Jack defends catastrophic, high-profile, high-exposure cases against some of the country’s most formidable plaintiff firms. With a focus on construction, asbestos and toxic torts, transportation, fire casualty and product liability, he has taken to conclusion more than 60 jury trials, as well as hundreds of bench trials, arbitrations and mediations. Additionally, Jack represents clients in litigation involving fire and explosion claims, sexual assaults, negligent security, and hospitality and dram shop claims. He also handles specialty, high risk claims in the areas of amusements, entertainment, recreational, sports and specialty events. Additionally, Jack has represented venues, contractors and building managers to name a few, in wrongful death suits and personal injury litigation involving elevators, electronic door issues and escalators. This litigation dealt with leveling, door closing, malfunctions and prolonged elevators stuck between floors.
He represents many Fortune 500 companies directly and as insureds, and handles complex litigation matters at the federal and state levels and in administrative agencies and alternate dispute resolution forums. Jack also serves as national coordinating counsel for several product manufacturers.
Prior to joining the firm, Jack was the founding partner of the Delany Law firm and co-founded Delany & O’Brien, which operated for 24 years in Philadelphia. During his career, he also ran the Philadelphia office of a large New Jersey/New York firm and worked as assistant counsel for the Philadelphia Housing Authority.
Jack is a Certified Civil Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy and is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney. He is a member of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC), where he serves as Trial Masters Co-Chair, Technology Committee Co-Chair and Toxic Torts Co-Chair. He also enjoys serving pro bono as an adjunct professor in the Temple Law School Trial Advocacy Program, LLM and as a Judge Pro Tempore for the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas and is an author, editor and presenter on trial advocacy.
Honors & Awards
•The Best Lawyers in America, Personal Injury Litigation - Defendants (2026)
•Pennsylvania Super Lawyers (2004-2014, 2019-2026)
•Philadelphia Business Journal, Best of the Bar Award (2023)
Media Commentary
•'New Juror Attitudes Call For New Defense Strategies, Experts Say,' The Legal Intelligencer, April 10, 2023
Classes/Seminars Taught
•Combatting Nuclear Verdicts in Plaintiff-Friendly Jurisdictions, A.M. Best Insurance Law Podcast, October 30, 2025
•When Every Second Counts: Managing Catastrophic Claims, A.M. Best Insurance Law Podcast, November 29, 2023
•Strategies to Deal with Plaintiffs’ Life Care Plans and How They Contribute to Nuclear Verdicts, Marshall Dennehey Client, August 29, 2023.
Published Works
•'Are the Eyes A Window to One's Soul? American Mother - A Story of Grace, Humanity and Radical Empathy in the Law,' Federation Flyer, publication of the Federation of Defense and Corporate Counsel (FDCC). Summer 2025
Results
Summary Judgment Secured in “Exploding” Wine Bottle Case
We successfully secured summary judgment in a product liability case involving an “exploding” wine bottle. Our client was the distributor of the bottle and was brought into the case as a third-party defendant. The plaintiff testified that on Thanksgiving Day, she attempted to open the bottle with the handle of a wooden spoon when the bottle unexpectedly and suddenly exploded in her hands. The plaintiff brought a product liability claim, asserting defects with the design of the bottle in using unusually thin glass prone to breakage. As the plaintiff did not produce any liability expert reports, we were able to argue that expert testimony was necessary for the plaintiff to prove her case, as the subject matter was one involving special skills and training not common to the ordinary layperson.
Summary Judgment Obtained in Significant Workplace Injury Case
We secured a motion for summary judgment in a significant workplace injury case involving a Laidlow claim. The court ruled that the plaintiff had failed to establish that his employer had committed an intentional and malicious act sufficient to circumvent the workers’ compensation exclusivity provision.
Thought Leadership
Podcast/Webinar
Combatting Nuclear Verdicts in Plaintiff-Friendly Jurisdictions
October 30, 2025
In this podcast episode, John Delany, Gary Samms and John Hare discuss the best approaches for attorneys to prevent nuclear verdicts in the courtroom. https://legaltalknetwork.com/podcasts/insurance-law-podcast-am-best/2025/10/combatting-nuclear-verdicts-in-plaintiff-friendly-jurisdictions/
Are the Eyes a Window on One's Soul? American Mother - A Story of Grace, Humanity and Radical Empathy in the Law
June 23, 2025
We all have heard that saying before and, while there is some truth in the eyes being a window, it certainly is not even close to being an absolute and at times can be very deceiving.
News
Marshall Dennehey Announces 2026 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Honorees
May 22, 2026
Marshall Dennehey Trial Lawyers and Appellate Chair Talk Nuclear Verdicts in A.M. Best’s Insurance Law Podcast
November 7, 2025
