Timothy G. Ventura, Business Attorney in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Tim is Chair of the Philadelphia Professional Liability Practice Group and the Insurance Agents and Brokers Liability Group. He focuses his practice on the defense of errors and omissions claims brought against insurance agents and brokers of all sizes. He also oversees and manages the day-to-day operations of a broad range of professional liability attorneys.

While Tim’s practice is focused on defending insurance agents and brokers, he also frequently defends attorneys, corporate directors and officers, and a variety of real estate professionals, including title agents, appraisers, brokers, home inspectors and lenders in E&O and malpractice claims brought against them. He has successfully tried multiple cases as first chair counsel resulting in jury trial defense verdicts and tried dozens of arbitrations in Pennsylvania. Tim also has experience defending product liability matters.

In addition to his civil litigation practice, Tim is a frequent speaker and author of publications on various topics regarding Insurance Agent/Broker Errors & Omissions, for clients, brokers, industry trade associations and professional liability insurers.

In 2003, Tim graduated from Boston College with a Bachelor of Arts in political science. During the fall semester of his junior year at BC, he clerked for Senator John Kerry (D-MA). Tim then attended Temple University Beasley School of Law in Philadelphia, PA, where he earned his juris doctor in 2006. He achieved various honors while at Temple Law School, including: Temple University Law Faculty Scholarship recipient; Outstanding Oral Advocacy in Trial Advocacy; and Distinguished Classroom Performance - Civil Procedure. He was also a staff member of the Temple Political and Civil Rights Law Review.

While attending Temple Law, Tim also worked part-time as a law clerk with Liberty Mutual Insurance Group in the Philadelphia Legal Department.

Classes/Seminars Taught

•The Seven-Ten Split Mock Trial: Navigating Agent Errors & Omissions, The Annual Professional Insurance Agents (PIA) Conference, Atlantic City, New Jersey, June 2, 2024
•Pandemic Coverage Litigation Update / Insurance Broker Best Practices, Client Webinar, September 2022
•The Aftermath of the Pandemic For Carriers and Agents, Client Webinar, July 2021
•Pandemic Coverage Litigation Update - Agent E&O Wars to Come, Client Seminar, March 2021
•COVID 19 and Insurance Agent E&O, Best Practices, IA&B webinar, May 2020
•Insurance Agent / Broker E&O Litigation Trends & Best Practices during COVID Crisis, Client Webinar, April 2020
•Insurance Agent / Broker E&O Litigation Trends & Best Practices, Client Seminar, April 2019
•Insurance Agent / Broker E&O - Claims Prevention and Defense in 2018 and Beyond, Client webinar, February 2018
•Mediation and Pre-Suit Claims Handling - Best Practices, Client Seminar, August 2016
•Insurance Agent E&O Claims Prevention and Defense - The Road Ahead in 2016, Client Seminar, March 2016
•Developments and Emerging Trends in the Legal and Insurance Areas of Cybersecurity, Client Seminar, February 2016
•CPCU Society Webinar: Agent & Broker E&O - A New Lens for Viewing Exposures, September 18, 2015

Published Works

•'Pennsylvania Superior Court Rejects Breach of Oral Contract Claim Against Insurance Agent,' PLUS Blog, January 26, 2026
•'Statute of Limitations Stands: Pennsylvania Court Affirms Dismissal of Breach of Contract Claim Against Insurance Broker,' PLUS Blog, March 4, 2025
•'Words Matter: Shielding Against UTPCPL Claims With Subjective Verbiage,' PLUS Blog, March 14, 2024
•'Pennsylvania Federal Court Takes a Bite Out of Restaurant’s COVID/Business Interruption Coverage Claims Against Insurance Broker,' PLUS Blog, October 11, 2021
•PA Supreme Court Decision Helps Insurance Agents, Financial Advisors, Insurance Agents & Brokers (IAB)’s Primary Agent Magazine, September 2018
•'PA Supreme Court Decision Bolsters Defense of Financial Advisors/Insurance Agents,' Insurance Law Global website, February 2018
•Legal Updates for Insurance Agents & Brokers, regular contributor, 2018-present
•'PA Supreme Court Narrows Basis to Establish Fiduciary Duty Owed By Financial Advisors/Insurance Agents,' Defense Digest, Vol. 23, No. 4, December 2017
•'Insurance Agent E&O Claims Prevention and Defense,' Insights, The Institutes CPCU Society, Summer 2017
•'Insurance Broker E&O - Emerging Trends in Civil Litigation and Practice Tips for 2016,' PLUS Journal, November 2015
•'Insurance Broker E&O -- Emerging Trends in Civil Litigation and Practice Tips for 2016,' Riding the E&O Line, newsletter of the DRI's Professional Liability Committee, September 2015
•Case Law Alerts, regular contributor, 2014-present

Results

Philadelphia Commerce Court Grants Summary Judgment, Dismissing $2M Unfair-Competition and Tortious-Interference Claims

We obtained summary judgment dismissal, following Oral Argument, in a Philadelphia Commerce Court commercial litigation matter involving allegations of unfair competition and tortious inference with contract and business relationships, brought by one adult day care center against our client, a competing adult day care facility. The plaintiff’s suit stemmed from alleged violation of regulations set forth by the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and its Office of Long-Term Living. The plaintiff’s final demand was $2 million, and no settlement offers were made before the trial court granted summary judgment.

Montgomery County Court Dismisses Lawsuit Against Insurance Broker

We obtained dismissal of our insurance broker client on Motion for Summary Judgment in the Montgomery County Court of Common Pleas, Pennsylvania, on the basis of no duty breached, and lack of causation. Claimants asserted a professional negligence theory for allegedly allowing a commercial insurance policy to lapse, failing to notify the policyholder claimant of the lapse or cancellation, and allowing a subsequent gap in coverage to exist after the policy cancelled, when an underlying loss occurred. However, after completed discovery depositions and expert discovery, we successfully moved for summary judgment, arguing the policy cancelled because of the policyholder’s own failure to comply with premium audit requirements, rather than any liability or breach of standard of care by the insurance broker.

Thought Leadership

Defense Digest

On the Pulse...Defending the Professionals Who Power the Insurance Industry

March 1, 2026

The Insurance Agents and Brokers Defense Practice Group at Marshall Dennehey is nationally recognized for its skillful representation of insurance professionals in complex civil litigation. With decades of collective experience, our attorneys provide sophisticated, results-driven defense to insurance agents, brokers, managing general agents, and other intermediaries facing professional liability claims. We understand the intricate regulatory frameworks, contractual obligations, and industry standards that govern the insurance marketplace, allowing us to craft defenses that reflect both legal prowess and practical business insight.Our team regularly defends clients in claims alleging negligence, misrepresentation, breach of fiduciary duty, failure to procure coverage, and errors in policy placement or renewal. We also handle disputes arising from alleged bad faith, premium miscalculations, claims denial, and compliance violations. Whether the matter involves a single claim or a multi-jurisdictional class action, our attorneys have the depth of knowledge and trial experience necessary to protect our clients’ reputations and minimize their exposure.Beyond litigation, our practice group emphasizes proactive risk management and claim prevention. We partner with insurance agencies and brokerages to conduct internal audits, develop best practices, and deliver training on evolving industry risks, emerging coverage issues, and regulatory developments. This preventative approach reflects our broader commitment to supporting our clients as trusted advisors, not just defenders, throughout the life of their businesses.At Marshall Dennehey we understand that every claim against an insurance professional carries significant professional and reputational consequences. Our clients rely on us for strategic, efficient, and discreet representation that aligns with their long-term business goals. By combining deep industry knowledge with vigorous advocacy and an unwavering commitment to service, our Insurance Agents and Brokers Defense Practice Group stands at the forefront of protecting the professionals who keep the insurance industry moving.Tim is Chair of the Professional Liability Practice Group, and he can be reached at TGVentura@MDWCG.com.

PLUS Blog

Pennsylvania Superior Court Rejects Breach of Oral Contract Claim Against Insurance Agent

January 26, 2026

While the majority of claims against insurance agents and brokers sound in tort, creative attorneys attempting to combat a two-year statute of limitations on tort claims or the affirmative defense of contributory negligence, may also plead a breach of oral contract claim. In Pennsylvania, contract claims have a four-year statute of limitations and are not barred by the doctrine of contributory negligence. Insureds’ counsel therefore have an incentive to try to plead tort and contract claims, both procedurally and substantively.