Christopher J. Gonnella is a Partner in Margolis Edelstein’s Berkeley Heights, NJ office where he represents clients involved in negligence, professional liability, and construction defect matters. Chris specializes in the defense of professional liability claims against architects, engineers, land surveyors, and other design professionals, as well as real estate agents and brokers, home inspectors, and insurance agents and brokers. Chris also specializes in the defense of complex commercial litigation, general liability, and construction litigation claims involving allegations of construction defects and liability against contractors, homeowner’s associations, and condominium associations. Chris defends employers in employment related matters and also litigates insurance coverage and subrogation claims in both state and federal court.
Chris’ expertise includes successfully defending clients against claims and lawsuits, including litigating through arbitration, trial, and appeal. Chris has also guided architects and engineers through the pre-claim process involving a wide range of complex issues associated with various construction projects.
Chris previously was a shareholder at a regional insurance defense firm focusing on the defense of professional liability claims before joining Margolis Edelstein. Chris also was a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Frank W. Gasiorowski, J.S.C. (ret.) in the Superior Court of the State of New Jersey, Somerset County after graduating from New York Law School.
Honors
•Selected for Inclusion in New Jersey Super Lawyers, Rising Stars
Articles & Publications
•Published in Defense Digest, Volume 12, No. 1, March 2006 - “Conflicting Decisions in New Jersey as to Whether a Comparative Analysis is Necessary When a Plaintiff Does Not Claim an Aggravation of Pre-Existing Injuries.”
•Published in The Marquis Messenger, Volume 4, No. 4, Fall 2010 - “Considerations for Collecting Your Fees Without Opening the Flood Gates of Litigation.”
