Scott M. Vernick

Partner

  • Scott M. Vernick
  • Phone: +1 215 979 1922

    Import to Address Book

  • Duane Morris LLP
    30 South 17th Street
    Philadelphia, PA 19103-4196
    USA

Scott M. Vernick focuses his practice on litigation, investigations and compliance, concentrating in the fields of life sciences (and in particular medical devices and biotech), commercial real estate development and specialized technology. Mr. Vernick has substantial experience in guiding his clients through and managing high-value business disputes. He regularly represents publicly-traded and private emerging growth companies, and real estate investment and development companies. He practices in federal courts, private forums (AAA arbitrations) and state courts across the country.

Mr. Vernick has substantial experience litigating IP and technology disputes, trade secrets, joint venture and partner disputes, and competition-related restrictive covenants, in various types of business agreements. Select experiences include:

  • Obtaining an award in AAA arbitration and final judgment in court in favor of a life sciences company client, including permanent injunctive relief relating to sensitive and proprietary information, and attorneys' fees and costs, based in disputes relating to an exclusive license agreement.
  • Successfully guiding a multinational real estate investment company in parallel actions in state and bankruptcy courts relating to a business deal to own and operate healthcare buildings and entities, with hundreds of millions of dollars at issue.
  • Securing final judgment for a life sciences company client for tens of millions of dollars and attorneys' fees and costs, based in disputes relating to the acquisition of a patented drug under an asset purchase agreement.

Mr. Vernick additionally counsels clients in compliance issues and investigations and relating to contract matters, including mergers, acquisitions and technology sales and licenses.

Mr. Vernick is a magna cum laude graduate of Temple University Beasley School of Law, where he attended as a Merit Scholar and was elected to the Order of the Coif, and a cum laude graduate of the University of Pennsylvania. Mr. Vernick served as a judicial extern with the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania in his third year of law school.

 

Admissions

  • Pennsylvania
  • New Jersey
  • 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

Education

  • Temple University Beasley School of Law, J.D., magna cum laude
    - International & Comparative Law Journal
    - Order of the Coif
    - Merit Scholar
  • University of Pennsylvania, B.A., cum laude

Experience

  • Duane Morris LLP
    - Partner, 2023-present
    - Senior Associate, 2021-2022
  • DLA Piper LLP
    - Associate, 2017-2021
  • Conrad O’Brien PC
    - Associate
  • U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
    - Judicial Extern to the Hon. Lynne A. Sitarski

Professional Activities

  • Judge Anders’ Pennsylvania Civil Pre-Trial, Trial & Discovery Practice Guides
    - Editor and Advisory Board Member
  • Philadelphia Bar Association
  • Drexel University Thomas R. Kline School of Law
    - Guest Lecturer, Civil Litigation and Courts

Honors and Awards

  • Named to Best Lawyers "Ones to Watch," 2024

Representative Matters

  • Successfully prosecuted claims for breach of an exclusive license agreement in AAA arbitration. Obtained an award in arbitration and final judgment in court in favor of a life sciences company client, which included permanent injunctive relief, millions in monetary damages, and attorneys' fees and costs.

  • Conducted a weeks’-long evidentiary hearing, and secured a final judgment for a pharmaceutical company client for tens of millions of dollars, and attorneys' fees and costs. The action related to the acquisition of a patented drug under an asset purchase agreement.

  • At the motion to dismiss stage, obtained complete dismissal of all claims, including counts for conspiracy and fraud, against a medical device company relating to commercial supply of medical products.

  • Successfully represented a real estate investment company in parallel actions in state and bankruptcy courts relating to a business deal to own and operate healthcare buildings and entities, with hundreds of millions of dollars at issue.

  • Successfully represented a multinational corporation relating to a parts requirements contract with hundreds of millions of dollars at issue.

  • Assisted in guiding a foreign chemical company in a Second Request under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Act.

  • Counseled a pharmaceutical client relating to the acquisition of the company valued at $50 million.