Business Details
50 Years
experience
Premier Legal Defense Services in New Jersey
Founded in 1976, our firm has built a reputation as a trusted legal partner with a team of nineteen attorneys and fifty total personnel. Our attorneys average over 25 years of experience in civil litigation, trial, and appellate practice, consistently maintaining the highest AV rating from Martindale Hubbell. We specialize in defending complex cases across construction defect, products liability, employment law, and more, serving national insurers and Fortune 500 companies.Our approach combines aggressive litigation strategies with proactive risk management to exceed client expectations. With offices in New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, we provide tailored legal solutions grounded in deep industry expertise and a commitment to excellence.
Services
Appellate Practice
Commercial Liability
Construction Defect
Employment Discrimination
Environmental Litigation
Products Liability
Wrongful Death Claims
Insurance Coverage
Trucking Litigation
Workers Compensation
Details
- Year established: 1976
Highlights and features
- We offer 25+ years of average attorney experience in civil litigation.
- Our firm maintains the highest AV Martindale Hubbell rating for legal excellence.
- We specialize in complex defense cases across multiple high-risk industries.
- We provide proactive risk management strategies to prevent future litigation.
- Our attorneys have secured favorable outcomes in thousands of appellate cases.
Associations and certifications
- Martindale Hubbell
Services
Appellate Practice
Our attorneys manage all aspects of appeals, providing rigorous legal analysis and strategic advocacy. We represent clients in state and federal appellate courts, leveraging deep procedural knowledge to secure favorable outcomes through well-researched briefs and oral arguments.
Construction Defect
We defend construction professionals against defect claims involving design flaws, workmanship issues, and warranty breaches. Our team aggressively pursues risk transfer opportunities while resisting upstream liability claims to protect client interests in residential and commercial cases.
Employment Discrimination
Our firm specializes in defending employers against discrimination, harassment, and wrongful termination claims. We combine litigation expertise with preventive counseling to minimize legal exposure and develop effective workplace policies for long-term compliance.
Environmental Litigation
We represent clients in environmental contamination cases involving water pollution, asbestos exposure, and hazardous waste. Our attorneys combine legal expertise with scientific understanding to challenge exposure claims and mitigate liability in complex multi-party litigation.
Products Liability
Our practice includes defending manufacturers and distributors against product defect claims. We employ technical experts and develop comprehensive defense strategies focused on product safety standards, usage patterns, and liability apportionment to achieve favorable settlements or verdicts.
People
William H. Mergner, Jr.
Attorney
Experienced litigator with over 25 years of expertise in civil defense cases, focusing on construction defect and appellate advocacy. Proven track record in complex litigation and client counseling.
Mark Bongiovanni
Attorney
Skilled trial attorney specializing in employment discrimination and insurance coverage matters. Recognized for strategic defense approaches and successful appellate outcomes in high-stakes litigation.
James T. Gill
Attorney
Seasoned litigator with extensive experience in environmental torts and products liability cases. Expertise in managing complex discovery and developing technical defense strategies for manufacturing clients.
David J. Dering
Attorney
Focused on commercial liability and contractual risk transfer. Advises construction clients on liability mitigation and represents businesses in multi-jurisdictional dispute resolution.
Brian Peoples
Attorney
Specializes in workers' compensation defense and public entity litigation. Provides strategic counsel to insurers and municipalities on liability management and compliance issues.
Questions
What areas of law does Leary, Bride, Mergner & Bongiovanni specialize in?
We specialize in civil litigation defense, including construction defect, products liability, employment discrimination, environmental torts, insurance coverage, and appellate practice.
How experienced is your legal team?
Our attorneys average over 25 years of experience, with a proven track record in complex litigation and appellate advocacy across multiple jurisdictions.
Do you handle cases outside New Jersey?
Yes, we serve clients in New York, Pennsylvania, and nationwide through our strategically located offices and extensive legal network.
What sets your firm apart from competitors?
Our combination of Martindale AV ratings, deep industry knowledge, and proactive risk management strategies delivers superior client outcomes.
Can you assist with insurance coverage disputes?
Yes, we provide comprehensive representation for insurers in coverage disputes, bad faith claims, and complex liability matters.
