Biography
Somers S. Price, a retired Potter Anderson partner, practiced in several areas including utility and railroad, products liability defense, general defense and commercial litigation, environmental and toxic tort litigation defense and computer law. He represented automobile and automotive components manufacturers, product manufacturers, commercial enterprises and other companies in the areas noted above. He assisted in negotiation of contracts and contract modifications and reviewed language for product warnings and instructions.
Chip tried numerous jury and non-jury cases in the federal and state courts in Delaware and Pennsylvania and also arbitrated and mediated numerous cases. He served as a Special Master in a complex commercial adversary proceeding in Delaware Bankruptcy Court. He often served as an arbitrator and a mediator for the courts and was also referred mediations by trial judges from the state courts.
Experience
Representative Matters
- Representation of auto manufacturers in three complex crashworthiness trials. McLain v. GM, Wolhar v. GM and Lindahl v. Mazda Motors. Won appeals on the seat belt defense and requirements of expert testimony.
- Represented a regional utility in a complex real estate trial, which included EMF allegations.
- Rrepresented companies in premises liability cases, including serving as lead counsel for two automobile companies, Chrysler and GM, involving liability of a landowner to employees of independent contractors.
- Obtained summary judgments which were affirmed on appeal by the Delaware Supreme Court in Roca v. E. l. Du Pont and Archie v. E. l. Du Pont, as one of the lead lawyers in the arguments.
- Obtained a summary judgment in an electrocution/fall premises liability case, Yoder v. Delmarva Power & Light Company, affirmed by the Delaware Supreme Court.
- Defense of large corporations and entities in other complex head injury and wrongful death cases, including catastrophic accidents and electrocution cases.
- Served as counsel for several educational institutions: lead counsel for Widener University in Avins v. Widener University, a complex tort case involving a six-week jury trial and also tenure dismissal hearings for Professor Avins; counsel for the Delaware Law School of Widener University in multiple cases brought by a former student in Martin v. Delaware Law School of Widener University; Delaware State University in two cases involving alleged injuries to students on campus.
- Served as counsel for a large regional utility in regulatory proceedings in Delaware, New Jersey and Maryland.
Professional Activities & Recognition
Professional
Temporary Associate Member of Delaware Board of Bar Examiners. 2021
Instructor, Bill of Rights Institute, 2021
Named as The Best Lawyers in America Wilmington-DE Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants "Lawyer of the Year" in 2014, 2017, 2019 and 2021 editions
Named to the Best Lawyers in America in 2009-2021. Previously, he was selected by a vote of his peers as one of Delaware's top five defense lawyers on two separate occasions between 2000 and 2006.
Named a Local Litigation Star by Benchmark Litigation
Delaware State Bar Association; Awards Committee
Founding Board member and former President, Defense Counsel of Delaware
Chairman, Civil Rules Committee - Delaware Superior Court
Zoning Hearing Board, Concord Township, Pennsylvania
Author, Delaware Superior Court Jury Instruction Project, Product Liability Section
Bencher, Rodney Inn of Court
Regularly serves as a volunteer for the Delaware courts for projects related to pending issues such as technology rules and rule implementation
Third Circuit Advisory Committee - Former member
Former Chair, Delaware Supreme Court Rules Committee
District of Delaware Local Rules Advisory Committee - Former member
Education
Cornell University Law School, 1975, J.D.
Davidson College, A.B., cum laude, 1972; Phi Beta Kappa
Bar & Court Admissions
Bar Admissions
- Delaware, 1975