Daniel E. Cummins
Northeastern Pennsylvania Insurance Defense Attorney with the Scranton law firm of Foley, Comerford & Cummins
OVERVIEW
About Daniel E. Cummins
Daniel E. Cummins, Esquire is a partner in the Scranton, Pennsylvania law firm of Foley, Comerford & Cummins with 15 years of insurance defense experience in Northeastern Pennsylvania, including insurance defense work in the Poconos area and the surrounding counties.
He is currently accepting new clients along with other referrals including service as local counsel, defense arbitrator, or mediator in matters arising in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Attorney Cummins practices in the state and federal courts that cover the Northeastern Pennsylvania counties that include, but are not limited to, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wyoming, Sullivan, Bradford, Monroe, Northampton, Carbon, Lehigh, Schuylkill, Columbia, Northumberland, Montour, and Lycoming.
Mr. Cummins has focused his practice on defending motor vehicle accident liability cases and UIM/UM arbitration matters along with premises liability and products liability cases. Mr. Cummins is also routinely summoned by his clients to handle matters involving insurance coverage questions and insurance subrogation claims.
Attorney Cummins is a cum laude graduate of Villanova University ('90, B.A., English) after which he attended the Dickinson School of Law ('93, J.D.) and completed his law school studies at the University of London in London, England (Spring, '93).
After graduating from law school, Mr. Cummins served as the Senior Law Clerk for the Honorable Harold A. Thomson, Jr. in the Pike County Court of Common Pleas for two years before going into private practice, where he has focused on insurance defense litigation ever since.
Along the way, in addition to practicing law, Mr. Cummins has also worked as an adjunct instructor for the paralegal program at the Worthington-Scranton campus of Penn State University.
AWARD-WINNING CIVIL LITIGATION COLUMNIST/WRITER/BLOGGER
Mr. Cummins has published many articles that have appeared in the Pennsylvania Law Weekly, the Pennsylvania Bar Quarterly, the Pennsylvania Lawyer magazine, and the Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal. Attorney Cummins' numerous articles have analyzed and predicted trends in a wide variety of areas of civil litigation law and have also provided practice tips for fellow members of the bar.
More recently, at the request of the editors of the Pennsylvania Law Weekly, a statewide legal news publication, Attorney Cummins has become a regularly contributing columnist on civil litigation issues. As noted below, several of his articles have been recognized for their excellence in legal journalism.
As a complement to his Pennsylvania civil litigation column in the Pennsylvania Law Weekly, Attorney Cummins also recently started a blog on the same topic, the first of its kind by a Northeastern Pennsylvania attorney. The blog, which provides updates on cases and trends in Pennsylvania civil litigation law, can be found at www.torttalk.com. Readers of the blog may subscribe to have updated posts e-mailed to their attention.
The Tort Talk blog written by Attorney Cummins has been repeatedly honored by both LexisNexis and the ABA Law Journal as one of the Top 100 blogs in the entire United States for a legal audience.
In 2010, Attorney Cummins was also hired by the George T. Bisel Company, Inc., a publisher of legal treatises, to write the annual supplement for the Pennsylvania Trial Advocacy Handbook.
AWARDS AND HONORS
Lawyers on the Fast Track
In September, 2005, Attorney Cummins was honored as one of only 35 lawyers across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania under the age of 40 to be recognized by American Law Media as a "Lawyer on the Fast Track." This recognition was issued by a committee comprised of bar association leaders and a law school dean and was given to attorneys who have exhibited excellence in advocacy, advancement of the law, community service, and service to the bar. To date, Mr. Cummins remains one of only three attorneys from Northeastern, Pennsylvania to ever have been so recognized.
Schnader Print Media Awards
Attorney Cummins has won seven Schnader Print Media Awards over the past six years for excellence in legal writing.
In both 2006 and 2007 Attorney Cummins was awarded First Place in the Weekly Newspapers category of the noted Schnader Print Media Awards, honoring excellence in legal writing and analysis in Pennsylvania publications, for articles of his that appeared in the Pennsylvania Law Weekly.
More recently, in 2010, Mr. Cummins was awarded second place in Beat Coverage and second place in Editorial/Commentary categories for Weekly Newspapers in the Schnader Print Media Awards Competition.
Mr. Cummins scored a First Place and a Second Place award in the 2011 legal writing competition.
In 2012, Attorney Cummins was given a Second Place Award in the Weekly Newspapers category for an article of his.
Who's Who
In 2005, Mr. Cummins was selected for inclusion in the 2005-2006 Honors Edition of The United Who's Who Registry which lists accomplished men and women based on their current position who have demonstrated outstanding leadership or achievement in their occupation, industry or profession.
More recently, in 2008, Attorney Cummins was selected for inclusion in Cambridge's Who's Who, an international Registry whose membership is limited to professionals who have demonstrated leadership and achievement in their industry and occupation.
Super Lawyer-Rising Star
In 2007, Attorney Cummins was also recognized in the Super Lawyers-Rising Stars edition of the Philadelphia Magazine as one of the top young attorneys in Pennsylvania.
Martindale-Hubbell Rating
Mr. Cummins has earned a BV Rating in the Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory which denotes a high to very high level of legal expertise and the highest ethical standards as determined by the bar and the judiciary.
He is currently accepting new clients along with other referrals including service as local counsel, defense arbitrator, or mediator in matters arising in Northeastern Pennsylvania.
Attorney Cummins practices in the state and federal courts that cover the Northeastern Pennsylvania counties that include, but are not limited to, Lackawanna, Luzerne, Wayne, Pike, Susquehanna, Wyoming, Sullivan, Bradford, Monroe, Northampton, Carbon, Lehigh, Schuylkill, Columbia, Northumberland, Montour, and Lycoming.
Mr. Cummins has focused his practice on defending motor vehicle accident liability cases and UIM/UM arbitration matters along with premises liability and products liability cases. Mr. Cummins is also routinely summoned by his clients to handle matters involving insurance coverage questions and insurance subrogation claims.
Attorney Cummins is a cum laude graduate of Villanova University ('90, B.A., English) after which he attended the Dickinson School of Law ('93, J.D.) and completed his law school studies at the University of London in London, England (Spring, '93).
After graduating from law school, Mr. Cummins served as the Senior Law Clerk for the Honorable Harold A. Thomson, Jr. in the Pike County Court of Common Pleas for two years before going into private practice, where he has focused on insurance defense litigation ever since.
Along the way, in addition to practicing law, Mr. Cummins has also worked as an adjunct instructor for the paralegal program at the Worthington-Scranton campus of Penn State University.
AWARD-WINNING CIVIL LITIGATION COLUMNIST/WRITER/BLOGGER
Mr. Cummins has published many articles that have appeared in the Pennsylvania Law Weekly, the Pennsylvania Bar Quarterly, the Pennsylvania Lawyer magazine, and the Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal. Attorney Cummins' numerous articles have analyzed and predicted trends in a wide variety of areas of civil litigation law and have also provided practice tips for fellow members of the bar.
More recently, at the request of the editors of the Pennsylvania Law Weekly, a statewide legal news publication, Attorney Cummins has become a regularly contributing columnist on civil litigation issues. As noted below, several of his articles have been recognized for their excellence in legal journalism.
As a complement to his Pennsylvania civil litigation column in the Pennsylvania Law Weekly, Attorney Cummins also recently started a blog on the same topic, the first of its kind by a Northeastern Pennsylvania attorney. The blog, which provides updates on cases and trends in Pennsylvania civil litigation law, can be found at www.torttalk.com. Readers of the blog may subscribe to have updated posts e-mailed to their attention.
The Tort Talk blog written by Attorney Cummins has been repeatedly honored by both LexisNexis and the ABA Law Journal as one of the Top 100 blogs in the entire United States for a legal audience.
In 2010, Attorney Cummins was also hired by the George T. Bisel Company, Inc., a publisher of legal treatises, to write the annual supplement for the Pennsylvania Trial Advocacy Handbook.
AWARDS AND HONORS
Lawyers on the Fast Track
In September, 2005, Attorney Cummins was honored as one of only 35 lawyers across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania under the age of 40 to be recognized by American Law Media as a "Lawyer on the Fast Track." This recognition was issued by a committee comprised of bar association leaders and a law school dean and was given to attorneys who have exhibited excellence in advocacy, advancement of the law, community service, and service to the bar. To date, Mr. Cummins remains one of only three attorneys from Northeastern, Pennsylvania to ever have been so recognized.
Schnader Print Media Awards
Attorney Cummins has won seven Schnader Print Media Awards over the past six years for excellence in legal writing.
In both 2006 and 2007 Attorney Cummins was awarded First Place in the Weekly Newspapers category of the noted Schnader Print Media Awards, honoring excellence in legal writing and analysis in Pennsylvania publications, for articles of his that appeared in the Pennsylvania Law Weekly.
More recently, in 2010, Mr. Cummins was awarded second place in Beat Coverage and second place in Editorial/Commentary categories for Weekly Newspapers in the Schnader Print Media Awards Competition.
Mr. Cummins scored a First Place and a Second Place award in the 2011 legal writing competition.
In 2012, Attorney Cummins was given a Second Place Award in the Weekly Newspapers category for an article of his.
Who's Who
In 2005, Mr. Cummins was selected for inclusion in the 2005-2006 Honors Edition of The United Who's Who Registry which lists accomplished men and women based on their current position who have demonstrated outstanding leadership or achievement in their occupation, industry or profession.
More recently, in 2008, Attorney Cummins was selected for inclusion in Cambridge's Who's Who, an international Registry whose membership is limited to professionals who have demonstrated leadership and achievement in their industry and occupation.
Super Lawyer-Rising Star
In 2007, Attorney Cummins was also recognized in the Super Lawyers-Rising Stars edition of the Philadelphia Magazine as one of the top young attorneys in Pennsylvania.
Martindale-Hubbell Rating
Mr. Cummins has earned a BV Rating in the Martindale-Hubbell Legal Directory which denotes a high to very high level of legal expertise and the highest ethical standards as determined by the bar and the judiciary.
Practice Areas
Asbestos & Mesothelioma
Car Accidents
Insurance Bad Faith
Insurance Claims
Insurance Defense
Medical Malpractice
Fees
Rates, Retainers and Additional Information:
Currently accepting new clients along with referrals as local counsel, defense arbitrator, mediator, or otherwise
Currently accepting new clients along with referrals as local counsel, defense arbitrator, mediator, or otherwise
Jurisdictions Admitted to Practice
| Pennsylvania |
Professional Experience
| Writer of Annual Supplement to Pennsylvania Trial Advocacy Handbook, George T. Bisel Compnany, Inc. - Publisher | -Current |
| Ongoing research of current Pennsylvania statutory changes and developing case law; write annual supplement to the Pennsylvania Trial Advocacy Handbook. | |
| Partner, Foley, Cognetti, Comerford, Cimini & Cummins Law Firm | -Current |
| Partner in Scranton, Pennsylvania law firm. Focus on insurance defense matters with an emphasis in motor vehicle accident cases and slip and fall matters. Tried many cases to jury verdict in both state and federal court. Strives to provide client satisfaction through prompt and regular status reporting and making all efforts to amicably resolve cases reasonably in the most cost-efficient manner possible. | |
| Columinist on Civil Litigation matters, Pennsylvania Law Weekly | -Current |
| Columnist for statewide legal news publication, writing articles providing updates on important cases and trends in Pennsylvania civil litigation matters. | |
| Adjunct Instructor - Paralegal Program, Penn State University | - |
| Served as an adjunct instructor in the paralegal program at the Worthington-Scranton campus of Penn State University teaching a course on general negligence law and medical malpractice law. | |
| Associate Attorney, Bialkowski & Savitsky | - |
| Associate attorney for Scranton, Lackwanna County, Pennsylvania insurance defense firm. Focused on automobile accident and premises liability cases. | |
| Law Clerk to the then President Judge Harold A. Thomson, Jr., Pike County Court of Common Pleas in Milford, Pennsylvnia | - |
| Served for two years as law clerk to the then President Judge Harold A. Thomson, Jr. As Judge Thomson was the only judge in the Pike County Court of Common Pleas, researched and participated in the crafting of the court's opinions and orders in all areas of the law in the various matters that came before the court on a daily basis. | |
Education
| Pennsylvania State University - Dickinson School of Law | J.D. | LAW | |
| Details: Intramural Basketball, Intramural Softball, Moot Court Competition, Casenote Competition | |||
| University of London (England), Faculty of Laws | Study Abroad Program | LAW | |
| Activities: Internship at law firm located along Fleet Street in the heart of London, England and affiliated with the Inner Temple. Viewed trials and court proceedings at the Old Bailey and in civil court. | |||
| Details: Studied in British and American Comparative Law courses in study abroad program in law school. | |||
| Villanova University | B.A. | English Major, History Minor | |
| Honors: Graduated cum laude. | |||
Professional Activities
| Columnist on civil litigation topics | The Pennsylvania Law Weekly, statewide legal news publication | 1995-Current | |
| Details: Attorney Cummins continues to write a regular civil litigation column for the Pennsylvania Law Weekly, a statewide legal news publication. The articles analyze and predict trends in Pennsylvania civil litigation law and also provide tips to fellow attorneys on how to improve their practice. All of his articles may be viewed by clicking on the link for JDSupra. | |||
Awards
| First Place - Schnader Print Media Award | Pennsylvania Newspaper Association | |
| In 2007, Attorney Cummins received a First Place award for the second year in a row in the Weekly Newspaper category of the Schnader Print Media Awards. | ||
| Super Lawyer - Rising Star | Philadelphia Magazine | |
| In 2007, Attorney Dan Cummins was honored by his peers as a Super Lawyer-Rising Star. | ||
| First Place - Schnader Print Media Award | Pennsylvania Newspaper Association | |
| In 2006, Attorney Cummins received his first First Place recognition in the Schnader Print Media Awards for articles of his that appeared in the Pennsylvania Law Weekly. | ||
| Lawyers on the Fast Track Honoree | American Law Media | |
| In 2005, Attorney Dan Cummins was one of only 35 lawyers across the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania to be honored as a Lawyer on the Fast Track. The honor was bestowed upon Attorney Cummins in recognition of his excellence in advocacy, advancement of the law, community service, and service to the bar. To date, he remains only 1 of 2 attorneys in Northeastern Pennsylvania to ever receive this award. | ||
Professional Affiliations
| Officer-Treasurer (2010), Secretary (2009), Northeastern Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Association | -Current |
| Member, Defense Research Institute | -Current |
| Board Member, Pennsylvania Defense Institute | -Current |
| Board of Directors - Executive Committee, Lackawanna County Bar Association | -Current |
| Member, Pennsylvania State Bar | -Current |
| Member, Pike County Bar Association | -Current |
PUBLICATIONS
Articles & Publications
Auto Law - Post-Koken UM/UIM Update
Pennsylvania Defense Institute and Northeastern Pennsylvania Trial Lawyers Assoc.CLE at the Phillies
Pennsylvania Bar InstituteTort Talk Expo 2011
TortTalk.comView Attorney Cummins' articles by clicking on JDSupra Link. Below is a list of seminars planned and presented by Attorney Cummins:
Tort Talk Expo 2012
Pennsylvania Defense Institute - Civil Litigation Developments 2011
Pennsylvania Defense InstituteAuto Law - Post-Koken UM/UIM Update
Pennsylvania Association for JusticeCivil Litigation Update 2011
Luzerne County Bench Bar Conference 2011Post-Koken Update 2010
Luzerne County Bench Bar Conference 2010Expert Discovery Issues
Pennsylvania Association for JusticeA League of Extraordinary Speakers: Critical and Developmental Topics in Litigation
Pennsylvania Defense InstituteClaims Rep Pet Peeves
Northeastern Pennsylvania Claims AssociationUM/UIM Update
Pennsylvania Bar InstituteMediation and Arbitration Tips CLE Seminar
Pennsylvania Association for Justice2009 Civil Litigation Update at Luzerne County Bench Bar Conference
Luzerne County Bench Bar Conference2009 Civil Litigation Update for Lackawanna County Bench Bar Conference
Lackawanna County Bar Associations2009 Civil Litigation Update and ABC's of IME's Seminar for Pennsylvania Defense Institute
Pennsylvania Defense InstituteLessons From Lawyer Caricatures CLE Seminar
Daniel E. CumminsKoken Update/Mediation and Arbitration Tips CLE Seminar
Daniel E. CumminsLessons From Lawyer Caricatures
Daniel E. Cummins2008 Civil Litigation Update/Mediation and Arbitration Tips
Daniel E. CumminsMediation and Arbitration Tips
Daniel E. CumminsLessons from the Godfather Trilogy: Universal Principles and Practical Advice
Daniel E. Cummins2006 Civil Litigation Update
Daniel E. CumminsLessons from the Godfather Trilogy: Universal Principles and Practical Advice
Daniel E. Cummins
WEBSITES & BLOGS
Tort Talk: Updates and Trends in Pennsylvania Civil Litigation Law
REGISTRATION NOW OPEN FOR PDI ANNUAL MEETING (JULY 18 - 19, 2013) Carbon County Post-Koken Order in Favor of Severance Bad Faith Experts Precluded by Court as Unnecessary for Jury's Understanding of Issues Presented Judge Mariani of Federal Middle District Court Addresses Bad Faith Claim in Third Pary Context Specificity Needed in Indemnification Agreement to Waive Employer Immunity in Personal Injury Litigation Regular Use Exclusion Upheld by Erie County Court of Common Pleas Federal Judge James M. Munley Allows Insurance Evidence in Post-Koken Case Third Circuit Addresses Appeal of Former Luzerne County Judge Mark A. Ciavarella, Jr. REGISTER NOW -- LACKAWANNA PRO BONO'S GOLF TOURNAMENT IN TWO WEEKS
CONTACT & MAP
Foley, Comerford & Cummins Law Firm
507 Linden Street
Suite 700
Scranton, PA 18503
USA
USA
Telephone: (570) 346-0745
Telephone: (570) 346-0745
LinkedIn
Justia Profile
Avvo
JD Supra