Joel M. Doner

Overview

Joel M. Doner practices out of Eckert Seamans’ Wilmington office. He also maintains an active practice in Philadelphia, South New Jersey and actively litigates in the U.S. District Courts of Delaware and the Eastern District of Pennsylvania . His practice focuses on general litigation, with particular emphasis on products liability, mass tort, defective construction, corporate litigation, and personal injury matters. He has significant experience in complex litigation involving insurance coverage, significant property loss, serious personal injuries, and wrongful death matters. Joel has tried cases before juries in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas in Pennsylvania, and the Superior Court of Delaware. Further, he has argued appeals before the Superior Court of Pennsylvania; New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division; and the Delaware Supreme Court.

Outside of litigation, Joel’s practice involves assisting small businesses in corporate formation, commercial contracts, and advising them on legal issues in order to avoid potential litigation or defend corporate lawsuits.  Further, he has advised several nonprofit organizations on legal matters, both before and after litigation has begun.

Representative Matters

• Conducted virtual depositions as Lead Defense counsel in multiple asbestos matters, successfully argued motions in the Delaware Superior Court via zoom and court conference systems, since the Covid-19 pandemic shut down live depositions and court hearings.
• Successfully represented a co-owner in Delaware’s Court of Chancellery matter over a legal dispute between the co-owners of the business.
• Successfully defended multiple manufacturers, land owners, and contractors in asbestos-related matters in Delaware, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.
• Argued on behalf of a Delaware contractor before the Delaware Supreme Court, resulting in precedent-setting law on the application of the Delaware Statute of Limitations.
• Successfully represented a national retail business in trial in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania in the defense of claims for injuries that occurred on their properties. Including a successful appeal in the Pennsylvania Superior Court in one matter and obtaining a new trial for the client.
• Successfully represented the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Assigned Claims Plan in defense of multiple claims from uninsured plaintiffs who were in motor vehicle accidents.
• Represented various Pennsylvania insurance companies in defense of a bad faith claims.
• Represented a national retailer in Federal Court in defense of claims related to an allegedly defective sports drink sold by them at various locations throughout the United States.
• Successfully represented a New Jersey commercial real estate company in an appeal to the New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division, on a precedent-setting matter in order to recover commissions for the sale of a commercial marina.
• Advised various insurance companies and corporate clients in evaluating potential claims prior to a filed lawsuit to help determine the carrier’s and or client’s potential course of action.
• Assisted multiple small businesses in Delaware, Pennsylvania and New Jersey with corporate formation, dissolution, drafting and analysis of various contracts, and non-disclosure agreements.
• Assisted several 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations with initial formation, contract disputes, harassment policies, and other potential litigation issues.