Joseph R. Podraza, Jr.

Joe is a partner with Lamb McErlane PC and practices in the specialties of complex civil litigation, commercial litigation, healthcare litigation, defamation law, insurance coverage litigation, and malicious prosecution litigation.

As principal trial counsel or co-counsel, Joe has obtained multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements on behalf of his clients. In 2017 he co-tried a healthcare fraud and kickback case and obtained nearly $38 million from the jury, a top ten largest verdict awarded that year in all cases tried in Northern California.  Similarly, Joe successfully co-tried a wrongful use of process case and obtained the ninth largest jury verdict awarded that year, nationwide.

Joe has also argued numerous appeals and secured favorable state and federal appellate decisions on a broad range of important legal issues including the federal False Claims Act, defamation law, the Peer Review Protection Act, employment law and insurance law, and Joe’s scholarly publications on these and other topics have been cited and followed by courts throughout the United States.

Joe was appointed to serve on the Pennsylvania Civil Rules Committee by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court, and he remains an active member of the Appellate Courts Section of the Philadelphia Bar Association. He has authored several successful amicus curiae briefs on behalf of the Philadelphia Bar Association, and lectured as an invited guest at Harvard Law School and the American Conference Institute.

Joe received a B.A. in International Studies with a minor in Business and Finance in 1985 at The American University.  He received his J.D. at Temple University School of Law in 1988, where he was a member of the Law Review and Moot Court Honor Society. Joe has consistently received an AV Martindale-Hubbell rating and been recognized as a Super Lawyer by his peers.

Joe is a member of the Pennsylvania and New Jersey bars and has been admitted to practice in the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, as well as the United States District Courts in Pennsylvania.  He has been admitted pro hoc vice to handle matters pending before state and/or federal courts in California and Maryland.

AWARDS / RECOGNITIONS:

• • Named a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer
  • Martindale-Hubbell AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated
  • Rated 10 by Avvo
  • Named a 2020-2022 Five-Star / Top Attorney by Suburban Life Magazine
  • Named a Main Line Today Top Lawyer
  • Recognized as a 2021 ‘Best Lawyer’ by the Daily Local News

RECENT CASES / NEWS:

• What Happened to Ellen?: An American Miscarriage of Justice. New book by Nancy Grace on the Ellen Greenberg case. Lamb McErlane attorney Joseph Podraza is featured in the book.
• *New developments in the Ellen Greenberg case. Lamb McErlane partner Joseph R. Podraza, Jr. represents Ellen Greenberg’s parents.
  • After a reversed suicide ruling, the 27-year-old Philadelphia teacher Ellen Greenberg’s stabbing death is set to be reinvestigated, raising new questions about the tragic case. Ellen Greenburg | Crime Stories with Nancy Grace – MeritTV
  • Parents of teacher found with 20 stab wounds offer new theory on her death – Fox News
  • Her death from 20 stab wounds was ruled a suicide. The case just reopened. – Washington Post
  • Medical Examiner Will Reopen Case of Ellen Greenberg, Teacher with 20 Stab Wounds Whose Death Was Ruled Suicide – People
  • Death of teacher with 20 stab wounds to be reexamined as parents settle with city – Fox News
  • Despite 20 knife wounds and 11 bruises, Ellen Greenberg’s death was ruled a suicide. The pathologist just changed his mind – CNN
  • Philadelphia settles Ellen Greenberg civil suits and agrees to review her autopsy – Philadelphia Inquirer
  • Philly Settlement Reopens Probe of Teacher’s 2011 Death – Law360
  • Philly medical examiner’s office to reopen case into Ellen Greenberg’s death – NBC10 News Philadelphia
  • Doctor who ruled Ellen Greenberg’s death a suicide now says the ruling should be changed – Philadelphia Inquirer
• True Crime Series, Ellen Greenberg – WB Productions:

Justice For Ellen Greenberg Pt1
Justice For Ellen Greenberg Pt2
Justice For Ellen Greenberg Pt3

• Family of Ellen Greenberg can take city of Philadelphia to trial, judge rules – NBC10 News Philadelphia
• Ellen Greenberg case: Major development in family’s fight to change manner of death ruling – 6ABC Action News
• Parents of Ellen Greenberg, teacher stabbed to death in 2011, can take Philadelphia city officials to trial for emotional distress, judge rules – Independent News Story
• Former Philadelphia city official settles with Ellen Greenberg’s parents in emotional distress case – CBS  News Philadelphia. Interview with Lamb McErlane attorney Joseph Podraza
• Major update in case of Ellen Greenberg’s ‘suicide’ death after body found with 20 stab wounds – Daily Mail
• Medical examiner reverses suicide ruling in 2011 death of Philadelphia teacher stabbed 20 times – NY Post

• Philadelphia Inquirer article, ‘Fighting chance’ for parents in Ellen Greenberg civil suit, judge says. The lawsuit is one of two filed by the parents of Ellen Greenberg, whose 2011 death by 20 stab wounds was ruled homicide then switched to suicide by Philadelphia authorities. Joseph Podraza represents Ellen Greenberg’s parents and is quoted in the article.
• She had 20 knife wounds and at least 11 bruises. Authorities said she killed herself. Read CNN’s compelling and detailed narrative regarding the Ellen Greenberg case. In 2011 Ellen Greenberg was found dead with 20 stab wounds. Her death was initially ruled a homicide, then reclassified as a suicide. Joseph Podraza  represents Ellen Greenberg’s parents and is quoted in the CNN article.
• Lamb McErlane partner Joseph Podraza was interviewed by NewsNation’s Brian Entin regarding the Ellen Greenberg case. Ellen Greenberg was found dead in 2011 with 20 stab wounds. Her death was initially ruled a homicide, then quickly reclassified as a suicide. Podraza is the lawyer for Greenberg’s parents, who are fighting to change the manner of the Ellen’s death from suicide to homicide or undetermined. Watch the segment here.
• Teacher Ellen Greenberg may have hidden vital clue in her journal before she was stabbed to death 20 times in ‘suicide’ – so where is it? Read the Daily Mail article here with from Lamb McErlane partner, Joseph Podraza
• Parents of Ellen Greenberg, teacher found stabbed 10 times in head, neck, win right to challenge suicide ruling – New York Post article with quotes from Lamb McErlane partner, Joseph Podraza.  Podraza represents Ellen Greenberg’s parents.
• Daily Mail Article on Ellen Greenberg: Bombshell update in horrific case of bride-to-be whose death was ruled a suicide after she was stabbed 20 times – as her family speak out. Lamb McErlane partner Joseph Podraza quoted.
• Pa. Supreme Court to Weigh Whether Estates May Challenge Faulty Death Certificate Findings. Legal Intelligencer / Law.com article. The case stands to establish a path for estate administrators and executors to call into question the findings of coroners and medical examiner, according to Lamb McErlane partner Joseph Podraza Jr., who represent Ellen Greenberg’s parents.
• PA Supreme Court Takes Up Ellen Greenberg Case to Change Manner of Death to Homicide – Lamb McErlane Partner Joe Podraza Interviewed
• PA Supreme Court agrees to review suicide ruling in stabbing case. Lamb McErlane partner, Joseph Podraza, the lawyer for Greenberg’s parents, told The Philadelphia Inquirer that death rulings can impact survivors’ ability to access insurance money and victims funds. He also questioned giving a coroner or medical examiner “absolute discretion that can’t be challenged.”
• Kline & Specter Calls Ex-Client’s Suit A ‘Sham’ – Law360 Article. Kline & Specter is represented by Lamb McErlane partner Joseph Podraza Jr.
• New Testimony in Ellen Greenberg Case, Teacher Found Dead with 20 Stab Wounds, Lamb McErlane Partner Joe Podraza Interviewed by The Independent.
• Kline & Specter, Bosworth Battle Over Millions in Attorney Fees Amid Ongoing Feud. Kline & Specter is seeking millions of dollars worth of attorney fees from cases ex-associate Thomas Bosworth took from the firm. Kline & Specter is represented by partner Joseph Podraza Jr.
• The parents of Ellen Greenberg, a Philadelphia teacher found stabbed to death in 2011, want the knife found piercing her chest to be fingerprinted. | See the Fox News Article / News Report. Lamb McErlane Partner Joe Podraza represents the Greenberg family.
• Family of Ellen Greenberg not giving up after latest Pennsylvania appellate court ruling. Lamb McErlane Partner Joe Podraza represents the Greenberg family. CBS Philadelphia.
• Ellen Greenberg died by ‘suicide’ with 20 stab wounds. Her parents are out to prove that’s impossible. Penn Live’s three-part article series. Lamb McErlane attorney Joseph Podraza represents the Greenberg family. Read more.
• Kline & Specter Adds Abuse of Process Allegations Against Bosworth, Claims Ex-Associate Weaponized Social Media for Economic Attacks. Lamb McErlane partner Joseph Podraza represents Kline & Specter.
• Case of Philly teacher Ellen Greenberg, whose 2011 death by 20 stab wounds was ruled suicide, heard by court. Nov. 15, 2022 Philadelphia Inquirer article. Lamb McErlane partner Joseph Podraza, Jr., the Greenberg family attorney was interviewed.
• Ellen Greenberg ‘suicide’: Pennsylvania court hears arguments in family’s bid to overrule medical examiner. Lamb McErlane partner Joe Podraza quoted. Click here for the Fox News article.
• Judges Hear Appeal Arguments on Ellen Greenberg, Teacher Found Dead With 20 Stab Wounds, Click here to watch the 6abc news story and interview with partner Joe Podraza.
• Legal battle over death of Ellen Greenberg heads to court, click here for the CBS Philadelphia news story, with an interview and quotes from partner Joe Podraza.
• Daily Mail article regarding the Ellen Greenberg case. Cops finally reevaluate ‘suicide’ case of 27-year-old Philadelphia teacher found by fiancé in her apartment with 20 stab wounds – including ten to the BACK of her head. Read the article here.
• Fox News discusses the Ellen Greenberg case with Nancy Grace. Watch the interview here.
• The Ellen Greenberg Case was featured on Inside Edition: Case of Philadelphia Teacher Stabbed 20 Times Gets Reopened 10 Years Later. Lamb McErlane partner Joe Podraza was interviewed.
• Teacher Death Mystery: A Nancy Grace Investigation Episodes. Lamb McErlane partner Joe Podraza, who is representing the Greenberg family was interviewed. Nancy Grace investigates the suspicious suicide of Ellen Greenberg, a Philadelphia schoolteacher found dead in her apartment with 20 stab wounds. Questions persist as to whether it was suicide or something more sinister surrounding Ellen’s death. (a subscription is required to view the show)
• The death of Ellen Greenberg, a 27-year-old teacher found dead of more than 20 stab wounds inside her locked Manayunk apartment in 2011, will now be re-reviewed by the Chester County District Attorney’s Office. Lamb McErlane partner Joe Podraza, who is representing the Greenberg family was interviewed: Watch the interview on 6abc here.
• Joseph Podraza was interviewed on NBC10 Philadelphia on the new developments in the Ellen Greenberg case. A new Court Opinion will allow the death case to reopen.
• Dougherty v. Nat’l Union Fire Ins. Co. of Pittsburgh, PA.  The court found that reasonable grounds existed to grant the preliminary injunction petitioned for by plaintiff such that insurance company was ordered to advance defense costs to plaintiff. Petition granted. Attorney Joseph Podraza represents Dougherty in the case. Read more. 
• Mystery Deepens. A civil suit reveals new details in the case of Ellen Greenberg, whose death by 20 stab wounds was ruled suicide. Read the March 27, 2022 front page article in the Philadelphia Inquirer.  Lamb McErlane attorney Joseph R. Podraza represents the Greenberg Family.
• John Dougherty Secures Insurance Coverage for Defense
  Against Extortion Charges. Legal Intelligencer article. Lamb McErlane attorney Joseph Podraza represented Dougherty in the case.
• Convicted Philly Union Boss Wins Defense Fee Advance. Law 360 article. Lamb McErlane attorney Joseph Podraza represented Dougherty in the case.
• Special Injunction is granted to Plaintiff John J. Dougherty’s Petition. He is seeking an advance to cover his criminal defense costs and expenses under a policy issued by Defendant National Union Fire Insurance Company. Lamb McErlane attorney Joseph Podraza is one of the attorneys representing Dougherty.
• CBS21 – Harrisburg, New evidence brought forward in controversial suicide case. Lamb McErlane attorney Joseph Podraza is interviewed CBS21 News on the mysterious death of Ellen Greenberg. Watch the news story here.
• Lamb McErlane attorney Joseph Podraza is quoted in a recent A&E True Crime Blog: Stories & News, ‘Ellen Greenberg’s Mysterious Death: Could Someone Be Capable of Stabbing Themselves 20 Times?’ Read the article here.
• New Details in Suspicious Death of Local Teacher Ellen Greenberg.  Watch the latest interview on NBC10 Philadelphia with Lamb McErlane attorney Joseph Podraza. Podraza is representing the Greenberg family, who has spent more than 10 years fighting to have their daughter’s death ruled a homicide, not a suicide.
• Pa. Teacher Was Stabbed 20 Times, but Death Was Ruled Suicide — Now Authorities Are Reviewing Case. Ellen Greenberg’s family has long maintained that their daughter’s death was a homicide, not a suicide. Lamb McErlane PC attorney Joseph Podraza is representing the Greenberg family. The case has received National coverage, see the article in People.com.
• Lamb McErlane PC Attorney Joseph Podraza Interviewed by the Washington Post on the Death of Ellen Greenberg
• A Philadelphia judge heard arguments from Lamb McErlane PC partner Joseph Podraza and two hours of testimony over Ellen Greenberg’s mysterious death. Watch the CBS 3 Philly news story here.
• Lamb McErlane PC Attorney Joseph Podraza Interviewed by CBS 3 Philly on the Death of Ellen Greenberg. See the interview here.
• Joseph Podraza was  interviewed by NBC Philadelphia on the tragic death of Ellen Greenberg. New evidence suggests Greenberg, found stabbed 20 times in 2011, was murdered, not a suicide, as ruled by the Philadelphia Medical Examiner. Watch the interview here.
• Lamb McErlane PC partner Joseph Podraza is representing the parents of a Springfield student who committed suicide, alleging the district didn’t tell them about bullying which led to his death.
• Federal Judge Tosses Part of Secretary of Labor’s Lawsuit Over Intimidation in IBEW. Lamb McErlane Attorney Joseph R. Podraza, Jr. Representing IBEW.
• Joseph R. Podraza, Jr. is the Attorney for Local 98, IBEW, see article: Judge Trims Labor Department’s Claims of Union Intimidation
• Joseph Podraza was interviewed by CBS 3 Philly on the 10^th anniversary of the death of Ellen Greenberg. New evidence suggests Greenberg, found stabbed 20 times, was murdered, not a suicide.
• Joseph Podraza was quoted in an updated Daily Mail article on the death of  Ellen Greenberg.
• Joseph Podraza was interviewed on Oxygen TV on Saturday, May 9, 2020 at 6pm on a New Season of Accident, Suicide, or Murder. Podraza discussed the mysterious death of Ellen Greenberg. Click here for a preview. 
• Joseph Podraza was quoted in a Daily Mail article on the Ellen Greenberg case.
• Joseph Podraza Interviewed on CBS3 Philly News Discussing New Evidence in Effort to Change Ellen Greenberg’s Mysterious Death from Suicide to Homicide.
• Suicide or Homicide: Mystery over Ellen Greenberg Death Baffles Experts – See Joseph Podraza Interviewed on CBS21 News
• Lamb McErlane PC Attorney Joe Podraza Featured/Interviewed on Fox 29 News in the Ellen Greenberg Case

*Philadelphia Office Address:
1601 Market Street, Suite 2560, Philadelphia, PA 19103