Joseph J. Welter

Joseph J. Welter

Partner

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Joseph Welter is a partner in the firm's Buffalo office whose trial practice includes the representation of national and international carriers and self-insured companies in complex civil and multi-district litigation, including cases involving product liability, pharmaceuticals and toxic torts. Joe has successfully defended prominent product manufacturers in catastrophic injury, severe burn and death cases. He has litigated over 500 asbestos cases and serves as lead trial counsel for several high-profile companies in New York and Pennsylvania. In connection with multi-district litigation, Joe has worked with clients to develop effective strategic litigation plans and settlement matrixes for mass tort claims in this unique litigation setting.

Joe possesses an AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell, the highest available rating, and has been selected for inclusion in Business First's Who's Who in Law, New York Super Lawyers and Super Lawyers, Corporate Counsel Edition.

Outside of his legal practice, he serves as Chair of the Board for the National Kidney Foundation Serving WNY, a voluntary health organization that seeks to prevent kidney and other organ diseases.

Honors
  • Selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers, Corporate Counsel Edition
  • Selected for inclusion in New York Super Lawyers
  • Named to the Business First's Who's Who in Law 
Professional Affiliations
  • Defense Research Institute: Insurance Law Committee; Product Liability Committee; Toxic Torts and Environmental Law Committee, Asbestos and Silica Subcommittee
  • National Association of Railroad Trial Counsel 
  • New York State Bar Association
  • Bar Association of Erie County
  • Buffalo Claims Association
Admitted to Practice
  • New York
  • Pennsylvania
  • U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York
  • U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Western District of New York
  • U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
Civic Activities
  • Chair of the Board of Directors, National Kidney Foundation of WNY, 2006 to present
Education
  • City University of New York, B.A., summa cum laude, 1986 
  • Hofstra University School of Law, J.D., cum laude, 1989
Publications/Presentations
  • Author, “Multidistrict Litigation: What Is It, and What Can You Do About It?” For the Defense, Defense Research Institute, December 2010
  • Author, “Should Local Installers That Provide Asbestos-Containing Materials Be Subject to Products Liability Claims?,” Toxic Torts and Environmental Law Newsletter, Defense Research Institute, April 2009
  • Co-Author, “Through Regulations and in Court: The 2008 CPSIA Starts to Take Shape,” For The Defense, Defense Research Institute, April 2009
  • Co-Author, “CPSC Power Expands: Legislation Brings Change to Consumer Products Industry,” USLAW Magazine, Spring/Summer 2009
  • Author, “Retailer’s Particular Purpose Warranty: A Fine Line Between Customer Service and Liability Exposure,” In-House Defense Quarterly, Defense Research Institute, Winter 2009
  • Co-Author, “Negotiating the Landscape of Increased Penalties Under CPSIA,” For the Defense, Defense Research Institute, February 2009

 

  • Co-Author, “The New CPSC Public Database of Incidents,” For the Defense, Defense Research Institute, December 2008
  • Co-Author, “The Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act of 2008: Preparing for the Unknown and the Unknowable,” For the Defense, Defense Research Institute, October 2008
  • Presenter, “Automobile Issues and Trends,” New York State Bar Association, Law School for Claims Professionals, Syracuse, New York, September 2008
  • Presenter, “State of the Art in Toxic Tort Cases: Convincing the Jury the World is Flat,” September 2008
  • Presenter, “Belt and Suspenders: Don’t Get Caught With Your Insurance Coverage Pants Down,” Buffalo Claims Association, 2006
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