"Achieving results for my clients is my #1 priority.  Being aggressive and going the extra mile is what it takes to get my clients the results they deserve."

Biography

Born in Jersey City and raised in Metuchen, Joe's blue-collar background instilled in him the drive and determination needed to succeed.  He attended the prestigious St. Joseph High School in Metuchen, NJ prior to enrolling in the University of Delaware. There he studied mechanical engineering before transitioning to a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology and Criminal Justice with eyes on a career in law.  He was teaching assistant for Charles Oberly, the former Attorney General to the State of Delaware.  After graduating, Joe stayed in Delaware and attended Delaware Law School in Wilmington, Delaware. There he continued his pattern of going above and beyond, running several student organizations and being involved in student government.  While still in law school, Joe joined the firm of Buttafuoco, Arce and Price in South Plainfield, NJ, where he worked as a clerk for 3 years.  Joe graduated in 2011 and was then admitted to practice in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and the Federal District of New Jersey.  Joe joined the Law Office of Patrick Patel in December of 2011.  

Virtually all of Joe’s legal career has been in the realm of civil litigation, with a primary focus on representing injured individuals in the Superior Court of New Jersey and in the Workers' Compensation courts. Joe handles many cases involving auto collisions, motorcycle accidents, trucking accidents, premise liability matters including fall-down cases, as well as wrongful death and catastrophic injury cases.   

Joe has expertly handled hundreds of personal injury cases and tried over 20 cases to verdict in the Superior Court of New Jersey, as well as successfully arguing before the New Jersey Supreme Court and Appellate Court. Over his career, Joe has secured millions of dollars of settlements and jury awards for his clients.  Personalized attention, knowledge of substantive law and a willingness to battle hard on behalf of his clients are the tools he credits with achieving the most positive results.

Joe has been a partner with the Law Office of Patrick Patel since 2017.

EDUCATION

• St. Joseph High School, Metuchen NJ - 2002

• University of Delaware, Newark, DE - B.A. Sociology, concentration Crim. Justice - 2006

• Delaware Law School, Wilmington, DE - J.D. - 2011

Bar Admissions

• New Jersey - 2011

• Pennsylvania - 2011

• Federal District of New Jersey - 2011

Awards and honors

• Recognized by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Certified Civil Trial Attorney

• Nominated to New Jersey Super Lawyers “Rising Stars” list - 2023, 2022, 2021. A description of the selection process can be found here.

MEMBERSHIPS

• Hudson County Bar Association

• American Association for Justice (AAJ)

Representative cases

• Nally v. Shyshka, A-2179-13, matter involving fall-down and trimalleolar fracture of the ankle. Matter dismissed on Summary Judgment, which was reversed by unanimous decision in the Appellate Division, ultimately settled prior to trial.

• O’Donnell v. N.J. Turnpike Authority, 236 NJ 335 (2019), Supreme Court decision expanding NJ Tort Claims Act to include a late Notice of Claim when one has already been timely served by a co-plaintiff with the same theory of liability.

• Huggins v. Aquilar, 246 NJ 75 (2021), Plaintiff injured by defendant Aguilar while operating a loaner vehicle, matter involving novel issue of coverage afforded by garage policy. Matter argued successfully before the New Jersey Supreme Court, changing NJ case law on coverage afforded to dealer loaner vehicles.

NOTABLE JURY VERDICTS AND SETTLEMENTS

• $1,700,000 jury verdict. Plaintiff injured in rear end auto accident. Neck and back herniations without surgery. “No pay” by defendant insurance carrier prior to trial on limited tort defense.

• $460,000 jury verdict. Plaintiff injured in rear end auto accident. Neck and back complaints with a prior accident and preexisting pathology. $1,500 offer prior to trial.

• $500,000 full policy recovery for hit-and-run wrongful death action

• $350,000 settlement for dog bite injuries to plaintiff.

• $975,000 settlement for rear end collision with lost wages.

• $25,000 jury verdict for plaintiff with multiple prior injuries to same body parts. “No pay” by defendant insurance carrier prior to trial.

*each matter is unique and prior results do not guarantee the same or similar recovery in any other action