Insurance Law
John T. Wolak
Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2014 Awarded Practice Areas
Biography
For almost 25 years, he has litigated matters involving hundreds of millions of dollars in insurance coverage for a broad range of clients and regularly provides strategic counseling and analysis of potential risks and exposures, policy terms and conditions, and claims resolution. He also represents clients on a broad range of complex commercial disputes, including contract claims, intellectual property matters, real property disputes, and restrictive covenant cases.
A wide variety of clients – including pharmaceutical and chemical manufacturing companies, financial and educational institutions, telecommunications companies, professional service providers, and insurance companies – rely on Mr. Wolak’s advice and representation to achieve their objectives and resolve both insurance coverage matters and commercial disputes. He has also been retained as an expert witness/consultant on insurance issues and is a frequent speaker on insurance law topics. Prior to joining Gibbons, Mr. Wolak served as a law clerk to the Honorable Nicholas H. Politan of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
Overview
- Fordham University, J.D., graduated 1989
- New York, State of New York
- New Jersey, State of New Jersey
- American Bar Association - Member
- Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey - Member
- Essex County Bar Association - Member
- New Jersey State Bar Association - Member
- New York, State of New York
- New Jersey, State of New Jersey
- American Bar Association - Member
- Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey - Member
- Essex County Bar Association - Member
- New Jersey State Bar Association - Member
- Fordham University, J.D., graduated 1989
Client Testimonials
Awards & Focus
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
- Insurance Law, Newark (2014)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2026 for work in:
- Insurance Law
Additional Areas of Practice:
- Commercial Litigation
- Legal Malpractice Law - Defendants
- Privacy and Data Security Law
Awards:
- Selected to the New Jersey Super Lawyers list, Insurance Coverage
- AV® Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
News & Media
Additional Information
- Experience
As specially retained appellate counsel, obtained reversal of a multimillion-dollar summary judgment award against his clients – the policyholder and its liability insurer – because the adversary lacked standing to prosecute its claims for indemnification, both directly and under the applicable policy
- Served as lead counsel for the firm in a confidential, three-week international arbitration in London under the English Arbitration Act commenced by a policyholder seeking $90 million of insurance coverage for personal injury claims arising out of the use of prescription medication
- Obtained dismissal with prejudice of all claims by all parties against an insurer client, after extensive motion practice before the trial court and several appellate arguments, seeking to impose liability (directly and as co-insurers) in excess of $5 million for damages arising out of a construction site accident
- Obtained multimillion-dollar insurance recovery for a claim based on construction defects and property damage to the substructure of residential units and a parking garage, as insurance coverage counsel for condominium development owners
- Represented a large regional law firm in a dispute over the availability of insurance coverage and the extent of damages in connection with a business interruption claim based on direct property damage at law firm’s headquarters
- Other Court Admissions
- United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
- United States District Court for the Southern District of New York
- United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit
- Supreme Court of the United States
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