James S. Coons

James S. Coons

Mr. Coons is a civil litigator, with an emphasis on commercial disputes, products liability defense, catastrophic personal injury claims, mass toxic torts, consumer fraud and warranty class actions, employment disputes, and insurance coverage actions. The majority of his cases are venued in the state and federal courts of New York and New Jersey. Mr. Coons has handled matters from inception though trial and appeal.

Over the course of his career, Mr. Coons has represented domestic and foreign product manufacturers, insurers, franchisors, computer software companies, telecommunications companies, energy companies, building contractors, and individuals. His legal experience includes internal investigations for energy companies and, in a pro bono capacity, investigations of a state police organization on behalf of an investigatory committee appointed by the Governor of New Jersey.

EDUCATION:

  • Boston University School of Law, J.D., 2000
  • Stone Moot Court Team Competition, Mock Trial Team; Rutgers University, B.A., 1997
  • Magna Cum Laude

Mr. Coons's experience includes:

  • Representation of a petroleum service products company in various asbestos suits.
  • Representation of a leading life insurance company in coverage actions, whistleblower and discrimination employment suits, wrongful termination and ERISA claims.
  • Representation of national franchisors in franchise disputes and commercial tenancy disputes.
  • Representation of a motorcycle manufacturer in serious injury and wrongful death claims, from pleadings to dispositive motions and trial.
  • Representation of a valve manufacturer in defending personal injury and property damage claims.
  • Representation of a telecommunications company in its appeal of a U.S. District Court’s summary judgment, resulting in a reversal and reinstatement by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.
  • Representation of health insurers in coverage disputes brought by third party claimants.
  • Representation of a major food company and supermarket chain in defense of a personal injury claim through trial.
  • Representation of a major bank in a consumer fraud action, resulting in a full dismissal.
  • Representation of a chemical manufacturing company in a breach of contract and warranty claim.
  • Representation of a building services conglomerate in defense of various construction defect suits.
  • Representation of a software developer in breach of contract claim.
  • Representation of an electronics manufacturer in various consumer fraud and warranty class actions.
  • Representation of a foreign shear manufacturer in a motion to dismiss a personal injury suit for lack of personal jurisdiction, through appeal to the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Mr. Coons is admitted to practice before the state and federal courts of New Jersey and New York, including the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

Prior to joining Ansa Assuncao in February, 2008, Mr. Coons was an associate in the New Jersey office of DLA Piper, and was previously an associate in the New Jersey office of Dewey and LeBoeuf (formerly LeBoeuf Lamb Greene and McRae).

Reported Decisions:

  • Nicastro v. McIntyre Machinery of America, 399 N.J. Super. 539 (App. Div. 2008)
  • The Business Edge, Inc. v. Champion Mortgage, 519 F.3d 150 (3d. Cir. 2008)

Professional Memberships and Associations:

  • New Jersey State Bar Association
  • Insurance and Products Liability Sections
  • The American Bar Association
  • The Bar Association of the City of New York