Brian P. Seaman

Partner and Chief Inclusion Officer

bseaman@stradley.com

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Overview

Brian Seaman is a commercial litigator whose practice cuts across various sectors, including health care, real estate, insurance and manufacturing. Brian is also a seasoned courtroom lawyer who 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’s legal practice is centered on his representation of insurance carriers and health care systems, with specific focus on matters involving the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA), Medicaid/Medicare, managed care, fraud and provider contracting. Brian is also highly knowledgeable in judgment enforcement and execution procedures. In addition, Brian regularly partners with clients regarding their inclusion and equity strategies to ensure they are both highly effective and designed in a way that mitigates any potential risk. 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.

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Results

Representative Matters

  • acted as trial counsel on a high-profile trial involving a Ponzi scheme perpetrated by a client employee
  • defended a pharmaceutical manufacturer in a high-profile products liability trial
  • defended an exercise equipment company in a series of personal injury product defect cases
  • represented a national metal and aluminum company in a wrongful death action resulting from exploding truck parts
  • defended an industrial client in an action regarding potentially inadequate or defective safety apparatuses at a commercial facility
  • 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
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Credentials

Bar Admissions
  • Pennsylvania
  • New Jersey
  • New York
Court Admissions
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
  • 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 Western District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York
  • U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
Education
  • J.D., University of Pittsburgh School of Law
  • B.A., cum laude, University of Notre Dame
Memberships

  • Member, Diversity and Inclusion Editorial Advisory Board, Law360
  • Chair, Leadership Symposium Committee, LCLD Alumni Executive Council (2024-25)
  • Chair, Stradley Ronon Diversity Committee
  • Board of Directors, 11th Hour Theatre Company
  • Former Chair of the Board of Directors, Mazeppa Productions
  • Former Member, Board of Directors, Wilma Theater Company
  • Stradley Ronon Hiring Committee

News

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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," The 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 Diversity Committee
  • Speaker, Legal Diversity Alumni Presentation to Board of Directors, Leadership Council on Legal Diversity
  • Participant, "Diversity Roundtable," The Legal Intelligencer
  • Presenter, “Out in the Practice,” National LGBT Law Conference (Lavender Law)
  • Presenter, “Six-Word Memoir,” G Philly
  • Presenter, “LGBT Issues,” Philadelphia Diversity & Leadership Conference
  • Presenter, “Confessions of Judgment and Deficiency Judgments in Pennsylvania,” Pennsylvania Bar Institute
  • Presenter, “Unique Issues Faced by LGBT Lawyers in Interview & Summer Clerkships,” Drexel OUTLaw
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Recognitions

  • Crain's New York Business, Notable Leaders in Accounting, Consulting and Law (2024)
  • Philadelphia Business Journal, "Philadelphia LGBT Awards Honoree" 
  • The Legal Intelligencer, "Diverse Attorneys of the Year" 
  • Philadelphia Business Journal ,"40 Under 40"
  • The Legal Intelligencer, "Lawyers on the Fast Track"
  • National LGBT Bar Association, "Best LGBT Lawyers Under 40"
  • Leadership Council on Legal Diversity Fellow
  • Philadelphia Magazine, "Who’s Who in the A-Gay Universe"
  • Pennsylvania Super Lawyers, Rising Star
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In The Community

Brian is active in many arts and professional organizations throughout the area, including:

  • 11th Hour Theatre Company - Brian currently serves on the board of directors of the 11th Hour Theatre Company, one of Philadelphia’s premier boutique musical theatre companies.
  • Mazeppa Productions - Brian co-founded this Philadelphia based musical theater company in 2010. He is the former Mazeppa managing director and board chair and designed the sets for Mazeppa’s productions of Spring Awakening, Avenue , and Xanadu. Mazeppa has been critically acclaimed since its founding, with Philadelphia Weekly saying Mazeppa “gives just cause to be very optimistic about the future of Philadelphia stage” and the Philadelphia Inquirer saying “it's clear Mazeppa is making some sweet stage magic.”
  • Wilma Theater - Brian founded the Young Friends of the Wilma Theater program in 2010, which encourages young professionals in the Philadelphia area to attend and appreciate live theater. He was also selected to the board of directors in 2010 and made significant contributions as a three-year member of the special events and nomination committees.
  • GALLOP - Brian is a member of this professional organization devoted to equality and diversity in the legal community.
  • Philadelphia Gryphons Rugby Club - Brian is a proud member of this Philadelphia-area rugby team.
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