Elissa K. Kerr

Elissa K. Kerr is a member of the firm’s Litigation Department and Healthcare Practice Group. She focuses her practice on all aspects of complex commercial litigation. Over the course of her career, Elissa has defended hundreds of pre-suit claims and lawsuits, including large class actions and multi-district litigation, from inception to resolution in state and federal courts nationwide. 

Elissa has primarily represented healthcare entities, including large pharmaceutical companies, pharmacy benefit managers, health insurers, hospital systems, and long-term care facilities. She splits her practice between litigation and counseling clients regarding compliance with U.S. fraud and abuse laws (Anti-Kickback Statute, Stark Law, False Claims Act, and HIPAA). 

Elissa also has experience assisting with compliance investigations and responding to government audits, inquiries and investigations. She has related experience handling employment matters, including the defense of a large healthcare corporation in a high-stakes qui tam/whistleblower case with claims of wrongful termination and retaliation.

Elissa takes pride in her strong communications skills. She is particularly adept at translating complicated legal issues into brief, straightforward explanations in plain language suitable for business professionals. Additionally, her friendly and professional demeanor makes her especially well-suited for mediating disputes with disgruntled customers or employees. For example, Elissa has historically been the “go-to” person at her firm for handling sensitive conversations with difficult clients and fee disputes.  

Elissa serves as the trusted advisor for your clients and advocates them inside and out of the courtroom. Her objective is to understand and promote their business goals while employing all reasonable measures to minimize risk. 

Prior to joining the firm, Elissa worked at a mega-firm with an office based in Philadelphia where her practice focused on the defense of corporate clients in a broad range of complex commercial matters in the areas of healthcare, consumer protection, employment law, mass torts, environmental harm, and director’s and officer’s liability. Elissa also counseled clients in regulatory and compliance matters. 

• Advised a top pharmacy chain regarding licensing requirements in every state for the expansion of services in their clinics. 
• Obtained a favorable settlement at mediation in a "bet-the-company" whistleblower/false claims act lawsuit.
• Successfully argued for the dismissal of a lawsuit alleging corporate negligence and veil-piercing claims against in federal court. 

• Volunteers with numerous public interest organizations, pro bono representation referral networks and legal aid clinics offering legal services to homeless and low income families in the Greater Philadelphia area.