Joseph I. Fontak - Counsel
Office:
New York
Phone:
(212) 486-2400
Fax:
(212) 486-3099
EMail:
Education
B.S., Binghamton University (1985)
J.D., Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law (1991), magna cum laude, law review, criminal law clinic
Download V-CardJoe Fontak has extensive experience in a variety of litigation areas, including toxic tort, product liability, securities, commercial, real estate and insurance. Joe applies his mathematical and actuarial background to complex cases, including federal securities law cases involving pension fund allocations, alleged improper accounting procedures and alleged stock parking practices.
Product liability/ toxic tort
Joe currently supervises attorneys and paralegals in the firm’s role as national coordinating counsel for an asbestos defendant. Joe has responsibility for the defense of our client in jurisdictions around the country. He began his career at Leader & Berkon heading up the day-to-day defense for our client in the IBM Semiconductor Litigation involving over 200 cancers and 50 major birth defects in New York, California and Minnesota courts.
Recent Successes
Joe was lead trial counsel of a Leader & Berkon trial team that obtained a favorable defense verdict following a one-week trial in a construction site personal injury case. Joe’s direct examination of his defense expert and his cross-examination of the plaintiff convinced the jury that plaintiffs’ injuries pre-existed the accident at issue.
Joe successfully obtained the dismissal of a Petition to dissolve a family owned & operated printing business, convincing the Judge that the animosity between the principals did not rise to the level of preventing the continuing profitable operation of the business.
Community Leader
Joe is an active volunteer in community and alumni activities. He is on the board of Le Parc II, the residential community in Princeton Junction, New Jersey where he is resides with his family. He is also on the executive committee and chair of the New Jersey Section of the Cardozo alumni association. He has for years been a mentor to students and on the faculty of the Intensive Trial Advocacy Program at Cardozo.