Vcard
PDFJoe is a partner in the Catastrophic Loss & Tort Defense and OSHA & VOSH Defense practice groups.
Joe has two decades experience defending commercial transportation and other businesses in complex litigation and potentially high exposure claims, including traumatic brain injuries, paraplegia/quadriplegia, burn injuries, fire losses, drownings, and wrongful deaths.
Joe is panel counsel in Virginia for national commercial transportation companies, road construction contractors, and product manufacturers. In these roles, Joe has significant experience handling complex risk transfer issues, including indemnity, additional insured, and other contractual provisions.
In addition, Joe and his team provide clients with 24/7 rapid response to serious accidents across Virginia and surrounding areas. He has significant experience working with consultants and experts to investigate the cause of the incident and to preserve evidence to defend the potential claim. He is also called on to represent clients in OSHA and VOSH inspections and audits, as well as contesting citations and penalties.
Joe is an active member of the Themis Advocates Group, a national network of leading civil defense attorneys and law firms located throughout the United States. The Themis network includes 27 firms with over 700 attorneys, representing clients in 45 states, with the combined mission of providing clients across the nation with professional, high-end, cost-effective legal services. Themis provides several events throughout the year, including educational conferences, the Annual Mock Trial, and various webinars on cutting-edge issues and innovations.
Joe holds Martindale-Hubbell’s AV Preeminent© rating—the highest possible—in both legal ability and ethical standards. He has also been peer-recognized for inclusion in the lists by Best Lawyers in America,® Litigation-Insurance, Virginia Business magazine’s Legal Elite and Virginia Super Lawyers. In addition, Joe does pro bono legal work through the Legal Aid Society of Eastern Virginia and is a member of the Norfolk Portsmouth Bar Association's Pro Bono Committee.
Practice Areas
Experience
Relevant Complex Litigation Experience: Joe's experience includes representing:
- Trucking and Transportation: Defense of property damage and personal injury claims.
- Contractors on Large Road Projects: Defense in negligence claims and serious bodily injury and wrongful death accidents.
- Product Manufacturers, Distributors and Retailers: Defense of product liability claims, including coordinating fire and explosion investigations using NFPA 921 guidelines.
- REITs, Owners, and Property Management Companies: Defense of premises liability claims at apartment complexes, office buildings, shopping centers, and retail stores.
- Retailers and Stores: Defense in general liability, premises liability, products liability, negligent hiring/retention, and assault and battery claims.
- Restaurants and Food Service Providers: Handling claims related to general liability, premises liability, burns, and foodborne illnesses.
- Defense of Consumer Complaints: Addressing consumer complaints and lawsuits under Virginia's consumer protection laws, including the Virginia Consumer Protection Act (VCPA).
- Construction Companies: Handling construction defect claims and accidents involving significant property damage, bodily injury, and wrongful death.
- Employers EPL: Defense in wrongful termination and employment discrimination matters.
- Workplace Safety & OSHA: Defense in OSHA investigations, including contesting citations and penalties.
- Insurance Coverage: Defense and prosecution of insurance coverage disputes.
Relevant Workplace Safety and OSHA Experience: Joe's experience defending employers in OSHA/VOSH investigations, includes:
- Manufacturers: Defense of a large steel mill, a large manufacturer of cranes and construction machinery, an olive oil distribution plant, a woodchipper processing plant, poultry plants, among others.
- Construction Industry: Defense of general contractors and subcontractors in various construction trades.
- Government Entities and Municipalities: Defense of Virginia cities and counties.
- Medical and Healthcare Industry: Defense of employers operating at healthcare facilities.
- General Business Industry: Defense of other businesses, including: a national multi-unit property management company, mobile pet grooming provider, warehouses, museum, and more.
Previous Positions
- Former Law Clerk: Virginia Circuit Court, Fourth Judicial Circuit, City of Norfolk.
- Former Legal Intern: Virginia Circuit Court, Nineteenth Judicial Circuit, Fairfax County and Fairfax City.