Paul Piantino III

Paul Piantino is a partner with the firm and chairs the Newark office. He is the recipient of recognition as the Best Lawyers in America in the practice of Insurance Law in both 2020 and 2021. Mr. Piantino is an accomplished trial lawyer who brings over 25 years of experience representing clients across the country in a broad array of industries, including aviation, transportation, marine, media, healthcare providers, construction, insurance, professional services, and products liability.

Mr. Piantino has a particular focus in aviation matters, having represented airports, airport operators and fixed base operators in litigation ranging from premises liability to aircraft accidents. He has also defended commercial airlines and corporations that provide aviation related services at airport locations. His practice also encompasses representing domestic and foreign insurance carriers in coverage and extra contractual matters. He also regularly defends clients in construction defect, asbestos, environmental and other health hazard cases.

Mr. Piantino has extensive experience representing manufacturers of industrial machinery, home appliances and consumer products in the defense of product liability claims and he also routinely litigates matters in the transportation industry in the defense of catastrophic accidents and regulatory matters, among others. Mr. Piantino is a frequent presenter on topics on Insurance Coverage at seminars and webinars. His unique background as a former state-certified Emergency Medical Technician provides Mr. Piantino with a practical perspective in the handling healthcare litigation and catastrophic tort matters. His litigation practice includes defending a broad range of medical healthcare professionals including physicians, nurses and allied healthcare providers, as well as other professionals including architects, engineers, insurance agents and real estate agents. He also has handled numerous marine related matters including suits involving cargo damage, charterer’s liability, Jones Act and general maritime personal injury claims and in-land marine litigation. He has attended the International Marine Claims Conference in Dublin, Ireland, an invitation-only event which brings together professionals associated with marine claim, including claims personnel, surveyors, attorneys, underwriter member of the P&I clubs and International Underwriting Association.

He is a former Councilman and President of the Board of Education in the Borrow of Woodcliff Lake, NJ. In 1997 he was awarded the Bergen County Legal Services "Lawyer of the Year" for his pro bono efforts on behalf of local residents.