NATIONALLY RECOGNIZED ATTORNEY FOR PROFESSIONAL LIABILITY ISSUES
Wilhelm Dingler is leader of Bullivant’s Business Law group and a member of the firm’s Board of Directors. He devotes his practice to defending professionals, primarily accountants, attorneys, real estate and insurance professionals, architects, and engineers. A trial attorney for more than 30 years, he has litigated hundreds of cases in state and federal courts in the Pacific Northwest, the Eastern Seaboard, and Alaska. Wilhelm has provided legal counsel to thousands of professionals on thorny issues that need unwinding and continues to offer advice to attorneys and CPAs across the country by phone on “hotlines” under contract with four national insurance carriers. He has a solid understanding of what they’re facing and puts himself in their shoes to tackle their problem with the utmost level of care. Professionals turn to him to talk through the issues so that together they can come up with realistic objectives and cost-efficient solutions.
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Prior to joining Bullivant, Wilhelm was a shareholder for prominent east coast insurance defense firm Marshall, Dennehey, Warner, Coleman & Goggin, P.C. in their Philadelphia headquarters. He also served as Senior Vice President of West Coast Operations for TPA, C. R. Vince & Associate, Inc. based in Northbrook, Illinois. He headed their Seattle office and focused on professional liability claims, coverage issues, and risk management for accountants, architects, and engineers. Early on in his career, Wilhelm also spent almost 10 years in-house with Safeco as head of the accountant, and later the attorney, liability programs.
When Wilhelm first started practicing law, he served as an Assistant Attorney General for the State of Washington providing counsel to the state’s industrial insurance agency. He was a prosecutor for the Medical Disciplinary Board, and upon his move to private practice, the state contracted with his new firm to have him appointed as Special Assistant Attorney General prosecutor for three years following his departure.
PRACTICE AREAS
ADMISSIONS
Bar Admissions
- Washington, 1983
- Pennsylvania, 2005
Court Admissions
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Washington, 1983
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Washington, 1984
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Ninth Circuit, 1990
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 2005
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 2005
- U.S. Tax Court, 2008
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, 2008
- U.S. Bankruptcy Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania, 2008
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania, 2014
EDUCATION
- University of Toledo College of Law – J.D., cum laude, 1983
- University of Notre Dame – B.A., 1980
CLIENT WINS
- Provided a successful and complete defense of a prominent Pacific Northwest professional in litigation where over $50 million was at stake.
- Engaged by a prominent national insurer to represent a group of Texas accountants in a multi-million dollar lawsuit venued in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia, at Norfolk. Successfully resolved the matter within the limited amount of coverage available and was able to insulate clients from substantial excess verdict exposure.
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- Acted as co-counsel in an adversary proceeding in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. Was instrumental in securing a complete defense verdict on behalf of a Philadelphia law firm after a bench trial, which consumed 20 days over the better part of four months.
- Obtained summary judgment of dismissal in a wrongful death claim against an Adult Family Home and the Home Health Aides involving the choking death of one of its residents/patients.
- Successfully defended a chiropractor in a series of claims related to alleged improper treatment(s) beyond the scope of licensure.
- Wilhelm won the first case he ever took to trial. He was representing the State of Washington and Bellingham County. The plaintiff appealed to the intermediate appellate court. The appellate court ruled 2-1 in the plaintiff’s favor. Wilhelm appealed to the Washington Supreme Court and convinced the justices to rule 9-0 in favor of his clients.
- Defense Research Institute (DRI) (Member, Professional Liability Committee and frequent speaker)
- International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) (Member)
- Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS) (Member)
- Co-Presenter, “Come One, Come All. Inviting Others to the Party – Sharing the Blame,” DRI Professional Liability Symposium, New York, NY (Dec. 2021)
- Author, “Mediation: A Better Solution Than You May Have Thought,” Pennsylvania CPA Journal (Fall 2021), Vol. 92 No.3 pp: 14-15
- Co-Author, “CPA ‘Comfort Letters’ to Lenders and Third Parties May Be Traps for Violating Professional Standards and Creates Litigation Risk for Accountants,” Travelers Insurance Co. Advisory Bulletin (2018)
- Co-Author, “Tax Preparation Red Flags: Investigate Red Flags When Preparing Tax Returns for Multiple Related Entities to Prevent Possible Loss Litigation,” Pearl Insurance Risk Management Blog (2018)
- Author, “Outsmarting the Identity Thief,” Pearl Insurance Risk Management Blog (2017)
- Author, “Comfort Letters – What to Do?” Pearl Insurance Risk Management Blog (2017)
- Speaker, “Use of Expert Testimony in Professional Liability,” International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) Professional Liability Roundtable (2017)
- Speaker, “Breakfast Q&A with the IRS,” Greater Philadelphia Society of CPAs Tax Seminar (2017)
- Panelist, “Top 10 Trouble Spots for Accountants and How to Defend Against Them,” Defense Research Institute (DRI) Professional Liability Seminar (2016)
- Speaker, “Dos and Don’ts of Engagement Letters,” Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants (2016)
- Speaker, “The Top Ten Trouble Spots for Accountants,” North American Professional Liability Insurance Agency (NAPLIA) (2016)
- Speaker, “Risk Management – Practical Lessons from the Trenches,” Bucks and Montgomery County Chapters of the Pennsylvania Society of Tax & Accounting Professionals (2016)
- Speaker, “Perception vs. Reality of Engagement Letters,” Wisconsin Institute of Certified Public Accountants Annual Conference (2015)
- Speaker, “What’s New for Accountants and Lawyers PLI?” Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS) International Conference (2014)
- Speaker, “Buying & Selling Accounting Law and Other Non-Medical Professional Practices,” Montgomery County Bar Association (2014)
- Speaker, “Ethical Considerations When Dealing with Distressed Property,” National Business Institute (NBI) (2014)
- Speaker, “Risk Management and Loss Prevention for Accountants,” Kansas City and Kansas Society of CPAs (2014)
- Speaker, “Accountant’s Professional Liability,” Travelers Insurance Co. (2013)
- Speaker, “Handling the Accountant Embezzlement Claim – A Case Study,” Travelers Insurance Co. (2013)
- Speaker, “Forensic Reports: The Federal and State Rules of Evidence – Kovel Letters,” Pennsylvania Institute of CPAs Forensic and Litigation Divorce Conference (2013)
- Panelist, “I Think My Bookkeeper Is Stealing from Me,” PICPA Cooperates with the Bar and Other Professionals (2013)
- Speaker, “Handling the Accountant Embezzlement Claim – A Case Study,” Institute of CPAs Joint Committee on Cooperation with the Bar and Other Professionals (2013)
- Speaker, “Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Accountants Professional Liability Claims Handling, Litigation and Underwriting,” GenStar (a Berkshire Hathaway Company) and Markel Corp. Midwest Region (2013)
- Speaker, “Accountants Professional Liability – Claims Training and Current Issues Discussion,” GenStar and Markel Corp. / AllRisks (2013)
- Author, “Another Arrow in the Defense Quiver,” Agents of America, E&O Prevention Weekly (2012)
- Author, “The IRS, QuickBooks, and You,” Of Mutual Interest (2012)
- Speaker, “Advanced Issues in Foreclosure” (2011)
- Speaker, “Maintaining Professionalism in the Legal Practice,” National Business Institute (NBI) Webinar (2011)
- Speaker, “Tax Consequences of Foreclosure,” National Business Institute (NBI) Webinar (2011)
- Speaker, “Risk Management and Insurance Coverage – Practical Lessons from the Trenches,” Philadelphia Chapter of the Pennsylvania Society of Public Accountants Annual Meeting (2011)
- Speaker, “Risky Business: Risk Management Techniques for Accounting Firms,” Argo Pro, Insight Insurance Services and Contract Solutions Group Webinar (2010)
- Speaker, “Accountants’ Liability Claims Perspective and Risk Management,” Argo Pro and Insight Insurance Services Webinar (2010)
- Speaker, “Agents and Brokers – A Better Understanding of Legal Developments and Risk Assessment,” Liberty Mutual Agency Underwriters and Claims (2010)
- Speaker, “Dos and Don’ts of Engagement Letters in IRS Tax Representation,” Winning Strategies LLC (2009)
- Speaker, “New Auditing Standards, IRS Regulations: The Turmoil in the American Automotive Market and How Each May Impact Claims, Litigation and Risk Management,” National Alliance of Auto Dealer Advisors (NAADA) Annual Meeting (2009)
- Speaker, “Case Trends: Risk Management and Issues Effecting Underwriting and Claims against Accountants and Attorneys,” (2009)
- Author, “Remember Risk Management with Adoption of New Work Paradigms,” Pennsylvania CPA Journal, Vol. 80, No. 1, p. 16 (2009)
- Speaker, “A Comprehensive Guide to Claims Administration,” Mutual Marine (2009)
- Author, “In Bad Economy, Protect Yourself from Portfolio Collapse Lawsuits,” Pennsylvania CPA Journal, Vol. 79, No. 3, p. 14 (2008)
- Author, “Confronting the Inevitable Blame Game,” Pennsylvania CPA Journal, Vol. 79, No. 2, p. 14 (2008)
- Author, “Top Ten Trouble Spots: Will We Ever Learn?” Pennsylvania CPA Journal, Vol. 78, No. 4, pp. 12-13 (2008)
- Speaker, “New Auditing Standards for Non-Public Companies/Liability and Risk Management Issues,” Morris J. Cohen & Co, PC (2007)
- Speaker, “New Auditing Standards Recently Promulgated by the AICPA and Their Effects on Claims Trends and Underwriting,” Everest National Insurance Company (2007)
- Author, “Mind the Gap in Liability Coverage,” Pennsylvania CPA Journal, Vol. 77, No. 4 (2007)
- Author, “Never Slack on Security,” Pennsylvania CPA Journal, Vol. 77, No. 3 (2006)
- Speaker, “Claims Trends and Risk Management Techniques for Professional Liability Attorneys, Claims Handlers and Underwriters,” Crittenden Conferences Specialty Coverages Conference (2004)
- Speaker, Professional Liability Underwriting Society (PLUS) Mid-Year Miscellaneous E&O Symposium (2004)
- Author, “The Benefits of Advice: One Step to a Better Night’s Sleep,” The Asset Column (2000)
- Author, “Experience Begets Advice,” The Asset Column, Vol. 6, No. 3 (1999)
- Author, “Fact and Fiction of Mediation and the Accountant: A Case Study,” Pennsylvania CPA Journal, Vol. 68, No. 4 (1998)
- Author, “Claims Made and Reported: A View from the Top,” The Asset Column, Vol. 4, No. 3 (1997)
- Distinguished®, Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© (2024 — Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants)
- Order of the Barrister
A WAY TO DECOMPRESS
Wilhelm has been knitting since he was a kid. He learned from his mother and grandmother and has kept it up to this day. He is an avid runner and walks five miles to and from the office each day. He uses knitting, running, and walking as a time to decompress, work through thorny issues and recharge his mental batteries.