Former Philadelphia Bar Chancellor Joins Fineman Krekstein & Harris
July 16, 2013
Philadelphia-- Andrew Chirls, former chancellor of the Philadelphia Bar Association, has joined the law firm of Fineman Krekstein & Harris, P.C. as “Of Counsel.” He was a partner at Haines & Associates for the last four years and prior to that a partner at Wolf Block Schorr & Solis-Cohen. Chirls brings more than 25 years of experience to the firm, focusing his practice on business litigation.
"Andy Chirls is a distinguished attorney and will complement the expertise in one of our key practice areas, business litigation. He is also a life-long advocate for diversity in the workplace and in society in general, which is very much a part of our culture here," said firm chairperson S.David Fineman.
"When we found out Andy was available to join us, we jumped at the opportunity. He will be a very active 'Of Counsel' to our practice," said Fineman
Chirls has been class counsel in a number of securities cases, and represented the AHP Settlement Trust, which administered a $4.3 billion class settlement from the marketing of the diet drug Fen Phen. He was the first lawyer to represent a plaintiff in an AIDS/HIV discrimination case before a jury in Pennsylvania, and was lead defense counsel in a class action involving exposure to toxic metals at a dialysis clinic.
Mr. Chirls also tried several contract cases from mergers, acquisitions and dissolutions. He is recognized as an authority in the field of property rights and condemnation law, involving the constitutional rights of property owners when governments and utility companies take property for public projects.
Mr. Chirls was recently appointed by the United States District Court in Philadelphia to oversee and resolve discovery disputes in the Zoloft Birth Defects national multi-district litigation. He serves by appointment of the Court as Fund Administrator in the Avandia multi-district litigation.
Chirls was elected Philadelphia Bar Chancellor in 2005, He was also chairman of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, president of Philadelphia-based BalletX, and long-time board member of the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund. He currently serves on the American Law Institute and Academy of Court Appointed Masters.
Among his many awards are: the International Human Rights Award from the International Human Rights Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association; Michael Greenberg Community Service Award from Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia (GALLOP); Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, Professional in Human Relations Award; Gay and Lesbian Professional Network of Philadelphia Community Service Award; and the Jewish Social Policy Action Network ("JSPAN"), Social Justice Award.
He is a graduate of the University Pennsylvania and the law school of the University of California, Berkeley. He has served on the CLE faculties of the Pa Bar Institute, Georgetown University and the Pa Trial Lawyers Association, in addition to authoring numerous legal articles.
Fineman Krekstein & Harris is a full-service law firm offering corporate, litigation services and real estate transactions including land use, regulatory agency and tax appeal services to clients. The firm has offices in Center City Philadelphia and Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Alumni of the firm include distinguished judges, legislators and leaders of the legal community. Current partners and associates are actively involved in legal, community and political activities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
"Andy Chirls is a distinguished attorney and will complement the expertise in one of our key practice areas, business litigation. He is also a life-long advocate for diversity in the workplace and in society in general, which is very much a part of our culture here," said firm chairperson S.David Fineman.
"When we found out Andy was available to join us, we jumped at the opportunity. He will be a very active 'Of Counsel' to our practice," said Fineman
Chirls has been class counsel in a number of securities cases, and represented the AHP Settlement Trust, which administered a $4.3 billion class settlement from the marketing of the diet drug Fen Phen. He was the first lawyer to represent a plaintiff in an AIDS/HIV discrimination case before a jury in Pennsylvania, and was lead defense counsel in a class action involving exposure to toxic metals at a dialysis clinic.
Mr. Chirls also tried several contract cases from mergers, acquisitions and dissolutions. He is recognized as an authority in the field of property rights and condemnation law, involving the constitutional rights of property owners when governments and utility companies take property for public projects.
Mr. Chirls was recently appointed by the United States District Court in Philadelphia to oversee and resolve discovery disputes in the Zoloft Birth Defects national multi-district litigation. He serves by appointment of the Court as Fund Administrator in the Avandia multi-district litigation.
Chirls was elected Philadelphia Bar Chancellor in 2005, He was also chairman of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, president of Philadelphia-based BalletX, and long-time board member of the Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund. He currently serves on the American Law Institute and Academy of Court Appointed Masters.
Among his many awards are: the International Human Rights Award from the International Human Rights Committee of the Philadelphia Bar Association; Michael Greenberg Community Service Award from Gay and Lesbian Lawyers of Philadelphia (GALLOP); Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations, Professional in Human Relations Award; Gay and Lesbian Professional Network of Philadelphia Community Service Award; and the Jewish Social Policy Action Network ("JSPAN"), Social Justice Award.
He is a graduate of the University Pennsylvania and the law school of the University of California, Berkeley. He has served on the CLE faculties of the Pa Bar Institute, Georgetown University and the Pa Trial Lawyers Association, in addition to authoring numerous legal articles.
Fineman Krekstein & Harris is a full-service law firm offering corporate, litigation services and real estate transactions including land use, regulatory agency and tax appeal services to clients. The firm has offices in Center City Philadelphia and Cherry Hill, New Jersey. Alumni of the firm include distinguished judges, legislators and leaders of the legal community. Current partners and associates are actively involved in legal, community and political activities in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.