Jeffrey W. Moryan

Jeffrey Moryan, Co-chair of Connell Foley LLP’s Trial Practice Group, has more than 30 years of experience trying significant cases in both state and federal courts. Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney, Jeff has tried more than 120 aviation, product liability, toxic tort, and professional liability cases to conclusion. His trial and litigation experience includes not only complex professional liability and product liability matters, but also wrongful death, brain injury, medical monitoring and other catastrophic personal injury cases.

Jeff maintains an extensive practice representing airlines and airplane manufacturers in cases involving product liability, passenger rights, personal injury, property damage, hull loss, breach of contract and discrimination. He is the lead trial counsel for a major defendant airline in the multibillion dollar property and wrongful death consolidated lawsuits arising from the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks. As such, he serves on the case’s Joint Defense Committee, Aviation Defendants Subcommittee and Defendant Property Damages Subcommittee.

Jeff’s professional liability experience includes successfully defending, at trial and otherwise, physicians, surgeons and other medical providers, attorneys, engineers and accountants. His litigation experience includes serving as lead trial counsel to businesses in catastrophic loss and mass tort litigation and related matters.

A leader in regard to trial skills, trial tactics and jury selection, Jeff lectures extensively for bar associations and other client-based organizations, as well as to medical practitioners on preventive measures to avoid litigation.

During law school, Jeff completed a judicial internship with the Honorable Frederick B. Lacey of United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. He has taught at his alma mater, Seton Hall University Law School, and was a member of the ABA Task Force on Franchise Law.

Representative Experience
Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

• Snider v. Sterling Airways, et. al. Successfully defended over a 4+ week trial, defending an owner-operator and maintainer of a Part 135 aircraft which crashed with no survivors
• In Re September 11 Litigation. Counsel for air carrier in consolidated wrongful death, property damage, business interruption loss, and subrogated claims arising out of the September 11, 2001, terrorist hijackings
• Rosenberg et al. v. East Coast Jets. Counsel for Part 135 Operator in consolidated wrongful death action, following crash during landing of Hawker 800A aircraft
• Fletcher v. Cessna. Counsel for defendant in wrongful death case following crash shortly after takeoff
• White v. US Airways Group. Counsel for airline in successful motion to dismiss argument premised on federal preemption grounds. Plaintiff alleged onset of DVT as damages
• Deverin et al. v. Shell Oil Company. Trial counsel for major oil company in gasoline storage tank explosion matter resulting in over 200 personal injury and property damage claims as well as OSHA and NJ Fire Code Administrative investigations
• Player et al. v. Motiva Enterprises. Defense trial counsel in mass tort case alleging personal and emotional injuries and property damage following alleged exposure to gasoline from underground storage leak
• Inamdar v. Shell Oil Company. Trial counsel for major oil company in successful defense against claims of sex and ethnic origin discrimination by franchisor
• Joseph v. Abano-Mendoza. Trial counsel in defense verdict in medical malpractice action alleging brain damage to newborn during pregnancy and delivery
• D’Elia v. City of Jersey City, et al. Defense trial counsel in combined medical malpractice/dram shop wrongful death action. Jury defense verdict following five week trial
• Graham v. Gielchinsky, trail counsel for heart surgeon in wrongful death action. Defense verdict, Precedential Supreme Court decision on use of experts at trial
• Glaxo, Inc. v. USCO Distribution Services, et al.  Defense trial counsel in warehouse fire case. Drug company damages exceeded $3,000,000
• Silver Troy v. Metric Plumbing. Defense trial counsel in building explosion case. Defense verdict
• Valentini v. Ford Motor Company. Lead plaintiff trial counsel in product liability action. Secured $20,500,000 verdict

Decisions
Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

• Fletcher v. Cessna Aircraft Co., 412 N.J. Super. 530 (App. Div. 2010)
• Graham v. Gielchinsky, 126 N.J. 361, 599 A. 2d 149 (1991)
• D’ Aries v. Schell, 274 N.J. Super. 349 (App. Div. 1994)
• Bendar v. Rosen, et al, 247 N.J. Super. 219 (App. Div. 1991)
• White v. Newark Morning Star Ledger, 245 N.J. Super. 606 (Law Div. 1990)
• Fede v. Clara Maass Hosp., 221 N.J. Super. 329 (Law Div. 1987)
• Wylie v. Mills, 195 N.J. Super. 332 (Law Div. 1984)
• Jaasma v. Shell Oil Co., 412 F. 3d 501 (3rd Cir. 2005)
• Player v. Motiva Enterprises LLC, 2006 WL 5349207 (D.N.J. 2006)
• Wiegand v. Motiva Enterprises, LLC, 295 F. Supp. 2d 465 (D.N.J. 2003)
• Federal Ins. Co., etc v. Purex Indutries, Inc., 972 F. Supp. 872 (D.N.J. 1997)

Professional and Community Affiliations 

• Member, Trial Attorneys of New Jersey
• Master, American Inns of Court Foundation, Essex Inn of Court
• Advocate, American Board of Trial Advocates  
• Member, International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC)
• Adjunct Professor, Seton Hall Law School (1983-1984)
• American Bar Association
• New Jersey State Bar Association
• Defense Research Institute
• American Inns of Court Foundation, Essex Inn of Court
• American Board of Trial Advocates
• International Association of Defense Counsel

Best Lawyers in America (2020-2025)

• Commercial Litigation

"New Jersey's Top Rated Lawyers" (2012), a list compiled by Martindale-Hubbell.

New Jersey Super Lawyers (2005-2006, 2008-2014, 2016-2019)

_{Please see Honor and Award Methodology. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.}