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J. J.Pelligra

Counsel

"After growing up watching my father build his own practice, I try to honor his memory each day by making a difference through serving others."

Overview

Biography

J. J. is an experienced litigator who represents clients across a broad spectrum of industries and matters in state and federal courts as well as in alternative dispute resolution forums. He concentrates his practice primarily on complex commercial litigation and white-collar criminal defense but has significant experience with intellectual property litigation and financial regulatory enforcement. J. J. litigates both civil and criminal matters, representing individuals, private and public companies, municipalities, and government officials. His experience includes prosecuting and defending claims at the trial and appellate levels, giving him a comprehensive understanding of the entire litigation landscape.

Before entering private practice, J. J. served as a law clerk in civil and criminal courts, providing him with a unique, behind-the-bench perspective on judicial decision-making that informs his litigation strategy and advocacy. J. J. also worked closely with prosecutors and self-regulatory organizations during his time at the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). His insight into how prosecutors, regulatory organizations, and judges evaluate cases adds significant value at all stages of litigation. J. J.’s clients appreciate his reliability, versatility, strategic insight, and ability to navigate the most challenging legal issues with precision and clarity.

Bar Associations

  • Illinois State Bar Association
  • New York City Bar Association
  • New York State Bar Association
  • Northern District of New York Federal Court Bar Association
  • Union County Bar Association
Experience

Representative Experience

  • Successfully defended a multinational electricity and gas utility company against multiple commercial contract lawsuits in state and federal court.
  • Successfully prosecuted a fraud and commercial contract lawsuit on behalf of a national freight transportation and warehousing corporation in state court.
  • Successfully prosecuted various breach of contract claims and property rights enforcement claims on behalf of a multinational wireless telecommunications infrastructure company.
  • Successfully defended a leading medical-products company against patent-infringement claims brought in federal court.
  • Successfully defended a regional food company against copyright-infringement claims brought in federal court.
  • Successfully defended a regional auto dealership and servicing company against multiple commercial contract disputes in state court, and recouped its attorney’s fees for having to defend against frivolous claims.
  • Successfully defended a national manufacturer of stainless-steel tanks and pressure vessels, along with its majority owners, against a freeze-out merger allegation brought by a minority member in state court.
  • Successfully defended a multimillion-dollar trust and fiduciary in contested accounting and decanting proceedings.
  • Successfully defended individuals against various breach of contract, breach of fiduciary duty, fraud, and other commercial and business claims brought in state and federal court.
  • Successfully defended the officers of a corporation in a derivative lawsuit brought by its shareholders.
  • Successfully defended a national retail company against copyright-infringement claims brought in federal court.
  • Successfully defended an international financial advisory services company against consumer complaints through FINRA arbitration.
  • Successfully moved to intervene as the plaintiff in a patent-infringement action pending in the Southern District of New York on behalf of the legal owner of the patent-in-suit.
  • Successfully defended a municipal government in an Article 78 proceeding concerning its decision to deny multiple area variance applications.
  • Successfully moved to compel allegedly privileged communications between foreign counsel and an American multinational medical-device manufacturer under international law on behalf of an American multinational health care company involved in a patent-infringement lawsuit in the US District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.
  • Successfully enforced an archery-equipment designer’s intellectual property rights against infringers through litigation as well as alternative dispute resolution. 
  • Successfully negotiated a favorable settlement without litigation on behalf of an international drug consignment development and production company relating to various commercial and contract disputes.
  • Successfully negotiated a favorable settlement between previous co-owners of a multinational utility installation corporation.
  • Successfully negotiated a favorable settlement between a meat processing and distribution corporation and a vertically integrated food company after a failed acquisition.
  • Represented a municipality and its officers against constitutional challenges to a concealed firearm regulation.
  • Represented siblings in various family disputes regarding family-owned companies, properties, and trusts.
  • Represented a private New York State university in connection with criminal investigations involving accusations against its staff members.
  • Represented a private NYS university in connection with a NCAA investigation.
  • Represented a wildlife gallery and museum in connection with potential governmental investigations, inquiries, and raids.
  • Represented a regional construction company in connection with a criminal investigation involving accusations of defrauding the US government.
  • Represented a professional horse-racing team in connection with a criminal investigation involving accusations of a doping scheme.
  • Represented a regional restaurant group in connection with a criminal investigation involving tax fraud.
  • Represented a national television, cable, and internet provider in connection with a NYS Public Service Commission investigation.
  • Represented an inmate in a federal civil rights matter.

Prior Experience

Judicial Clerkships

  • US District Court for the Northern District of New York, Judge Frederick Scullin Jr.
  • Superior Court of New Jersey, Judge Regina Caulfield
Prior Experience

  • Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA), Market Regulations Legal Intern
  • NJ Office of the Attorney General, Securities Fraud Prosecution Intern
  • NYS Supreme Court and NYC Civil Court to Judge Eddie McShan, Judicial Intern
  • New Jersey Devils (NHL), Business Development Manager

Selected Community Activities

  • Onondaga County Volunteer Lawyer Project
  • Special Olympics New York, Volunteer

Selected Honors

  • Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America®: Commercial Litigation, 2025
  • New York State Bar Association, Empire State Counsel® Honoree, 2023
  • Barclay Damon LLP, Pro Bono Award, 2022
  • US District Court for the Northern District of New York, Honor Roll of Attorneys Providing Pro Bono Services, 2021

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