James Braaten
Litigation Counsel at Vasios, Strollo & Durán, P.A.- Claim this Profile
Click to upgrade to our gold package
for the full feature experience.
Topline Score
Bio
Credentials
-
CLMP - Certified Litigation Management Professional
CLM Alliance (Claims and Litigation Management Alliance)Oct, 2017- Oct, 2024
Experience
-
Vasios, Strollo & Durán, P.A.
-
United States
-
Law Practice
-
1 - 100 Employee
-
Litigation Counsel
-
Sep 2022 - Present
Litigation Counsel, with a primary focus on medical malpractice defense. Since 1981, Vasios, Strollo & Durán, PA, has successfully litigated thousands of matters in the Courts of New Jersey. The attorneys in the firm concentrate on trials in the areas of health care law, complex multi-party suits and mass torts. The partners include litigators, who have been certified as Civil Trial Attorneys by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. The firm has represented hospitals and medical centers throughout northern and central New Jersey. We continue to provide these services, covering a broad range of issues, and involving physicians, midwives and nurses, administrative malpractice, employment law, general negligence, and licensing matters. Over the years, the firm has also been active in the defense of professionals in many fields, including attorneys, insurance brokers, officers and directors, podiatrists, chiropractors and dentists.Knowledgeable and experienced in: Civil litigation: medical malpractice defense, products liability, mass torts (including, asbestos, silica, talc, chemicals, lead, machinery, medical devices, OTC supplements and pharmaceuticals), life sciences, class actions, corporate and commercial contracts, corporate litigation, corporate compliance, construction disputes, employment and labor law, government investigations and regulatory activity, intellectual property, insurance coverage, insurance defense, insurance subrogation, auto, motor vehicle, ridesharing & autonomous vehicles liability, trucking, premises liability, property damage, business interruption, workers compensation, hospital, healthcare and medical provider contracts and litigation. Licensed to practice law in NJ, NY & PA.
-
-
-
-
Senior Litigation Counsel
-
Jul 2012 - Sep 2022
Successful leadership of litigation partnership models with outside co-counsel, trial teams and vendors. Results-driven, highly motivated, innovative, personable, and team oriented. Hands-on leadership management style, encourages group and team cohesion for project success. Strong organizational skills in prioritizing and managing multiple time-sensitive projects simultaneously; willingness to assume heavy workload to meet timing and project needs. Excellent research, writing and communication skills.Strengths: demonstrated ability to think creatively and devise practical solutions to challenging problems. Trust and integrity. Ability to work in fast-paced environments and manage multiple tasks. Developing strong relationships. 18-years plus experience as outside National Coordinating Counsel ("NCC") and Trial Counsel in products liability and mass tort matters for Fortune 500 companies. Leverages technologies for litigation, e-discovery and law firm management. Experienced in all aspects of managing a mid-size law firm of over 12 attorneys and 20 paralegals. Recognized for innovative management strategies in national mass tort litigation.Knowledgeable and experienced in: Civil litigation (plaintiffs and defense), products liability, mass torts (including, asbestos, silica, talc, chemicals, lead, machinery, medical devices, OTC supplements and pharmaceuticals), life sciences, class actions, corporate and commercial contracts, corporate litigation, corporate compliance, construction disputes, employment and labor law, government investigations and regulatory activity, intellectual property, insurance coverage, insurance defense, insurance subrogation, auto, motor vehicle, ridesharing & autonomous vehicles liability, trucking, premises liability, property damage, business interruption, workers compensation, hospital, healthcare and medical provider contracts and litigation. Licensed to practice law in NJ, NY & PA.
-
-
-
-
Managing Partner
-
Jul 2000 - Jul 2012
Managing Partner of Braaten & Pascarella LLC, (f/k/a Pehlivanian & Braaten) Attorneys at Law. Knowledgeable and experienced in the following areas of the law: complex products liability, mass torts (including, asbestos, silica, talc, chemicals, lead, equipment, machinery, and OTC Supplements), pharmaceutical, medical devices, corporate compliance, environmental, insurance coverage, intellectual property, commercial contracts, corporate litigation, subrogation, construction disputes, premises liability, commercial transportation liability, bankruptcy, employment, hospital, healthcare and medical provider litigation and contracts.Served as National Coordinating Counsel (“NCC”) for eighteen plus years for a number of clients in mass tort litigation (asbestos, silica, chemical, and equipment products), including managing over 200,000 pending claims for Ingersoll-Rand, Trane and American Standard. Coordinated, hired, managed and supervised outside local counsel in over 40 states, US Territories, as well a Federal District Courts, MDLs and international claims. Responsible for all facets of pending and threatened litigation nationally. Provided advice and risk analysis to clients on national and local legal, regulatory, industry trends and compliance issues. Consulted on international liability issues and claims. Responsible for national defense strategies, e-discovery, discovery activities, document management & retention policies, settlement negotiations, witness development and 30(b)(6) depositions, experts and trial preparation. Lead negotiator for nationwide settlements for a number of clients. Served nationally as the designated client representative for court ordered settlement conferences, mediations and arbitrations. Extensive national travel.Research and interpret laws, rulings and regulations affecting clients. Advise on regulatory and compliance matters and support clients’ compliance efforts
-
-
-
-
Partner
-
Sep 1994 - Jun 2000
Partner in firm. Practice focus in civil litigation, products liability, premises liability, toxic torts, mass torts, commercial disputes and breach of contract. Also represented a number of Hospital and Nursing Home systems. Partner in firm. Practice focus in civil litigation, products liability, premises liability, toxic torts, mass torts, commercial disputes and breach of contract. Also represented a number of Hospital and Nursing Home systems.
-
-
-
-
Judicial Law Clerk
-
Sep 1993 - Sep 1994
Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable William H. Huber, Presiding Judge - General Equity. Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable William H. Huber, Presiding Judge - General Equity.
-
-
-
Security Indemnity
-
United States
-
Insurance
-
Assistant Comptroller
-
Jan 1990 - Aug 1990
• Assisted Chief Financial Officer of regional insurance company with quarterly reports, financial reporting and liability reserve settings. • Assisted Chief Financial Officer of regional insurance company with quarterly reports, financial reporting and liability reserve settings.
-
-
-
CS First Boston
-
Investment Banking
-
Associate Analyst
-
Jun 1989 - Jan 1990
• Associate Analyst in High Yield Fixed Income and Distressed Securities Research Department.• Interned part-time (year-round) in Jr and Sr years of college (6/87 to 6/89). • Associate Analyst in High Yield Fixed Income and Distressed Securities Research Department.• Interned part-time (year-round) in Jr and Sr years of college (6/87 to 6/89).
-
-
Education
-
1990 - 1993
Rutgers University School of Law - Camden
Doctor of Law (J.D.), Certificate in Tax Law Honors Program -
1985 - 1989
Seton Hall University
Bachelor of Science (BS), Double Majors: Finance and Economics
Community
