Whether defending clients in high-profile product liability cases or setting precedent in employment law matters, Mr. Joseph H. Blumis sought after for his litigation experience in complicated tort and commercial cases in both state and federal courts.
He counsels clients in response to government investigations and subpoenas, and has secured multimillion-dollar verdicts for clients in national and international matters.
Mr. Blum is also experienced in real estate-based matters including, leases, acquisition and development, easements and real estate-based lending.
Mr. Blum was selected as one of Pennsylvania’s Top Rated Lawyers for his excellence in employment, commercial litigation, and tort litigation, having achieved AV Preeminent Peer Review Ratings on Martindale-Hubbell.
For his work in commercial litigation, labor and employment, and personal injury, Mr. Blum was also recognized as one of New Jersey’s Top Rated Lawyers.
A graduate of the Temple University Beasley School of Law, Mr. Blum’s passion for trial work began during his early years as a police officer and lieutenant in the suburbs of Philadelphia.
With first-hand experience in investigations, interrogations and courtroom presentation and more than 25 years of civil litigation experience, he is particularly well equipped to evaluate and present strong cases on his clients’ behalf.
Attuned to client needs at a time of stress, Mr. Blum listens closely to his clients to determine their ultimate goal, whether it is a quick resolution or trying a case to verdict. He excels at discovering and organizing information, and cutting through the clutter to identify and present the key testimony, documents and evidence that will be effective at trial.
A strong advocate for the National Kidney Foundation, Mr. Blum was recently named chair of the board of directors for the organization’s chapter serving the Delaware Valley for the 2014-2016 term.
The National Kidney Foundation serving the Delaware Valley supports kidney disease and transplant patients through research, patient support groups, educational programs and transportation reimbursement funds for low-income patients.
Representative Matters:
- Mr. Blum served as defense liaison counsel in a products liability matter in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas Mass Tort Program.
- A case in which Mr. Blum won enforcement of the arbitration provision of a contract on behalf of his client, an international furniture manufacturer and distributor, in a dispute with a former executive. Mr. Blum convinced a federal district court judge to set aside state law in favor of the Federal Arbitration Act, avoiding a court trial. Nicholas L. Zammer v. Herman Miller, Inc., Civ. No. 10-922, 201 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 62220 (E.D. Pa. June 22, 2010).
- Mr. Blum secured a $1.85-million verdict on behalf of his client in the widely-reported case of Joseph and Terry Dwek v. Sun National Bank,U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of New Jersey, Adv No. 07-1697.
- Mr. Blum successfully prosecuted and settled a matter on behalf of a New Jersey manufacturer against a Hong Kong-based receiver for breach of contract and tort claims. This included successfully conducting depositions and discovery in Southeast Asia.
- Mr. Blum represented banks and leasing companies in lender liability, deepening insolvency, and fraud claims prosecuted by bankruptcy trustees. The U.S. District Court of New Jersey ruled that neither the legislature nor the state courts recognize an independent cause of action known as “deepening insolvency,” dismissing the case. Blum and his co-counsel subsequently published articles on the ruling in The New Jersey Law Journal and The Secured Lender. Stanziale v. Sun National Bank (In re Dwek) Civ. Div. 39:09-cv-5046 2010 U.S. Dist. Lexis 3203 (D.N.J. Jan. 15, 2010) and Popular Leasing USA, Inc. v. Forman, et al., Civ. No. 09-2788, Civ. No. 09-2964, 2009 U.S. Dist. Lexis 84138 (D.N.J. Sept. 14, 2009).
- Mr. Blum also has experience advising and representing business owners and individuals in employment law matters. He successfully prosecuted and settled a case involving the interaction of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination and the Family Medical Leave Act, which resulted in a published opinion at Brown v. Dunbar Armored, Inc., Civ. No. 08-3286, 2009 U.S. Dist. Lexis 115572 (D.N.J. Dec. 10, 2009).
Education:
- J.D., Temple University, 1982
- B.S., Saint Joseph’s University, 1978
Bar Admissions:
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
- U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court, Western District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals, Sixth Circuit
Community Involvement:
- National Kidney Foundation, Board of Directors, Delaware Valley, Chair (2014-2016)
Memberships:
- American Bar Association, Section of Litigation Pretrial Practice and Discovery Committee
- Philadelphia Bar Association, Technology Committee
- The America, Pennsylvania and Philadelphia Trial Lawyers’ Associations
Cost
Rate : $$$