Breeana Somers is a Litigation associate who focuses her practice on consumer financial services matters. Prior to joining Ballard Spahr, Breeana worked for a Philadelphia law firm recognized as a “Litigation Powerhouse” by The BTI Consulting Group. In this role, Breeana represented banks, servicers, auto finance companies, and commercial lenders in state and federal courts. Breeana handles a wide variety of banking-related matters, including claims involving bank regulations, the Uniform Commercial Code, NACHA rules, Fair Credit Reporting Act, Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, Telephone Consumer Protection Act, Electronic Fund Transfer Act, Truth in Lending Act, and Bank Secrecy laws. Breeana has successfully represented clients through all stages of the litigation process, from pre-litigation investigation through trial and appellate proceedings.
While attending law school, Breeana gained additional experience as a law clerk for the property subrogation department of a national law firm.
Experience
Representative Matters
Banking/Financial
- Obtained dismissal with prejudice of a putative class action, alleging violation of the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act based on efforts to collect a time barred debt, in the New Jersey U.S. District Court on behalf of a bank’s debt collector vendor
- Obtained dismissal of plaintiff’s common-law negligence claim brought against an auto finance company in a lawsuit involving identity fraud
- Represented a national bank in voidable transfer litigation with a bankruptcy trustee
Commercial
- Obtained denial of a preliminary injunction motion filed by the plaintiff, a Massachusetts-based refractories company, against its former Vice President
Professional Highlights
Pro Bono Experience
- Represented client in application to obtain guardianship of adult son with intellectual disabilities
- Obtained settlement for prisoner in pro bono civil rights action alleging arresting police officers profiled and assaulted him
Professional Activities
American Bar Association, Litigation Section; Communications Committee, Co-Chair, 2023-2024
Philadelphia Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division; Women in the Profession Committee, Liaison to the Young Lawyers Division, 2021-2023
Recognition & Accomplishments
The Best Lawyers in America, “Ones to Watch, 2024
Thomas Reuters, “Philadelphia Super Lawyers Rising Star,” Banking Law, 2024
Speaking Engagements
Presenter, “Beyond Billable Hours: Creating a Fulfilling Legal Career and Family Life,” Leadership Institute for Women of Color Attorneys (LIWOCA) Conference, April 24, 2024
Presenter, “Recent Trends and Hot Topics in Consumer Law,” The Philadelphia Association of Defense Counsel (PADC), September 13, 2022
Presenter, “The Ethics and Challenges of Working Remotely,” TD Bank In-House Attorneys, May 3, 2021
Board Memberships & Community Service
President, "We the Speakers," Toastmasters, 2021-2022
Volunteer, Keystone Fellowship Church
Credentials
Education
Temple University James E. Beasley Law School (J.D., cum laude, 2018)
Certificate in Trial Advocacy and Litigation
Lead Research Editor, Temple International and Comparative Law Journal
Counselor to 1Ls, Academic Core Achievement Program
Secretary/Advocate, Committee 51
Temple University (B.A. 2013)
Admissions
Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania
U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan
U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit