Joseph M. Kelleher

Member

Joe litigates complex financial services, life insurance, and software disputes.  

Joe represents insurers seeking to have stranger-originated life insurance (STOLI) policies declared void ab initio. When insurance companies pay STOLI death benefits to investors, he also represents the insureds’ families to recover those proceeds from the investors for the families.

Joe has played a key role in many recent carrier successes in STOLI litigation, including a string of summary judgment victories where fraudulently procured policies have been declared void for lack of insurable interest. He has also recovered millions of STOLI dollars for the families of seniors put through STOLI schemes back in the mid-2000s.

In the software area, Joe represents clients in actions arising from the licensure and/or implementation of integrated business software solutions (ERP). Working closely with top experts in the field, he litigates across a broad spectrum of issues, including those related to license compliance, project management, solution architecture, hardware sizing, defect remediation, performance testing, and maintenance and support. Joe’s practice goes beyond just litigating these issues by providing real-time counsel during on-going projects.

Between his undergraduate studies and law school, Joe served as a scout platoon leader in Ramadi, Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom IV.

Experience

News

Cozen O’Connor Promotes Six Members to Shareholder

August 24, 2020

Cozen O’Connor is pleased to announce the promotion of six members to shareholders.

Cozen O'Connor’s Life Insurance & Annuities Group Named One of the Top Lateral Hires of 2018

March 23, 2019

The Cozen O'Connor Life Insurance and Annuities Group was named by The Legal Intelligencer one of the Top Lateral Hires of 2018 after joining the firm in April 2018.

Cozen O’Connor Expands Commercial Litigation Practice in Philadelphia with Group from Drinker Biddle

April 26, 2018

Cozen O’Connor announced today that three nationally recognized commercial litigators — Michael J. Miller, Gregory J. Star, and Stephen R. Harris — along with 11 others have left Drinker Biddle to join Cozen O’Connor’s Commercial Litigation practice

Publications

Hydraulic Fracturing, Induced Seismicity, and Insurance Coverage: Are Insurers Being Asked to Pay for Lack of Regulation? [FC&S Legal]

March 01, 2016

Joseph Kelleher co-authored an article in FC&S Legal about the issues at the intersection of insurance law, hydraulic fracturing, and induced seismicity.

Revised ICDR International Arb Rules: What Counsel Should Know [The Legal Intelligencer]

April 30, 2014

Joe Kelleher discussed The International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) and revisions to its International Arbitration Rules.

Industry Sectors

Education

  • Temple University—James E. Beasley School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude, 2009
  • Wake Forest University, B.A., cum laude, 2004
  • New Jersey
  • Pennsylvania
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit
  • U.S. District Court -- Eastern District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court -- Middle District of Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court -- Western District of Texas

Honorable Robert B. Kugler, U.S. District Court -- New Jersey