Photo of Craig S. Demareski

Craig S. Demareski

Partner

Overview

Craig Demareski represents clients in a wide range of professional liability, construction and complex commercial litigation matters. In particular, he regularly defends attorneys, engineers, architects and other professionals in major professional malpractice litigation. Craig also counsels and advises clients on contract, risk management and ethics issues.  With more than 20 years of experience from which to draw, Craig achieves swift, successful and cost-effective results for a diverse group of clients through advocacy, risk management and litigation. 

Craig litigates professional liability, complex commercial, construction and environmental matters in state and federal courts. He works through all aspects of litigation, including initial case assessment, discovery, fact and expert depositions, motion practice, trial preparation and trials. When matters cannot be addressed through mediation or settlement, Craig's trial experience makes him a strong advocate for his clients in the courtroom. Craig’s experience includes serving as trial counsel in professional malpractice and business litigation matters, as well as the management of trial teams in large, complex professional liability, construction and commercial litigation matters.

Experience

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

  • Representation of a major international law firm in state court litigation in defense of substantial claims of professional liability and breach of fiduciary duty arising from professional services rendered in a commercial arbitration; secured summary judgment in favor of the client, dismissing the claims of professional liability, and won a unanimous jury verdict at trial for the client in the amount of $2 million
  • Representation of national law firm and individual attorneys in state court litigation arising from claims of professional malpractice in underlying personal injury and products liability matter
  • Representation of international engineering firm in state court litigation in defense of claims of professional negligence and breach of contract in major environmental contamination litigation
  • Representation of regional law firm in defense of substantial claims of professional liability and breach of fiduciary duty arising from professional services rendered in connection with commercial and financial investment transactions
  • Representation of major international engineering firm regarding claims of negligent design and project delays on significant bridge projects in the United States and Europe
  • Representation of national law firm in defense of claims of malpractice in disputes among members of closely held limited liability company
  • Representation of an architectural firm in defense of claims of professional malpractice in connection with property survey and preparation of site plan drawings
  • Representation of Professional engineer in state court litigation of claims of negligent design of fire suppression system in multi-building, multi-unit condominium project
  • Representation of architectural, engineering and surveying firms relevant to pre-litigation and litigation claims of professional malpractice by private project developers and contractors regarding all aspects of professional services, including project evaluations, design, governmental approvals, construction and contract administration, delay claims and construction defect claims
  • Representation of an international engineering firm in litigation regarding claims of professional negligence in the design and construction of a wetlands mitigation bank project
  • Representation of one of the largest public utilities in New Jersey in connection with environmental litigation and regulatory enforcement actions on claims of contamination in the Passaic River and Newark Bay
  • Representation of a New York engineering firm in litigation regarding claims of negligent design of the mechanical, electrical and plumbing systems in a luxury condominium project in New Jersey
  • Representation of an international engineering and construction firm in litigation regarding allegations of negligent design and construction of a coker unit at an oil refinery in Texas
  • Representation of an international engineering firm in litigation regarding allegations of negligent design services in connection with a bridge widening project in Trenton, New Jersey
  • Representation of a national architectural and planning firm in a dispute with a New Jersey college regarding allegations of negligent design services resulting in cost overruns
  • Representation of the president of the board of a condominium association in state court litigation involving claims of misconduct by the board; secured a no cause verdict for the client following a two-week trial
  • Representation of a law firm and individual attorneys in state court litigation involving claims of professional liability arising from estate planning services and defense of a court challenge to the estate
  • Representation of the regional president of a major national bank during a nine-week criminal trial in federal court involving allegations of bribery and honest services fraud in connection with seeking and obtaining banking business with the City of Philadelphia
  • Representation of a New Jersey state highway agency in a $30 million environmental cost recovery action
  • Representation of a corporation in connection with the investigation and prosecution of a major chemical facility involving criminal and civil allegations of illegal storage and disposal of hazardous waste and violations of the Water Pollution Control Act and Air Pollution Control Act

Activities

Professional and Community Affiliations

  • New Jersey State Bar Association
  • American Bar Association
  • Defense Research Institute (DRI)
  • Graduate, International Association of Defense Counsel Trial Academy (2011)

News & Insights

Education

Seton Hall University School of Law (J.D., 1997)

Lafayette College (B.S., Mechanical Engineering, 1993)

Admissions

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