Michael A. Ferrara Jr. Esq.

Member

Location:

Cherry Hill, New Jersey

Phone:

856-324-6156
888-874-8317

Fax:

(856) 661-0369

E-mail:

E-mail Me

Michael A. Ferrara, Jr. has been an attorney since 1972. He is admitted to practice before the U.S. Supreme Court, the New Jersey Supreme Court, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and the Federal Courts. He is certified by both the National Board of Trial Advocacy and the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Certified Civil Trial Attorney. He is the founder and former chair of the Association of Trial Attorneys of American - New Jersey Legal PAC, the lawyer’s political action committee.

He is past president of the Association of Trial Attorneys of American - New Jersey, a Fellow of the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) a Master of the Camden Inns of Court, a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and a past president and current trustee of the Civil Justice Foundation.

Mr. Ferrara was invited to become a Fellow of the International Academy of Trial Attorneys, one of 500 selected in the world. He was awarded the "AV" [highest] rating by Martindale-Hubbell, The Gold Medal for Distinguished Achievement by Association of Trial Attorneys of American - New Jersey (ATLA-NJ), and The Trial Bar Award to outstanding trial attorneys presented by Trial Attorneys of New Jersey (TANJ). Since 1997 he has served on Senator Corzine, Lautenberg, Torricelli’s, and Medendez’ Federal Judicial Selection Advisory Committee and was recently appointed to the Burlington County Judicial and Prosecutorial Selection Committee. He is listed in the book The Best Lawyers in America. Mr. Ferrara has also been designated as a Super Lawyer in New Jersey, each year for the past four years, a peer evaluated rating only given to 5% of attorneys in NJ.

Mr. Ferrara is frequently asked to lecture for the Association of Trial Attorneys (ATLA), now known as the American Association for Justice (AAJ), the New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE), the National College of Trial Advocacy, the Practicing Law Institute (PLI), and many state trial lawyer organizations. He has published many articles dealing with medical malpractice, products liability, auto crashes and personal injury cases. He previously owned and operated a cellular telephone company in Texas, taught business law at Camden County College, and traveled throughout Russia teaching the newly democratic country how to implement a mortgage system to increase home ownership. He is a former U.S. Naval officer and a Vietnam veteran.

He graduated from Villanova University in 1964 with a B.S. in Mathematics and the University of San Diego School of Law in 1972 with a J.D. He is married and resides with Penny, his wife of 37 years, in Marlton, New Jersey. They have five children, Michael, Mary, John, Anne and Jennie.

Areas of Practice

Representing those Harmed by Defective Products
Defective Drugs
Bad Doctors
Bad Drivers in Medical Malpractice Cases
Products Liability Cases
Auto, Bus and Tractor Trailer Cases
Construction-Site Injuries
General Civil Litigation
Alternate Dispute Resolution Arbitrator

Litigation Percentage

100% of Practice Devoted to Litigation

Certified Legal Specialties

Civil Trial Attorney, Supreme Court of New Jersey
Board Certified Trial Advocate, National Board of Trial Advocates

Bar Admissions

New Jersey, 1973
Pennsylvania, 1972
U.S. District Court District of New Jersey, 1973
U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 1973
U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit, 1973
U.S. Supreme Court, 1993

Education

University of San Diego School of Law, San Diego, California
- J.D. - 1972
- Honors: Board of Visitors, University of San Diego School of Law
Villanova University, Villanova, Pennsylvania
- B.S. - 1964
- Major: Mathematics

Published Works

"Employment Torts: an Overview of Damages"
"The Use of Jury Questionnaires"
"The Role of Litigation: Paralegal in Discovery and Depositions"
"Botched Operation? Wrong Medication? When to Sue the Doctor"

Representative Cases

Spardig v. Hussein

Classes/Seminars

Moderator, Medicine for Lawyers: Point Counter Point on Traumatic Brain Injury Cases, ICLE Seminar, December 13, 2003
American Association for Justice - New Jersey Affiliate
Speaker, A Review of New Jersey's No Fault, Uninsured and Underinsured Motorist Laws, New Jersey Annual Convention, Grossingers, New York, 1983
Speaker, Effective Closing Arguments, New Jersey Plaintiff's Trial Academy, 1984
Speaker, Closing Arguments and Trial Conduct, New Jersey's Plaintiff's Trial Academy, 1985
Speaker, Updated Ethical Dilemmas, New Jersey Boardwalk Seminar, 1989
Speaker, New Case Law and Landmark Cases, New Jersey Annual Convention, 1989
Speaker, Slip, Trip & Fall and the Construction Accident Cases, Themes/Diffusing the Defense in The Opening, NJ, Masters in Advocacy Seminar, Cherry Hill, 1991
Speaker, Directing the Plaintiff, The Masters in Trial Advocacy, Edison, 1992
Speaker, Personal Injury Program Proving the Injury, Boardwalk Seminar Bally's Park Place, 1996
Speaker, Art of Cross Examination, Trial Academy, 1996
Guest Speaker, The Year in Torts, Seaview Resort, 1996
Guest Speaker, Maximizing Damages in Soft Tissue Cases, Pines Manor, Edison, 1994
Guest Speaker, The Art of Cross Examination, Trial Academy, 1994
Guest Speaker, Jury Selection and Courtroom Presentation, 1995
Guest Speaker, Personal Injury Program - Proving the Injury, Boardwalk Seminar, 1996
Guest Speaker, The Art of Cross Examination, Trial Academy, 1996
Panelist, How to Nail Down Your Liability Case, Top Ten Torts, Boardwalk Seminar, 1995
Panelist, Top Ten Torts, Boardwalk Seminar, American Association for Justice, 1993
Speaker, Punitive Damages in Bad Faith Cases, NJ Annual Convention Host Farm, Lancaster, PA,, 1981
Speaker, Pre-Trial Discovery, Tucson, AZ, 1989
Speaker, Preparing the Slip & Fall Case, Annual Convention, Toronto, 1991
Speaker, Using Psychologists and Consultants, National College of Advocacy, San Francisco, 1991
Guest Speaker, Personal Empowerment, National Convention, Boston, 1996
Speaker, The New Jersey No Fault Law, NJ Legal Secretaries Association, 1986
Speaker, Winning the Battle But Losing the War: the Cap on Damages, National Dram Shop Seminar, Atlantic City, NJ, 1986
Speaker, A Legislative Review, Garden State Bar Association, Newark, NJ, 1986
Speaker, Recent Changes in the New Jersey No Fault Law, Independent Agents Luncheon Forum, 1989
Speaker, The New Auto Insurance Law, The Gloucester County Medical Society, 1986
Speaker, Opening Statements - Wrongful Death Trial, Institute for Continuing Legal Education, Woodbridge, NJ, 1989
Speaker, New Auto Insurance Law, Independent Insurance Agents, Burlington County, 1989
Speaker, How To Try a Medical Malpractice Case, Institute for Continuing Legal Education, Cherry Hill, NJ, 1990
Speaker, Hot Tips in Tort Law I, Suing Patient's Physician for Ignoring that Patient's Trial, Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 1990
Speaker, Evaluating Personal Injury Cases - Reviewing Medical Records, Camden County Bar Association, 1990
Speaker, Insurance Litigation, Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 1990
Speaker, Maximizing Damages and Trial Techniques, Maryland Trial Lawyers Association, 1990
Speaker, Hot Tips in Tort Law II, Diffusing Time Bomb Jurors, Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 1991
Speaker, Expert Witness Testimony, The Camden County Bar Foundations' Continuing Legal Education Committee, Cherry Hill, NJ, 1992
Speaker, Oswin v. Shaw & Brown v. Fuentes, From the Plaintiff's Perspective, Presented to Personal Injury Law Committee, Camden County Bar Association, Camden NJ, 1992
Speaker, South Jersey Paralegal Association, 1996
Speaker, Recent Caselaw, Institute Continuing Legal Education, Cherry Hill, NJ, 1996
Speaker, Demonstration Of the Art Of Examination Of An Expert In A Traumatic Brain Injury Case Direct, New Jersey Head Injury Association, Inc., Woodbridge, NJ, 1996
Speaker, Lawyering in the 90's, Villanova University Law School, 1996
Speaker, Personal Empowerment, American Association for Justice, National Convention, Boston, 1996
Guest Speaker, Stress/Heart Attack and the Trial Lawyer, Camden County Bar Association, 1995
Guest Speaker, Demonstration of the Examination of an Expert in a TBI Case Direct, New Jersey Head Injury Association, 1996
Panelist, Auto Negligence, Camden County Bar Association, Legal Line Cable Television, 1995
Panelist, Prevention of Head Injury, American Association for Justice, Educational Foundation Cable Television, 1993
Panelist, Hot Tips in Tort Law, Ex-Parte Interviews, New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education, 1993
Panelist, Direct and Cross Examination of a Neurologist, Camden County Bar Association, Young Lawyers, 1993
Speaker, "Legal Negotiation & Settlement: Winning Strategies", Camden County Bar Association, 2002
Panelist, Point-Counter Point on Traumatic Brian Brain Injury Cases, New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 2003
Panelist, How to Try a Personal Injury case: from Conferencing to Closing, Camden County Bar Association, 2003

Honors and Awards

Fellow, International Academy of Trial Lawyers, 2003
2001 Trial Bar Award, Trial Attorneys of New Jersey, 1991
Martindale-Hubbell A-V Rating (Highest Rating for Law Firm Competence)
Gold Medal for Distinguished Achievement, American Association for Justice, 1992
Sons of Italy, Outstanding American Citizen Award, Cherry Hill Lodge, Cherry Hill, NJ, 1999
Trial Attorneys of NJ, Trial Bar Award, for Distinguished Service and Achievement, 2001
Hall of Fame, West Catholic High School, 2001
Combat Action Ribbon
2 Navy Unit Commendation
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnam Service Medal with Three Bronze Stars

Professional Associations and Memberships

American Association for Justice, Board of Governors, 1988 - 2000
American Association for Justice - New Jersey, President, 1985 - 1986
American Association for Justice - New Jersey, Chair and Founder Legal Pac, 1988 - 1990
New Jersey Trial Academy, Faculty
Boardwalk Products Liability Seminar, Chair, 1984
Camden County Bar Association Personal Injury Chair, Founder, 1984 - 1989
Camden County Bar Association Personal Injury Chair, Member, 1989 - Present
Camden County Bar Association Personal Injury Chair, Trustee, 1988 - 1991
Burlington County Bar Association, Chair, Civil Practice Bench-Bar Committee
Burlington County Bar Association, CLE Committee, 1998 - 1999
Camden Inns of Court, Master
Civil Justice Foundation, President, 1998
Civil Justice Foundation, Trustee
National College of Trial Advocacy, Hastings College of Law, CA, Faculty
National Board of Trial Advocacy, State Coordinator
American Board of Trial Advocates, Diplomate
New Jersey Trial Lawyers Association, Member
Federal Judicial Selection Advisory Committee, Member, 1997 - Present

Past Employment Positions

United States Navy, Lieutenant, 1964 - 1969
Naval Officers Submarine School, New London, Connecticut
Marlton Track Club, New Jersey, Founder and Commissioner
Cellular One Telephone Company, Wichita Falls, Texas, President and C.E.O.

Pro Bono Activities

Founder and Commissioner, Marlton Track Club, New Jersey
Father's Club Member, St. Joseph's Preparatory School
Member, Board of Trustees, West Philadelphia Catholic High School
Past President, Little Mill Woods Civic Association
Member, Former Board of Directors, Little Mill Woods Civic Association
Former Basketball Coach, Marlton Recreation Council
Former Adjunct Professor of Law, Camden County College
Co-Chair of Capital Campaign, Merion Mercy Academy Parents Club
Amigos de Jesus, helped Build an Orphanage in Honduras, 2000 - 2001
Sponsor, March of Dimes Foundation, 1995 - 2002
Sponsor, New Jersey State Aquarium, 1995 - 1999
Founder and Sponsor, Academic Allstars, Courier-Post, Cherry Hill, NJ, 1997 - 2001
Sponsor, Bancroft Foundation For Brain Injuries Philadelphia, PA, 1998 - 2002
Co-Counsel in the lawsuit against the tobacco industry (Represent the Governor of New Jersey)
Part of Congressional Delegation to Russia and Moldova, November, 1999
Merion Mercy Academy Parents Club (Co-Chair of Capital Campaign)
7th Grade CCD Instructor, St. Joan of Arc, Marlton, NJ
Board of Trustees, West Catholic High School
Board of Visitors, University of San Diego School of Law