NEWARK
johara@tktrial.com
(973) 358-2662
Download PDF
vCard

Jeffrey L. O’Hara

Partner

Jeffrey L. O’Hara is a veteran first-chair trial lawyer whose focus is providing strategic and effective defenses for clients in large-exposure, catastrophic casualty events. He also has vast experience in complex commercial litigation, often with matters of significant consequence to business operations and/or reputation.

A Fellow of the American College of Trial Attorneys since 2010, Mr. O’Hara has served as lead counsel in more than 70 jury trials, achieving favorable verdicts in the majority of those matters. He has been a New Jersey Supreme Court Certified Civil Trial Attorney since 1999 and has attained the elevated rank of Advocate with the American Board of Trial Advocates.

Notwithstanding his trial acumen, Mr. O’Hara prioritizes collaboration with all key stakeholders to identify pathways to cost-effective and beneficial legal outcomes, seeking to provide alternatives to protracted litigation. He works to reduce risk, liability and damage to reputation, the key to any business’s success.

Mr. O’Hara also holds accreditation from the Department of Veterans Affairs for the preparation, presentation and prosecution of claims for veterans’ benefits. He is co-founder of and currently serves as president for One Vet @ A Time, Inc. d/b/a Project OVAT, a nonprofit charitable entity that provides medical and legal support at no cost to select veterans pursuing VA claims.
In addition, Mr. O’Hara is an advisor to the Board of Directors for The Patriot Fund, having previously served on the Legal Committee for USA Triathlon and as vice chair of the board of directors for the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games.

In addition, Mr. O’Hara is an advisor to the Board of Directors for The Patriot Fund, having previously served on the Legal Committee for USA Triathlon and as vice chair of the board of directors for the 2014 Special Olympics USA Games.

Bar Admissions
• New Jersey
• Colorado

Court Admissions
• U.S. Supreme Court
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
• U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
• U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey

  • In Chamseddine v. Live Nation, resolved case as to all defendants for $18 million during closure of plaintiff’s case in chief Court of Common Pleas of Pennsylvania (Philadelphia County) after seven days of trial. The opening global demand was $20 million.
  • In Treme v. Walmart Transportation, led 20 days of trial with a verdict of $1.775 million (net recovery of $0 based on co-defendant settlement credit) in the Superior Court of Massachusetts (Hampshire County). All post-trial motions denied, with an appeal pending. The opening demand was for $20 million, final offer (confidential).
  • In Smerina v. Texas Road Plaza, LLC, case resolved in the Superior Court of New Jersey (Middlesex County) at close of plaintiff’s proofs for $500,000 after six days of trial. The opening demand was $1.5 million.
  • In Perez v. Live Nation, helped earn a verdict of $102 million in a 16-day, damages-only trial in the Supreme Court of New York (New York County). Trial judge reduced the award to $53 million, which was further reduced to $34 million by First Department. However, result was still higher than final offer prior to trial.
  • In Linwood v. Schindler Elevator Corporation, achieved a directed verdict in favor of the defense after three days of trial in the Southern District of New York. The opening demand was $4.5 million.
  • In Vracevic v. Fabcon East, led 16 days of trial in the Superior Court of Connecticut (Hartford) in a matter with an opening demand of $9 million. With a hung jury, a confidential resolution was reached prior to retrial.
  • In Rattner v. Chubb National Insurance Company, a policy was declared void per fraud/concealment and intentional acts provisions with a verdict of $945,000 on a counterclaim in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. The opening demand was $11.5 million.
  • In Ahsan v. Staples, no cause for action was found after six days of trial in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York. Opening demand was $2 million.
  • In Malik v. Cooper Tire & Rubber Company, the case was successfully resolved during plaintiff’s proofs after three days of trial in the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Terms of resolution were confidential, but the opening demand was for $25 million.
  • In Kinghorn v. Apex Tool Group, 13 days of trial in the Superior Court of Massachusetts (Middlesex County) resulted in a verdict for $16 million, although terms of the post-verdict resolution were confidential. Opening demand was for $32 million.
  • In Brown-Obot v. Helal, no cause for action was found after six days of trial in the Superior Court of New Jersey (Essex County). Opening demand was for $1 million.
  • In Sosa v. Clayton Concrete, eight days of trial in the Superior Court of New Jersey (Essex County) resulted in a damages-only verdict of $675, 000 in a matter that involved an opening demand of $6 million.
  • In Connors v. Target Corporation, six days of trial resulted in a verdict of $375,000 for the plaintiff in Superior Court of New Jersey (Essex County). The opening demand was for $5 million, and defendant secured full indemnity and reimbursement of all defense costs from co-defendant post-verdict.
  • In Miller v. Duane Reade, plaintiff made an opening demand of $100 million, but after 35 days of trial in the Supreme Court of New York (Kings County), case was resolved at close of plaintiff’s proofs for $22 million.
  • In Walczak v. Target Corporation, no cause for action was found and reimbursement of all defense costs was secured from co-defendant post-verdict after six days of trial in the Superior Court of New Jersey (Middlesex County). Opening demand was $1.2 million.
  • In Smith v. Ratan R. Park, no cause for action was found after 12 days of trial in the Superior Court of New Jersey (Bergen County). Opening demand was $15 million.
  • In Melville v. US Bancorp, five days of trial in the Supreme Court of New York (Kings County) resulted in a favorable confidential post-liability verdict resolution. Opening demand was $2.5 million.
  • In Olan v. Target Corporation, no cause for action was found after four days of trial in the Eastern District of New York (Brooklyn). The opening demand was $1.2 million.
  • In Marrero v. Target Corporation, 13 days of trial in the Supreme Court of New York (Bronx County) resulted in a verdict of $1.3 million, although terms of post-verdict resolution were confidential. Opening demand was for $5.6 million.
  • In Edison Salvage v. Garden State Paper Company, a two-phase trial lasting a total of eight days ended with a final verdict in the Superior Court of New Jersey (Bergen County) of $295,000. Plaintiff made an opening demand of $3.25 million.
  • In White v. Morcos, 14 days of trial resulted in a directed verdict for the defendant and a $925,000 verdict as to the other defendant in the Superior Court of New Jersey (Passaic County). The opening demand was $2 million.
  • In Alfone v. Caputo, four days of trial in the Superior Court of New Jersey (Essex County) resulted in no cause for actions found. The opening demand was $1 million.
  • Supreme Court of New Jersey Certified Trial Attorney, 1999-present
  • American College of Trial Lawyers, Fellow, 2010-present
    • Special Problems in the Administration of Justice (U.S.), Chair, 2023-present
    • New Jersey State Committee, 2021-present
  • American Board of Trial Advocates, Advocate, 2003-present
    • Senior Life Fellow, 2021
  • Litigation Counsel of America, Fellow, 2019-present
    • Peter Perlman Service Award, 2019
    • Barrister, Order of Juris
  • Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel, 2011-present
  • International Association of Defense Counsel, 2014-present
  • USLAW Network
    • Board of Directors, 2008-2013; 2021-2023
  • Defense Research Institute (DRI)
    • Trial Tactics Steering Committee, 2003-2012
  • Litigation: Product Liability Ranked Attorney, Chambers USA, 2024-present
  • Best Lawyers in America, Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
  • New Jersey Super Lawyers, Thomson Reuters
  • O’Hagan Award for Outstanding Service, USLAW Network, 2007
  • Bullseye Barrister Award, Target Corporation, December 2007; July 2009; May 2010; July 2013
  • “The Regional Trial Bootcamp – Panel Discussion on Opening Statements & Critique of Closing Arguments,” NJICLE & American College of Trial Lawyers, November 2024
  • “Private Client Learning Club – Excess/Umbrella Exposure,” Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Virtual Conference, October 2024
  • “Better Decisions on Retail – Importance of Witness Preparation,” Aon 20th Annual Retail Symposium, September 2024
  • “7 Core Considerations for Successful Trial,” Sompo International, August 2024
  • “Canadian Guide to U.S. Exposure: How to Lose a Trial In 7 Days,” Axis Capital, May 2024
  • “Social Inflation – The Experts,” Chubb Group CAPI virtual presentation, March 2024
  • “Trial Tactics Impacting Severity – You Be the Jury,” Chubb Classic, February 2024
  • “Strategies to Obtain Optimal Results for Litigated Matters,” W.R. Berkley Insurance Companies, October 2023
  • “Nuclear Verdicts: Managing Volatility in the Current Litigation Environment,” Chubb Classic, February 2023
  • “Litigation Funding: The Good, The Bad & The Ugly,” Chubb Group Virtual Presentation, January 2023
  • “Claim Handling & Defense Counsel Considerations for Managing Casualty Claims in the Current Litigation Environment,” Chubb Group, November 2022
  • “Demonstrative Exhibit & Video Deposition Use on Direct/Cross Examination,” NJICLE & American College of Trial Lawyers; New Jersey Webinar, July 2022
  • “Project One Vet @ A Time – Finding the Way to Yes,” Citadel Inn of Court Annual Banquet, April 2022
  • “Project One Vet @ A Time – Finding the Way to Yes,” American College of Trial Lawyers – 3rd Circuit Regional Meeting, April.2022
  • “Litigating Traumatic Brain Injury Claims,” Chubb Group, January 2022
  • “Physical Wellness: Are You Listening to Your Body? Quick and Easy Adjustments That Can Propel You Forward and Deliver Important Health Benefits,” USLAW Virtual, October 2021
  • “Physical Wellness: Are You Listening to Your Body? Quick and Easy Adjustments That Can Propel You Forward and Deliver Important Health Benefits,” USLAW Conference, September 2021
  • “Negotiation Considerations and Strategies Finding a Way to Yes,” Chubb Group, August 2021
  • “Negotiation Considerations and Strategies Finding a Way to Yes,” Chubb Group, November 2020
  • “Jury Selection & Trial Themes – The Good, The Bad & The Ugly,” NJICLE & American College of Trial Lawyers New Jersey Webinar, July 2020
  • “Litigating Traumatic Brain Injury Claims,” Chubb Group, February 2020
  • “Defending Against Nuclear Verdicts,” ECBA, October 2019
  • “Driving Favorable Resolution Through Effective Negotiation,” Chubb Group, February.2019
  • “Protecting the Value of Your Business,” American Bus Association – CEO’s Forum, January 2019
  • “Early Resolution Strategies – The Settlement Counsel Model,” Chubb Group, September 2018
  • “Early Resolution Strategies – The Settlement Counsel Model,” Chubb Group, April 2018
  • “Early Resolution Strategies – The Settlement Counsel Model,” Chubb Group, November 2017
  • “Catastrophic Event, Devastating Exposure: A Unique Approach to Fixing the Worst Problems,” IADC, July.2017
  • “The Ripple Effect – Employee & Public Safety,” Schindler Elevator Corporation Senior Leadership Meeting, February 2017
  • “The Nuts and Bolts of TBI Claims,” Walmart TBI Center for Excellence Project, April 2016
  • “Is your TBI Really TBS?” ACE Group, June 2015
  • “The Anatomy of a Large Exposure Claim,” Great American Insurance Group, May 2015
  • J.D., Widener University School of Law (1992)
    • cum laude
  • B.A., University of California-Davis (1988)
    • Political Science with Education Minor
  • A.A., Mercer County College (1986)
    • Humanities