The Insurance Law Practice group recently won a major victory in the New Jersey Appellate Division for our client St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center. Riker represented the Medical Center’s CEO and the chief of its OB-GYN practice, as appellate counsel. A group of doctors alleged tortious interference of contract against these individuals, and breach of contract against the Medical Center. After a multi-week trial, a jury in Bergen County had entered a verdict of nearly $1.3 million combined against the Medical Center and our clients. The Medical Center turned to Riker to overturn the verdict. In a decision approved for publication, the Appellate Division not only reversed the judgment below, but then entered judgment for our clients dismissing all claims. The decision contains several important points of law, including the standards to be used in tortious interference claims, and limitations on implied breach of contract claims when the contract contains an express termination provision. Partner Lance Kalik argued the appeal, and led the team that helped convince the Appellate Division that the claims should not have reached the jury in the first place. The decision was covered in the September 1st issue of the New Jersey Law Journal.
