Alfred W. Putnam, Jr.

Senior Counsel and Chairman Emeritus

+1 215 988 2757 fax

VCard PDF

Overview

Alfred Putnam is a trial and appellate litigator clients turn to when the stakes are at their highest. He has won two million-dollar jury verdicts in federal commercial cases and has tried cases in several courts of common pleas and orphans courts. Alfy is also experienced in commercial arbitration proceedings. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers and a member of the American Law Institute.

Appellate Litigation

Alfy is perhaps best known for his experience in the appellate process. A former law clerk to the Honorable Arlin M. Adams on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, he taught a course in appellate advocacy at the University of Pennsylvania Law School for five years. His appellate work has produced excellent results for clients including, in some cases, favorable settlements after the briefs were filed but the cases were argued and decided.

Corporate Disputes

Several of Alfy’s matters have involved disputes between joint venturers or among shareholders of closely held companies. He has both trial and appellate experience in cases involving “dissenters’ rights” statutes and has both brought and defended suits based on the protections given certain minority shareholders under Pennsylvania’s Business Corporation Law.

Faculty Positions

University of Pennsylvania Law School — Appellate Advocacy course

Related Legal Services

Litigation Antitrust Appellate Class Actions Commercial Disputes Financial Services Litigation

Credentials

Bar Admissions

Pennsylvania

Clerkships

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, Hon. Arlin M. Adams, 1978-1979

Education

University of Pennsylvania Law School
J.D. University of Pennsylvania Law Review - Editor-in-Chief (1978)

University of Oxford
B.A. first class honors (1975)

Harvard University
A.B. summa cum laude (1973)

Insights & Events

New Jersey Supreme Court Rules in High-Profile Historic Preservation Grants Case

2 min read

News March 2013

First Year Associate Development Program Noted in Philadelphia Business Journal and Philadelphia Inquirer

2 min read

News June 2005

Alfred Putnam Comments on U.S. Supreme Court Ten Commandments Decision

3 min read

Leadership & Community

Professional Associations

American Law Institute
American College of Trial Lawyers — Fellow, 1997-present
University of Pennsylvania Law School American Inn of Court — Master, 1994-present (President, 2002-04; Chairman, 2005-07)
Vector Security — Director, 2012-present
University of Pennsylvania Order of the Coif — President 1989-present
The Philadelphia Contributionship — Director, 2012-present
Philadelphia Club — President, 1993-97

Civic Activities

Lankenau Medical Center Foundation — Trustee, 1988-present (Chairman, 1996-present)
Jefferson Health System — Board of Governors, 1995-2014 (Chairman, 2004-09)
Main Line Health System — Board of Governors, 1993-2005
Fox Chase Cancer Center — Trustee, 1995-98
The People for John Heinz — Secretary and Counsel, 1991-95

Firm Leadership

Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP — Chairman, 2005-15

Honors

Best Lawyers^® — Appellate Practice (Lawyer of the Year, 2024); Bet-the-Company Litigation; Commercial Litigation, 2020-24
Pennsylvania Super Lawyers — 2004-05, 2007-23

Awards Methodology
No aspect of these recognitions has been approved by the highest court of any state.