination of Plaintiff’s experts demonstrates the specious nature of Plaintiff’s alleged economic damages, Ted and Ross rested the defense without calling any witnesses. After deliberating for over 3 hours, the jury agreed and awarded Plaintiff just under $750,000. The award indicated that the jury compensated Plaintiff for his injuries, medical expenses, and past wages but flat out rejected the claim of a longstanding and significant future lost wage claim. The award also indicated that the jury did not believe that Plaintiff was unable to enjoy his life following this incident. Ted’s closing argument also raised questions as to why a Pike County accident was brought to Philadelphia County.
JURY TRIALS 2021
Ted Schaer defended a local Fortune 100 Company during a heavily-contested two-week IN PERSON JURY trial in the Court of Common Pleas of Philadelphia. The trial involved horrific injuries incurred by a pedestrian struck by the defendant’s vehicle in the roadway. Despite an admission of negligence by the Company, Schaer’s unique trial strategy caused enough doubt in the Juror’s minds to prevent a verdict following 15 hours of jury deliberations on the issues of recklessness, comparative negligence, and damages. The matter was able to be settled on favorable terms after the jury informed the court on two occasions that they were hopelessly deadlocked. This was one of the first large-scale catastrophic injury trials under Philadelphia’s strict Covid protocols that required Schaer to wear a mask, microphone, and sit apart from his team. Despite these logistical obstacles, the Zarwin attorneys were still able to connect with the jury to sufficiently convince, at least a few of them, of the plaintiff’s own fault.
JURY TRIALS TO COMPLETION 2019
DATA PRIVACY AND NETWORK SECURITY
Taha v Bucks County Pennsylvania. United States District Eastern District of Pennsylvania May 2019 Two months before trial, Ted Schaer, a shareholder at Zarwin Baum was asked by a colleague at another firm to serve as lead counsel in a Federal Class Action that was already in the process of litigation for seven years involving 68,000 violations of the Pennsylvania Criminal History Records Information Act. The case involved the far-reaching implications of the Bucks County Department of Corrections’ decision to upload to the internet the criminal histories of every individual who was arrested in Bucks County from 1938 to 2013. The purpose was to create an inmate lookup tool that contained arrest photos, FBI numbers, all charges and other identifiable descriptors. At trial, Schaer explained to the jury the potential harm that could come from this inmate lookup tool. These harms included criminal stigmatization leading to loss of employment and housing opportunities, expunged records being made public, and cyber security measures failing to prevent the taking of data by illicit websites. Thousands of class members were never convicted of any crime, but because they were arrested, their records were released as part of the lookup tool. Many class members were charged with offenses at the time of their arrest but later were reduced or dismissed. Many members thought that their criminal records were to be expunged but weren’t. The inmate lookup tool violated state law and unfairly created a profile of criminal behavior for thousands of people who were ultimately convicted of no offense or for only very minor offenses. The Honorable Wendy Beetlestone presided over the case and had already ruled that Bucks County’s actions violated CHRIA. Ted was tasked with demonstrating to a federal jury that the violation was “willful”. The result of a willful violation according to CHRIA are sanctions of at least $1,000 per violation. The jury came back in less than three hours and found that Bucks County’s conduct was willful and awarded each class member $1,000. This jury verdict creates potential exposure of $68,000,000 to Bucks County. This landmark verdict is the largest returned against a governmental agency for violation of privacy and inadequate cyber security. More importantly, this verdict demonstrated to all the Counties in this Commonwealth that the privacy of its citizens and individuals who may be arrested is important and must be treated with due care. Post trial motions were denied by the lower Court and the matter is currently on appeal in the Third Circuit. Here is a link to the article discussing the verdict: https://www.law360.com/articles/1163520/pa-county-hit-with-up-to-68m-in-damages-in-privacy-case
LIQUOR LIABILITY
Plaintiff’s Verdict, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania. Plaintiff’s Estate brought suit against a bar and 10 individually named employees claiming that the Plaintiffs’ 21-year-old son, Shane Montgomery, was served alcohol while visibly intoxicated on Thanksgiving Eve in 2014. Mr. Montgomery had been out drinking with several friends and had drank at 3 bars prior to entering Kildare’s. Mr. Montgomery’s body was found in the Schuylkill River after a 38-day search and it was determined that he had drowned. Plaintiffs alleged that Mr. Montgomery’s death was a result of his intoxication. Mr. Montgomery’s death received significant local and national media attention. Prior to verdict, Mr. Schaer, lead trial counsel and his second chair, Mr. Shapiro were able secure the dismissal of 7 of the individual employees named in the law suit. The trial lasted for 4 weeks and involved the testimony of more than 20 fact and expert witnesses, but after only 5 hours of deliberation, the jury found that Mr. Montgomery was 50% responsible for his injuries, Kildare’s was 35% responsible for his injuries and Mad River (the bar Mr. Montgomery drank at prior to Kildare’s) was 15% responsible for Mr. Montgomery’s injuries. Punitive damages were allowed to go out to the jury, however, the jury also found that punitive damages were not appropriate in this case and that none of the individually named employees of Kildare’s acted improperly. Overall, the jury awarded $1.5 million in damages with Plaintiffs recovering $525,000 from Kildare’s. Plaintiffs’ most recent demand was in excess of $10 million. The last offer of settlement was far in excess of the net verdict. The trial was covered by the Philadelphia Inquirer and below is a link to the article discussing the verdict; https://www.philly.com/news/shane-montgomery-philadelphia-wrongful-death-lawsuit-verdict-manayunk-20190304.html
JURY TRIALS COMMENCED BUT NOT TO VERDICT 2017
In 2017 I handled five catastrophic injury cases on behalf of several primary and excess carriers. Each and every case underwent a full mock trial in anticipation of trial. All of the cases were resolved. Two of the five cases were settled after the commencement of trial. Settlement after three trial days. Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. After three days of trial, the Plaintiff accepted a significantly reduced settlement offer. Plaintiff was a 30 year old women and a patron of a public automated parking garage. Plaintiff was assaulted by a serial rapist. The pretrial settlement demand was ten million dollars. After three days of trial the Plaintiff’s attorney from the law firm Kline & Specter accepted an offer far below the initial demand for settlement. I was able to obtain significant participation from a codefendant property manager despite a no pay position up until trial commenced. Settlement after jury selection. Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas. After jury selection, Plaintiff accepted a significantly reduced offer of settlement. The initial demand of settlement was eighty million dollars. Plaintiff was a professional harness racer who fell during a race at a local track. Plaintiff suffered a TBI which caused him to be a limited functional quadriplegic. The case was settled shortly after decisions on Motions in Limine were decided and after defense counsel successfully convinced the trial judge to bifurcate the trial on liability and damages. Lead plaintiff counsel was highly respected trial attorney Robert Mongeluzzi.
JURY TRIALS TO COMPLETION 2016
GENERAL LIABILITY
Plaintiff Verdict, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Plaintiff suffered right eye blindness, cosmetic deformity and right ear deafness following a chemical exposure to his face while performing sanitation services at the Defendant’s meat processing plant. Plaintiff alleged that Defendant violated OSHA and ANSI by having insufficient number of eyewash stations located in its meat processing plant. Plaintiff, 28 at the time of his injury, also claimed total disability and the inability to return to work. Demand before trial was $22 million. Plaintiff was represented by premier Philadelphia plaintiff’s attorney, Robert Mongeluzzi. Trial lasted 12 trial days. The jury returned a net verdict in the amount of $1.570,000.00.
JURY TRIALS TO COMPLETION 2014
GENERAL LIABILITY
Defense Verdict, JNOV West Chester, Pennsylvania: Following a three day jury trial, a Chester County, Pennsylvania jury returned a plaintiff’s verdict in the amount of $150k with a finding of 50% comparative negligence. Plaintiffs, husband and wife, sought damages against the operators of a rock climbing gym for injuries Plaintiff wife sustained when she jumped from one of the climbing walls at the facility. At the time of trial, Plaintiff “boarded” in excess of $700k in past and future damages. Defendant insurance carrier maintained a “no offer” posture throughout the litigation. Defendant’s filed a Motion for Summary Judgment which argued that no duty was owed to protect Plaintiff wife from her injury as it was a known, obvious, and inherent risk of rock climbing which she knowingly and voluntarily assumed. The Motion was denied. At the conclusion of the Plaintiff’s case Defendant’s filed a Motion for an Involuntary Non Suit and Directed Verdict, which were also denied by the trial judge. A Motion for Post-Trial Relief was filed. Mr. Schaer presented oral argument on the Motion for Post Trial Relief on October 17, 2014. On November 18, 2014, the Court granted the Motion for Judgment Non Obstante Verdict (“JNOV”) in favor of the Defendant. The matter was appealed to the Pennsylvania Superior Court. Mr. Schaer on brief and oral argument was successful in having the JNOV affirmed.
JURY TRIALS TO COMPLETION 2013
BUS DEFENSE
Defense Verdict. Hudson County, New Jersey. Successfully defended bus driver and obtained a no cause after 7 trial days. At the time of impact, the Plaintiff was inside of the vehicle. Notwithstanding minimal contact between the bus and the parked car, the Plaintiff claimed to have undergone cervical fusion, lumbar fusion and shoulder surgery. The Plaintiff, aged 43, also claimed total disability and the inability to return to employment in the future. The Plaintiff’s damages included $800,000 in lost wages, $800,000 in lost household management services, roughly $3 million in hedonic damages, as well as pain and suffering, and permanent disability. The Plaintiff’s husband claimed damages for loss of consortium. The Plaintiff’s settlement demand was $3.5 million when the trial commenced. Schaer filed a Motion in Limine which for the first time in NJ a trial court held an admissibility hearing which precluded the use of hedonic damages. Verdict. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Successfully defended a national bus company in a 30 day jury trial where the Plaintiff claimed to have suffered permanent and disabling physical injuries including traumatic brain injury. Pre trial demand was $15,000,000.00. Plaintiff was represented by Thomas R. Kline. The jury returned a verdict of $677,000.00, well below the last offer of settlement.
TRUCK
Defense Verdict, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Following a five day jury trial and three hours of deliberations Philadelphia jury returned a verdict in the amount of $33,648.95 – almost $700,000 less than the Plaintiff’s last demand for settlement. In this case, liability was admitted and the sole focus of the trial was whether Plaintiff’s lumbar fusion was causally related to the accident. The jury agreed with the defense and returned this favorable verdict in a county that has a reputation for liberal awards.
CYBER, PRESENTATIONS & PUBLICATIONS
Ted Schaer presents, “Too Good to be True? The Disturbing Reality of Unregulated Technology Development” at the 2023 CLM Annual Conference, Tampa, March 2023
Ted Schaer presents, “Artificial Intelligence and the IOT Gone Rogue: A Cautionary Tale” at the 2022 CLM Emerging Claims Technology, November 2022
Ted Schaer served the 5th consecutive year as Co-Dean for the CLM Claims College for the annual session hosted this year in Baltimore from September 7-10, 2022
Ted Schaer presents,”Consumer Electronics and the IoT: Digital Evidence” session at the Property and Liability Resource Bureau(PRLB) Technology and Claims Symposium in Denver, Colorado, July 28-29, 2022
Ted Schaer moderates, “The Need for Speed and the 5G Revolution: Balancing Innovation and Risk” session at the 2021 CLM Focus: Cyber Liability, Extra-Contractual, Insurance Coverage, Claims & Litigation Management Event in New York City on December 2, 2021.
Published Article; “Cyber Armageddon: Ten Ways to Protect Your Law Firm from Annihilation” by Ted Schaer and Elizabeth S. Fitch, Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association publication, “The Verdict”, February 2021
Ted Schaer presents “The Domino Effect: The Catastrophic Financial Fallout from Insurance Brokers’ Failure to Procure Proper Cyber Insurance for Their Clients” at the 2020 Cyber, Management & Professional Liability Conference. The conference, originally scheduled to occur in Boston, adapted, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to a virtual three-day event, July 7-9, 2020
Ted Schaer presents “Threats and Vulnerabilities” for the CLM Cyber Claims College, 2020
Ted Schaer presents “Are We Summoning the Devil – Is Artificial Intelligence Killing Off Claims Professionals?” at the CLM 2019 Annual Conference, Orlando, Florida, March 13-14, 2019
Ted Schaer speaks on the panel at the 8th Annual National Cyber Liabilities Insurance ExecuSummit, Uncasville, CT, March 19-20, 2019
Ted Schaer speaks on the panel for Zarwin Baum’s Cyber Seminar “The Dark & Dirty Little Secrets of Cyber Insurance Coverage”, Philadelphia, December 12, 2018
Ted Schaer speaks on the panel for Alliant’s Cyber Seminar ‘How Exposed Is Your Bottom Line? Digital Disruption of Business Operations’, New York, NY, November 1, 2018
Ted Schaer presents ‘The Impact of Consumer Electronics Data on Data Liability Claims’ at the 2018 PLRB Regional Adjusters Conference, Hartford, Connecticut, October 30-31, 2018
Ted Schaer speaks on the panel for Mueller’s Cyber Security Educational Series “How Exposed is Your Bottom Line? Digital Disruption of Business Operations”, Lloyd’s Chicago, September 27, 2018
Ted Schaer presents ‘Surviving A Cyber Attack’ at Capital Insurance & Investment Planning’s CPE series for CPA’s, September 25, 2018, Philadelphia, PA
Ted Schaer speaks on the panel for Zarwin Baum’s Cyber Seminar “Shifting Your Cyber Risk to Protect Your Bottom Line”, Philadelphia, September 5, 2018
Ted Schaer speaks on the panel for Zarwin Baum’s Cyber Seminar “Cyber Events: What Officers, Directors and Owners Don’t Know and Why They Can Be Personally Liable for Damages”, Philadelphia, June 19, 2018
Ted Schaer speaks on the panel for the IADC’s Professional Liability Roundtable: Monsters in the Closet on “Artificial Intelligence: Robots, Monsters, or Helpful Friends?”, University of Chicago, May 17, 2018
Ted Schaer speaks on the panel for Zarwin Baum’s Cyber Seminar “How Exposed Is Your Bottom Line? Digital Disruption of Business Operations”, Philadelphia, April 12, 2018
Ted Schaer speaks on the panel for The Philadelphia Business Journal’s “Cybersecurity: Battling the Threat to Your Company”, Philadelphia, January 18, 2018
Ted Schaer speaks on the panel for PrimeGlobal’s webinar “Cybersecurity for the Healthcare Industry”, November 28, 2017
Ted Schaer presents, and is a panelist, at the National Cyber Conference, cosponsored by Business Insurance Magazine and CLM, “Get a Handle on Cyber Risks and Liabilities” New York, NY, October 6, 2017
Ted Schaer speaks on the panel for Center City Proprietors Associations (CCPA) “‘I think we’ve been hacked’ How to Avoid a Cyber Attack and What to do WHEN it Happens to Your Business”, Philadelphia, September 12, 2017
Published Article; “The Cyber Broker Insurance Coverage Conundrum: The First in a Two-Part Series on Cyber Insurance” Co-Author with Elizabeth S. Fitch. Wholesale Insurance News (WIN) Summer 2017 Volume 7 Issue 1, A publication of the American Association of Managing General Agents
Ted Schaer presents National Webinar sponsored by the Professional Liability Committee and Technology Committee, International Association of Defense Counsel, ‘The Inadvertent Lawyer: Beginning and Ending an Attorney-Client Relationship in the Electronic Age’, March 29, 2017
Ted Schaer speaks on the panel for the Fusion 2017 CEO-CIO Symposium ‘Understanding the Rapid Changes and Complexities of Underwriting Cyber Insurance”, University of Wisconsin, Madison, March 23, 2017
Ted Schaer presents a three hour ‘Cyber Liability and HIPPA Best Practices’ training seminar at North American Society of Periodontist, Atlanta Georgia, January 20, 2017
Ted Schaer presents on US Developments at the Insurance Market Conferences ‘Cyber Risks Seminar: The Risks, The Liabilities, The Cover’, London, November 16, 2016
Published Article: “Defining Attorney-Client Relationships In The Electronic Age” Co-Author with Elizabeth S. Fitch. Law360, August 26, 2016
Ted Schaer presents at IADC Conference ’10 Ways to Protect Your Law Firm from Cyber Annihilation’, Southampton, Bermuda, July 2016
Published Article; “Surviving The Cyber-Liability Avalanche: How Contracts with Business Partners and Vendors Expose Companies to Cyber-Liability”, Co-Author with Elizabeth S. Fitch. Wholesale Insurance News (WIN) Spring 2016 Volume 5 Issue 4, A publication of the American Association of Managing General Agents
Ted Schaer presents ‘Cyber Liability: Emerging Trends and Best Practices to Mitigate Harm to your Organization’ at The Legal Intelligencer’s In-House Counsel CLE Program, March 23, 2016
Ted Schaer Hosts Breakfast Seminar on Data Security and Privacy, February 23, 2016
Ted Schaer Talks Minimizing Cyber Breach on AM Best Insurance Law Podcast, February 11, 2016
Ted Schaer Named Co-Dean of Claims in Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) School of Cyber Claims, January 27, 2016
Published Article; “Cyber Armageddon: Survival or Annihilation?” by Ted Schaer and Elizabeth S. Fitch, International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) December newsletter, December 21, 2015
Ted Schaer presents National Webinar, ‘Cyber Liability, Emerging Trends and Coverage’ to a leading group of insurance professionals, November 18, 2015
Ted Schaer Talks Cyber Security on KYW Newsradio, September 30, 2015
Published Article; “The Year of the Cyber Breach” Co-Author with Elizabeth S. Fitch, March 2015 International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) Professional Liability Newsletter
Ted Schaer Talks Cyber Security and Cyber Liability On AM Best Insurance Law Podcast, March 4, 2015
Published Article; ‘Tis The Season For Cybersecurity Breaches”, Philadelphia Business Journal Blog, Dec 9, 2014
ADDITIONAL PRESENTATIONS and PRESS
2023 Presented at the CLM Spotlight: Transportation event in Philadelphia, “The Changing Landscape of Jury Trials and Verdicts in Philadelphia (and everywhere else)”
2023 Presented at the ClaimsXchange event in New Orleans, “Tower Of Power or Raging Inferno”
2022 Interview on The Soloff & Zervanos Show on WWWDB Talk 860
2021 Presented at Magna Legal Service’s “Battle of the Experts” CLE Event
2020 Magna Legal Services Webinar: COVID-19: Impact on Jury Research
2018 Themis Advocacy Group Conference ‘Emerging Risks of Spoliation of Evidence and Ways to Contain Exposure’ London, England
2017 Training Seminar ‘Cyber Liability and HIPPA Best Practices’ North American Society of Periodontist 2016 IMC Cyber Risks Seminar ‘The Risks, The Liabilities, The Cover,’ U.S. Developments, London, England
2016 EDIC Risk Control Workshop, To Report or Not Report – How to Reduce Your Bottom Line by Report Losses Early
2016 Catastrophic Emergency Response Seminar, Speaker on Accident Investigation
2016 Temple University Fox School of Business, Legal Strategies in Communication
2010 Magna Conference, NYC of Trial Tactics and Technology in the Courtroom Invited Speaker
2009 Long Term Care from a Private Attorney’s Perspective, Institute of Protective Services’ Solicitor Training
2009 New Trends in Technology in the Trucking Industry, Dispute Resolution Institute Symposium
2008 Dram Shop: Overview of a Lawsuit, Apex Insurance Mangers
2006 Trucking Defense: Investigation of Serious Trucking Accidents, National Safety Meeting, Roadlink USA
2006 Continuing Education Seminar: Update on New Jersey Auto Law
2004 Temple University: Guest Speaker, Legal Strategies in Communications
2004 Fox 29 News, Philadelphia: Expert Guest on Signs and Prevention of Elder Abuse
2000 National Business Institute: Trying the Soft Tissue Injury Case
1999 Cigna/Esis Risk Management: Litigating the Motor Coach Accident
1989 Philadelphia Bar Association Case Review: The Trial of Agresta v City of Philadelphia
ADDITIONAL PUBLICATIONS
“Emergency Response to Catastrophic Trucking Accidents: A New Approach to Preparing for the Aftermath”, Wholesale Insurance News (WIN) Summer 2011 Volume 1 Issue 2, A publication of the American Association of Managing General Agents
“Spoliation of Evidence: A Compendium of State and Federal Law” Co-Author, Defense Research Institute Compendium, Third Circuit, United States Federal Judicial District
“Disclosure the Best Antiseptic to Prevent Lawsuits” Art. XV October 2000, The Redwoods Insurance Group Electronic Magazine
“Trying the Soft Tissue Injury Case, Perspective from the Defense.” Co-Author National Business Institute Press. 2000
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
2016 – 2022 Co-Dean, CLM Cyber Claims College
2010-2012 Temple University Fox School of Business, Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Adjunct Professor, Legal Issues in Communication Management.
Multiple case by case Pro Hoc Vice admissions in Texas, Ohio, Indiana, Washington, Florida, New York
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana
New Jersey District Court Third Circuit Court of Appeals
Pennsylvania
New Jersey
American Bar Association
American Trucking Association
Defense Research Institute
Judge Pro Tem, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas
Philadelphia Bar Association
Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association
Professional Liability Underwriting Society
Temple University School of Law, Alumni Association
THEMIS Advocates Group
Temple University, J.D.
The American University, B.S.
2020 Advanced Claims Professional. CLM Management Institute
2016 Certified Litigation Management Professional. CLM Management Institute
2014-present, Certified International Association of Privacy Professionals Certified Individual Privacy Professionals/United States (CIPP/US)
2001- present, Certified Civil Trial Advocate. National Board of Trial Advocacy, Approved by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court
2003-present, Judge Pro Tem. First Judicial District, Pennsylvania
2003-present, “AV” Rated Attorney. Martindale-Hubble
1994-present, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Arbitrator
CYBER, PRESENTATIONS & PUBLICATIONS
Ted Schaer presents, “Too Good to be True? The Disturbing Reality of Unregulated Technology Development” at the 2023 CLM Annual Conference, Tampa, March 2023
Ted Schaer presents, “Artificial Intelligence and the IOT Gone Rogue: A Cautionary Tale” at the 2022 CLM Emerging Claims Technology, November 2022
Ted Schaer served the 5th consecutive year as Co-Dean for the CLM Claims College for the annual session hosted this year in Baltimore from September 7-10, 2022
Ted Schaer presents,”Consumer Electronics and the IoT: Digital Evidence” session at the Property and Liability Resource Bureau(PRLB) Technology and Claims Symposium in Denver, Colorado, July 28-29, 2022
Ted Schaer moderates, “The Need for Speed and the 5G Revolution: Balancing Innovation and Risk” session at the 2021 CLM Focus: Cyber Liability, Extra-Contractual, Insurance Coverage, Claims & Litigation Management Event in New York City on December 2, 2021.
Published Article; “Cyber Armageddon: Ten Ways to Protect Your Law Firm from Annihilation” by Ted Schaer and Elizabeth S. Fitch, Philadelphia Trial Lawyers Association publication, “The Verdict”, February 2021
Ted Schaer presents “The Domino Effect: The Catastrophic Financial Fallout from Insurance Brokers’ Failure to Procure Proper Cyber Insurance for Their Clients” at the 2020 Cyber, Management & Professional Liability Conference. The conference, originally scheduled to occur in Boston, adapted, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, to a virtual three-day event, July 7-9, 2020
Ted Schaer presents “Threats and Vulnerabilities” for the CLM Cyber Claims College, 2020
Ted Schaer presents “Are We Summoning the Devil – Is Artificial Intelligence Killing Off Claims Professionals?” at the CLM 2019 Annual Conference, Orlando, Florida, March 13-14, 2019
Ted Schaer speaks on the panel at the 8th Annual National Cyber Liabilities Insurance ExecuSummit, Uncasville, CT, March 19-20, 2019
Ted Schaer speaks on the panel for Zarwin Baum’s Cyber Seminar “The Dark & Dirty Little Secrets of Cyber Insurance Coverage”, Philadelphia, December 12, 2018
Ted Schaer speaks on the panel for Alliant’s Cyber Seminar ‘How Exposed Is Your Bottom Line? Digital Disruption of Business Operations’, New York, NY, November 1, 2018
Ted Schaer presents ‘The Impact of Consumer Electronics Data on Data Liability Claims’ at the 2018 PLRB Regional Adjusters Conference, Hartford, Connecticut, October 30-31, 2018
Ted Schaer speaks on the panel for Mueller’s Cyber Security Educational Series “How Exposed is Your Bottom Line? Digital Disruption of Business Operations”, Lloyd’s Chicago, September 27, 2018
Ted Schaer presents ‘Surviving A Cyber Attack’ at Capital Insurance & Investment Planning’s CPE series for CPA’s, September 25, 2018, Philadelphia, PA
Ted Schaer speaks on the panel for Zarwin Baum’s Cyber Seminar “Shifting Your Cyber Risk to Protect Your Bottom Line”, Philadelphia, September 5, 2018
Ted Schaer speaks on the panel for Zarwin Baum’s Cyber Seminar “Cyber Events: What Officers, Directors and Owners Don’t Know and Why They Can Be Personally Liable for Damages”, Philadelphia, June 19, 2018
Ted Schaer speaks on the panel for the IADC’s Professional Liability Roundtable: Monsters in the Closet on “Artificial Intelligence: Robots, Monsters, or Helpful Friends?”, University of Chicago, May 17, 2018
Ted Schaer speaks on the panel for Zarwin Baum’s Cyber Seminar “How Exposed Is Your Bottom Line? Digital Disruption of Business Operations”, Philadelphia, April 12, 2018
Ted Schaer speaks on the panel for The Philadelphia Business Journal’s “Cybersecurity: Battling the Threat to Your Company”, Philadelphia, January 18, 2018
Ted Schaer speaks on the panel for PrimeGlobal’s webinar “Cybersecurity for the Healthcare Industry”, November 28, 2017
Ted Schaer presents, and is a panelist, at the National Cyber Conference, cosponsored by Business Insurance Magazine and CLM, “Get a Handle on Cyber Risks and Liabilities” New York, NY, October 6, 2017
Ted Schaer speaks on the panel for Center City Proprietors Associations (CCPA) “‘I think we’ve been hacked’ How to Avoid a Cyber Attack and What to do WHEN it Happens to Your Business”, Philadelphia, September 12, 2017
Published Article; “The Cyber Broker Insurance Coverage Conundrum: The First in a Two-Part Series on Cyber Insurance” Co-Author with Elizabeth S. Fitch. Wholesale Insurance News (WIN) Summer 2017 Volume 7 Issue 1, A publication of the American Association of Managing General Agents
Ted Schaer presents National Webinar sponsored by the Professional Liability Committee and Technology Committee, International Association of Defense Counsel, ‘The Inadvertent Lawyer: Beginning and Ending an Attorney-Client Relationship in the Electronic Age’, March 29, 2017
Ted Schaer speaks on the panel for the Fusion 2017 CEO-CIO Symposium ‘Understanding the Rapid Changes and Complexities of Underwriting Cyber Insurance”, University of Wisconsin, Madison, March 23, 2017
Ted Schaer presents a three hour ‘Cyber Liability and HIPPA Best Practices’ training seminar at North American Society of Periodontist, Atlanta Georgia, January 20, 2017
Ted Schaer presents on US Developments at the Insurance Market Conferences ‘Cyber Risks Seminar: The Risks, The Liabilities, The Cover’, London, November 16, 2016
Published Article: “Defining Attorney-Client Relationships In The Electronic Age” Co-Author with Elizabeth S. Fitch. Law360, August 26, 2016
Ted Schaer presents at IADC Conference ’10 Ways to Protect Your Law Firm from Cyber Annihilation’, Southampton, Bermuda, July 2016
Published Article; “Surviving The Cyber-Liability Avalanche: How Contracts with Business Partners and Vendors Expose Companies to Cyber-Liability”, Co-Author with Elizabeth S. Fitch. Wholesale Insurance News (WIN) Spring 2016 Volume 5 Issue 4, A publication of the American Association of Managing General Agents
Ted Schaer presents ‘Cyber Liability: Emerging Trends and Best Practices to Mitigate Harm to your Organization’ at The Legal Intelligencer’s In-House Counsel CLE Program, March 23, 2016
Ted Schaer Hosts Breakfast Seminar on Data Security and Privacy, February 23, 2016
Ted Schaer Talks Minimizing Cyber Breach on AM Best Insurance Law Podcast, February 11, 2016
Ted Schaer Named Co-Dean of Claims in Litigation Management Alliance (CLM) School of Cyber Claims, January 27, 2016
Published Article; “Cyber Armageddon: Survival or Annihilation?” by Ted Schaer and Elizabeth S. Fitch, International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) December newsletter, December 21, 2015
Ted Schaer presents National Webinar, ‘Cyber Liability, Emerging Trends and Coverage’ to a leading group of insurance professionals, November 18, 2015
Ted Schaer Talks Cyber Security on KYW Newsradio, September 30, 2015
Published Article; “The Year of the Cyber Breach” Co-Author with Elizabeth S. Fitch, March 2015 International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) Professional Liability Newsletter
Ted Schaer Talks Cyber Security and Cyber Liability On AM Best Insurance Law Podcast, March 4, 2015
Published Article; ‘Tis The Season For Cybersecurity Breaches”, Philadelphia Business Journal Blog, Dec 9, 2014
ADDITIONAL PRESENTATIONS and PRESS
2023 Presented at the CLM Spotlight: Transportation event in Philadelphia, “The Changing Landscape of Jury Trials and Verdicts in Philadelphia (and everywhere else)”
2023 Presented at the ClaimsXchange event in New Orleans, “Tower Of Power or Raging Inferno”
2022 Interview on The Soloff & Zervanos Show on WWWDB Talk 860
2021 Presented at Magna Legal Service’s “Battle of the Experts” CLE Event
2020 Magna Legal Services Webinar: COVID-19: Impact on Jury Research
2018 Themis Advocacy Group Conference ‘Emerging Risks of Spoliation of Evidence and Ways to Contain Exposure’ London, England
2017 Training Seminar ‘Cyber Liability and HIPPA Best Practices’ North American Society of Periodontist 2016 IMC Cyber Risks Seminar ‘The Risks, The Liabilities, The Cover,’ U.S. Developments, London, England
2016 EDIC Risk Control Workshop, To Report or Not Report – How to Reduce Your Bottom Line by Report Losses Early
2016 Catastrophic Emergency Response Seminar, Speaker on Accident Investigation
2016 Temple University Fox School of Business, Legal Strategies in Communication
2010 Magna Conference, NYC of Trial Tactics and Technology in the Courtroom Invited Speaker
2009 Long Term Care from a Private Attorney’s Perspective, Institute of Protective Services’ Solicitor Training
2009 New Trends in Technology in the Trucking Industry, Dispute Resolution Institute Symposium
2008 Dram Shop: Overview of a Lawsuit, Apex Insurance Mangers
2006 Trucking Defense: Investigation of Serious Trucking Accidents, National Safety Meeting, Roadlink USA
2006 Continuing Education Seminar: Update on New Jersey Auto Law
2004 Temple University: Guest Speaker, Legal Strategies in Communications
2004 Fox 29 News, Philadelphia: Expert Guest on Signs and Prevention of Elder Abuse
2000 National Business Institute: Trying the Soft Tissue Injury Case
1999 Cigna/Esis Risk Management: Litigating the Motor Coach Accident
1989 Philadelphia Bar Association Case Review: The Trial of Agresta v City of Philadelphia
ADDITIONAL PUBLICATIONS
“Emergency Response to Catastrophic Trucking Accidents: A New Approach to Preparing for the Aftermath”, Wholesale Insurance News (WIN) Summer 2011 Volume 1 Issue 2, A publication of the American Association of Managing General Agents
“Spoliation of Evidence: A Compendium of State and Federal Law” Co-Author, Defense Research Institute Compendium, Third Circuit, United States Federal Judicial District
“Disclosure the Best Antiseptic to Prevent Lawsuits” Art. XV October 2000, The Redwoods Insurance Group Electronic Magazine
“Trying the Soft Tissue Injury Case, Perspective from the Defense.” Co-Author National Business Institute Press. 2000
ACADEMIC APPOINTMENTS
2016 – 2022 Co-Dean, CLM Cyber Claims College
2010-2012 Temple University Fox School of Business, Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Adjunct Professor, Legal Issues in Communication Management.