Brian Seaman is a commercial litigator whose practice cuts across various sectors, including healthcare, real estate and insurance. A tireless advocate for his clients, Brian is also a seasoned courtroom lawyer and has tried more than a dozen cases in federal and state courts and before arbitration panels. Brian also serves as the firm’s chief inclusion officer and is tasked with designing the strategy and initiatives necessary to support the firm’s core values of equity, inclusion and belonging.
Brian has spent the majority of his career representing national and regional managed healthcare companies, health plans, and insurers, with specific focus on matters involving the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), the Medicaid and Medicare Advantage programs, provider fraud, managed long-term care programs, and high-stakes reimbursement and network agreement disputes. This experience also extends to matters involving claims of negligence and wrongful death by plan members relating to care from health providers and home care agencies. Outside of the health law space, Brian is a seasoned judgment enforcement and execution practitioner who has collected more than $2 million in judgments for his clients. Brian also regularly assists clients with obtaining certification as minority- and women-owned business enterprises.
As chief inclusion officer, Brian leads firmwide inclusion and equity efforts and promotes initiatives that allow the most talented individuals to excel regardless of background or identity. Since taking on the role, Brian has charted a multi-year roadmap for Stradley Ronon to reduce bias and increase the transparency of firm processes, to offer events and trainings that honor diverse histories while unifying the firm under a shared culture of allyship, and to ensure individuals are empowered to express themselves with authenticity. Brian also works closely with the board of directors and other key members of firm leadership on belonging and recruiting issues and with the leaders of the firm’s five engagement groups to create opportunities for meaningful connections among lawyers and business professionals.
Brian continues his work outside the firm, where he is heavily involved with organizations dedicated to equity and inclusion. Brian was named as a fellow in the Leadership Council on Legal Diversity's (LCLD) flagship leadership program in 2013 and has continued his involvement to this day through his service on the Alumni Executive Council. Clients, legal organizations and publications regularly seek out Brian for his perspective on how organizations and individuals can contribute to inclusion and equity and for his innovative and original presentations on the topics of equity, cultural awareness and belonging.
Featured Representative Matters
Obtained dismissals of multiple related actions brought against a Fortune 100 health insurance company by providers seeking payment on thousands of claims for benefits, the sum of which exceeded $5 million.
Assisted multiple companies in obtaining certification as minority- and women-owned business enterprises in Pennsylvania and New York.
Represented property owners in a complex trial involving a fraud perpetrated during a real estate transaction.
Acted as trial counsel on a federal court matter involving a Ponzi scheme perpetrated by a client employee.
Defended a pharmaceutical manufacturer in a high-profile products liability trial.
Obtained a full defense verdict for a development corporation in an action involving a plaintiff claiming significant personal injuries resulting from defective construction materials.
Obtained a favorable settlement during a trial involving novel legal issues relating to property rights in cadavers and emotional distress caused by outrageous treatment of a corpse.
Defended a provider of internet-based services in a copyright infringement trial involving unique legal issues relating to technology and web-based services.
Obtained a defense verdict in an arbitration matter involving a breach of contract in a construction action.
Memberships
Member, Diversity and Inclusion Editorial Advisory Board, Law360
Chair, LCLD Leadership Symposium Committee
Member, LCLD Alumni Executive Council
Chair, Stradley Ronon Inclusion Committee
Member, Stradley Ronon Hiring Committee
Recognitions
Notable Leaders in Accounting, Consulting & Law, Crain’s New YorkBusiness (2024)
Philadelphia LGBT Awards, Philadelphia Business Journal (2016)
Diverse Attorneys of the Year, The Legal Intelligencer (2015)
Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40, National LGBT Bar Association (2015)
40 Under 40, Philadelphia Business Journal (2014)
Fellow, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity (2013)
Lawyers on the Fast Track, The Legal Intelligencer (2012)
"Who’s Who in the A-Gay Universe," Philadelphia Magazine
Featured Speaking Engagements
Panelist, “Creating a Culture of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion,” ARK National Summit on Law Firm Operations
Panelist, “The Evolving State of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion,” Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia
Presenter, “Promoting Inclusivity for Queer Employees – A Guide for Management and Coworkers,” Association of Corporate Counsel of Greater Philadelphia
Presenter, “How to Define, Assess and Improve DEI in All Aspects of Business,” Annual Advanced Forum on Managed Care Disputes and Litigation
Moderator, "Brave Conversations: How Open Dialogue Drives DEI at Work," Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia
Moderator, “The Intersection of Arts, Activism & the Law - A Conversation with Simon Tam,” Stradley Ronon
Panelist, “Diversity and Inclusion in Philadelphia's Financial Industry,” Philadelphia Business Journal
Moderator, “A Candid Conversation with Hispanic Leaders,” Stradley Ronon
Speaker, Legal Diversity Alumni Presentation to Board of Directors, LCLD
Presenter, “Out in the Practice,” National LGBT Law Conference (Lavender Law)
