Joan M. Bannan

Counsel

Overview

Joan Bannan is counsel to Porzio Bromberg & Newman and a member of the Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice Team. She is a trial attorney whose diverse background enables her to be a thoughtful, strategic advocate who effectively evaluates and anticipates factual and legal issues to best represent her clients.

Prior to joining Porzio, Joan's experience included civil litigation, criminal prosecution and professional claims management. Formerly, as a medical malpractice defense attorney, she gained extensive jury trial litigating cases involving catastrophic injuries including neurological brain damage, loss of limbs, loss of vision and death. As an assistant prosecutor in Morris County, she tried felony cases and presented before the Grand Jury as a member of the trial team. During her tenure with a national professional liability insurer, she collaborated with insureds and panel counsel to create and implement innovative strategies to secure favorable resolutions. She also negotiated multi-million dollar settlements and monitored jury trials.

Outside the office, Joan is committed to public service and volunteerism. She was elected as a Bernards Township Committeewoman in 2018 and serves on several municipal boards and commissions. She is a volunteer speaker at community and school events concerning adolescent substance use disorder. Joan is also certified by the National Council for Behavioral Health as a Youth Mental Health First Aid Instructor and has trained over 100 members of her community including local school districts' administrators and teachers.

Memberships

  • Trial Attorneys of New Jersey
  • New Jersey State Bar Association

Opinions, Decisions and Cases

  • Scafidi v. Seiler, 119 N.J. 93 (1990)
  • Olah v. Slobodian, 119 N.J. 119 (1990)
  • Williamson v. Waldman, 150 N.J. 232 (1997)
  • Grasser v. Kitzis, 230 N.J. Super. 216 (App. Div. 1988)