![Jonathan I. Handler](https://www.daypitney.com/images/bio/handlerjonathan-web_image_12857.png)
Overview
Jonathan Handler represents corporate clients in complex commercial litigation with an emphasis on large-scale contract and product liability disputes. He has represented clients in state and federal courts in Massachusetts and elsewhere in matters involving toxic torts, wireless telecommunications, construction, accounting, litigation, insurance broker malpractice, unfair and deceptive trade practices, and mergers and acquisitions. He also assists corporate clients in a variety of industries, including specialty chemicals and aerospace, in evaluating the risks and benefits of particular actions and counsels them on ways to mitigate risk and avoid litigation.
Jonathan has been published on a variety of legal subjects, including "earn out" disputes, Chapter 93A, the work product doctrine and recent developments in product liability law. He is a former member of the firm's Executive Board and previously served as office managing partner of the firm's Boston office.
Experience
Successfully defended alternative fuels system manufacturer against breach of contract claims brought by seller of acquired business seeking "earn out" payments
Successfully represented non-profit Educational Broadband Service providers in obtaining preliminary injunction and partial summary judgment again wireless telecommunications company
Defended a construction products/specialty chemicals company in cost recovery and wrongful death lawsuits arising from a ceiling collapse in the I-90 Connector Tunnel on the Big Dig project in Boston; all claims were settled on highly favorable terms
Successfully defended a "Big Four" accounting firm against claims of professional malpractice before a three-member panel, which issued a favorable decision on plaintiffs' claims against our client after a five-day arbitration, and a Superior Court judge, who entered summary judgment in our client's favor on a related third-party claim for contribution
Represented a commercial building owner in a complex tort action seeking to recover for the failure of pre-stressed concrete pilings that led to the collapse and condemnation of a waterfront office building, where we obtained a favorable settlement for our client after extensive discovery and mediation
Successfully defended an aerospace subsidiary of a Fortune 100 company against a tortious interference claim in U.S. District Court, where the court granted our client's motion for summary judgment after extensive discovery
Defended an insurance company in a complex bad faith claim arising out of payment of life insurance proceeds, where the Massachusetts Appeals Court reversed and vacated, ruling that our client had not engaged in any unfair or deceptive practices after multiple superior court judges had ruled against our client (then represented by predecessor counsel)
Education and Credentials
Education
- University of Virginia School of Law, J.D., 1992
- Harvard College, A.B., magna cum laude, 1988
Admissions
- Commonwealth of Massachusetts
- State of Maine
- U.S. District Court, District of Maine
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
- U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
- U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut
- U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
- U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
Affiliations
- New England Legal Foundation, Board of Directors, 2022-Present; State Advisory Council, Massachusetts, 2006-2022
- Federal Bar Association, Massachusetts Chapter, President, 2018-2019, Board of Directors, 2009-2021
- Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers, Hearing Committee, 2006-2011, 2014-2019, 2023-Present
- Boston Bar Association, Federal Practice & Procedure Committee, Litigation Section, Co-Chair, 2009-2010
- American Bar Foundation, Fellow, 2016-Present
Recognition and Community
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the highest court of any state. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. See Awards Methodology.
Recognitions
Chosen for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White, Inc.), Product Liability Litigation - Defendants, 2024-2025
Selected to the list of Massachusetts Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), Business Litigation, 2004, 2006, 2010-2021, 2023-2024
Community Involvement
Alray Scholars Program, Mentor, 2017-2021
Thrive Scholars (formerly SCS Noonan Scholars), Mentor, 2018-2022
Big Brothers Big Sisters/2.0 Program, Mentor, 2017-2018
Greater Boston Legal Services, Board of Directors, 2001-2010
Boston University School of Law, Program on Legal Writing, Instructor, 1998-1999
News & Insights
Thought Leadership
- The Delaware Supreme Court Adopts a Universal Demand-Futility Test in Facebook Investors' Derivative Suit , September 27, 2021
- Anticipating Case and Claim Deadlines in the Age of COVID-19 , April 14, 2020
- Federal Preemption Under the Federal Aviation Act , July 16, 2019
- Geographic Information Systems For Environmental Litigation , September 18, 2018
- Citizenship of LLCs and Subject Matter Jurisdiction in the Federal Courts: A Serious Concern Begging for Resolution , October 10, 2016
Events
- Day Pitney Continues Support of GLAD, October 30, 2020
- Wills for Veterans, November 8, 2018
- Day Pitney Pro Bono Client International Spy Museum Holds Grand Opening at L'Enfant Plaza in DC, May 12, 2019
News
- Jonathan Handler Elected to New England Legal Foundation Board of Directors, July 11, 2022
- Day Pitney Partner Jonathan Handler Elected as President of the Massachusetts Chapter of the Federal Bar Association, November 8, 2018
- 87 Day Pitney Lawyers Named to 2016 Super Lawyers List, November 10, 2016
- 91 Day Pitney Lawyers Named to 2015 Super Lawyers List, October 30, 2015
- Eighty-Four Day Pitney Attorneys Recognized by Super Lawyers for 2014, November 3, 2014
In The Media
Publications
- A Growing Number of States Recognize Medical Monitoring Claims, BNA Inc., Product Safety & Liability Reporter, April 26, 2010
- The SJC on data privacy and 93A's injury requirement, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, May 23, 2013
- Split Mass. Top Court Says Strict Time Bar Can Apply To 93A, Law360, August 29, 2018
- The Application of 'Plausibility' to Affirmative Defenses: Has the Wave Crested?, U.S. Law Week, October 28, 2015
- Jonathan Handler and Emily Zandy Discuss Recent SJC Decision on Consumer Privacy Statute, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, May 23, 2013
- Co-author, "A Growing Number of States Recognize Medical Monitoring Claims," BNA Inc., Product Safety & Liability Reporter, April 26, 2010, Product Safety & Liability Reporter, April 26, 2010
Media Mentions
- Despite Challenges It Presents, Influx of Federal Judges Seen As Positive, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, December 15, 2023
- Auditor's report discoverable: Not covered by work product, attorney-client privilege, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, December 27, 2012
- 'We All Lost A Year': Boston Attys Return To Changed Hub, Law360, February 22, 2021
- Info From Journalists Isn't 'Work Product', Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, January 3, 2020
- New Mass. Top Court Favors Tough Queries, Long Arguments, Law360, March 20, 2019
- Massachusetts Trends And Cases To Watch In 2019, Law360, January 1, 2019
- Split Mass. Top Court Says Strict Time Bar Can Apply To 93A | Summer 2018, Law360, August 29, 2018
- Injunction Secures Internet Access for Nonprofits, Fairfield County Business Journal, December 3, 2015
- Sprint Barred From Shutting Off Low-Income Users' Internet, Law360, November 9, 2015
- Judge Issues Injunction Against Sprint Over Network Shutdown, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, November 6, 2015
Speaking Engagements
- Federal Bar Association: The Twenty-Six Words That Created The Internet, May 19, 2021
- Chair, "Contract Disputes & Litigation," MCLE, February 11, 2013, February 11, 2013