UPDATE 1 — Uber gets green light to pursue racketeering case against Philadelphia lawyer

(Adds comment from Daniel Rhynhart in paragraph 5) By David Thomas Oct 13 (Reuters) — Uber Technologies can pursue civil racketeering claims against a Philadelphia-based lawyer even though the company's insurer footed its defense bills in a series of allegedly fraudulent personal injury lawsuits, a federal judge ruled on Tuesday. US District Judge Mark Kearney in Philadelphia held that the rideshare giant has standing to pursue its case against Marc Simon and his firm Simon & Simon. Uber alleges the law firm worked with doctors and other providers to file fraudulent personal injury claims against it and Federal Express Corporation. Simon and his firm have denied wrongdoing. "Uber did not relinquish its standing to sue parties who bring fraudulent claims against it by purchasing liability insurance and permitting its conduit, Farmers, to issue payments on its behalf," Kearney wrote in his 14-page ruling. An Uber spokesperson said in a statement that Kearney's ruling "makes clear that Uber can continue pursuing its racketeering claims, and we remain confident in our case." Daniel Rhynhart of Blank Rome, who represents Simon and his firm, said in a statement that they were disappointe