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Joseph R. Bonfig

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267.765.9627
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267.765.9677
Joseph R. Bonfig

Joseph R. Bonfig is a member of the Zarwin Baum defense group and solely devoted to civil defense litigation. The primary focus of his practice is with complex litigation matters involving Trucking and Transportation.  Joseph is regularly retained by some of the nation’s largest insurers, third party administrators, motor carriers and businesses when they face such matters. Joseph also serves as the Lead Field Counsel for the firm’s National Emergency Response Team for such companies as Coach USA/Megabus and holds appointments as National Lead Field and Regional Lead Field Counsel for several large transportation companies and third party administrators in response to truck and bus accidents and in defense of the personal injury suits that result from the same. Joseph also represents a variety of clients in areas of Products Liability, Premises Liability and other areas of general liability. He maintains a high volume, wide-ranging caseload in areas ranging from commercial motor vehicles to technical equipment, such as cranes and air lifts, to slip and fall accidents.

Zarwin Baum has a uniquely experienced Catastrophic Accident Response Team (“CAT Team”) staffed 24/7, 365 days per year in which Joseph is the Lead Field Counsel. Working with a team of experts and investigators in the field during a catastrophic emergency, numerous carriers and self insureds rely on Joseph’s expertise and guidance to handle the CAT team’s early field investigation and manage large claim exposure.

In addition, Joseph works with senior counsel on a variety of complex litigation matters where there is catastrophic loss and highly technical and legal issues. He has experience in Multi-District Litigation defending a dietary supplements manufacturer; and has litigated medical malpractice, legal malpractice and asbestos cases. Joseph also has appellate experience wherein he has submitted, argued and been successful before a number of appellate courts.

Joseph was included on the Pennsylvania list of Rising Stars for the years of 2007 to 2016, an honor received by only 2.5% of Pennsylvania lawyers each year. Rising Stars are chosen by their peers as being among the top promising lawyers in the state.

Prior to joining Zarwin Baum, Joseph was an associate with Marshall Dennehey where he litigated various matters involving Products Liability, Premises Liability, Medical Malpractice and other areas of general liability. After graduating from law school, Joseph joined Sweeney & Sheehan, a civil defense litigation firm, where the focus of his practice was workers’ compensation and premise liability. Joseph is a graduate of the University of Scranton and Widener University School of Law where he was an editor for the Delaware Journal of Corporate Law.

Joseph R. Bonfig
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Representative Matters

Emergency Response; Sixty-Four Vehicle Pile-Up, Pennsylvania

Three fatal and numerous injuries. Snow squall immediately covered major roadway resulting in several chain reaction impacts which totaled sixty-four vehicles including numerous commercial motor vehicles. As Lead Field Counsel, I immediately responded to scene upon notice and managed and directed emergency response personnel and secured the driver for attorney-client privilege purposes.

Emergency Response; Triple Fatal, Indiana

Three fatalities and 2 injured. Notice of accident was received at 10:00PM. As Lead Field Counsel, I was on scene the very next morning and managed a team of investigators and reconstruction experts at the scene. Commercial Motor Vehicle was carrying an over-sized load with permits and escorts. All vehicles involved were preserved for inspection and driver was properly handled to secure attorney-client privilege. Critical evidence from response preserved for trial purposes.
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Credentials
Court Admissions

State and Federal courts in Pennsylvania and New Jersey

Bar Admissions

U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania, 2010

Pennsylvania, 2001

U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 2002

New Jersey, 2001

U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, 2001

Memberships

Pennsylvania Bar Association

Philadelphia Bar Association

Education

Widener University School of Law, J.D., 2001

University of Scranton, B.S., Political Science 1998