Joseph A. Petrillo

Joe Petrillo is a partner in Hoagland Longo’s Construction Law Department where he focuses on construction defects, construction liability, professional liability, and consumer fraud. Additionally, he handles insurance defense matters, including slip and fall and automobile cases. Joe is also an accomplished trial attorney. 

Joe has served as a Guest Lecturer on “Legal & Professional Issues for the New Jersey Engineer” at Rutgers University’s School of Engineering since 2015. In addition, he has participated in the American Board of Trial Advocates’ (ABOTA) National Trial College, an intensive training in trial techniques hosted by Harvard Law School. He was also selected by peer review for inclusion in the 2024 and 2025 editions of The Best Lawyers in America for the Construction Law and Construction Litigation practice areas, and recognized as a "Rising Star" by New Jersey Super Lawyers in 2021.

Joe received his B.A. from The College of New Jersey, his M.A.D.I.R. from Seton Hall University, and his law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law. While in law school, he clerked for the Hon. Richard W. English, J.S.C., Monmouth County Superior Court, Family Division and Criminal Division. Joe is admitted to the bar in New Jersey, New York, and the United States District County of New Jersey.

Throughout his career, Joseph has successfully achieved favorable outcomes for his clients in a number of different matters. Select examples include:

Appellate Division

• In 2022, Joseph successfully defended the appeal on behalf of an architecture firm based on the Affidavit of Merit Statute.  Plaintiff brought suit but failed to timely serve an Affidavit of Merit as required.  Thus, on Motion, the Plaintiff’s claims were dismissed with prejudice.  On appeal, Plaintiff argued that Joseph’s client’s scope of duties were broader than mere architectural services and/or that extraordinary circumstances existed warranting a reversal of the dismissal.  Joseph argued that all services provided were architectural including site construction administration services.  Also, no extraordinary circumstances should apply to the circumstance of simply failing to serve an Affidavit of Merit.  The Appellate Division affirmed agreeing with Joseph’s arguments.

• Joseph successfully defended the appeal on behalf of his client, an engineering firm, in subrogation case under the “Entire Controversy Doctrine”.  Plaintiff brought suit, as subrogee of a condominium unit owner, for damages alleged to be caused by water intrusion following a construction renovation project in which Joseph’s client was involved.  Multiple claims related to that construction project (consolidated into one earlier lawsuit), had already been fully litigated.  These earlier claims include one by the Plaintiff’s subrogor and another by Plaintiff as subrogee for a different condominium unit owner.   Joseph asserted that Plaintiff’s claim was barred under the Entire Controversy Doctrine, because Plaintiff had the opportunity to join the prior consolidated litigation but did not do so.  The trial court dismissed Plaintiff’s claim and the Appellate Division affirmed agreeing with Joseph’s assertion that the ECD barred the claim.

Pro Bono for Superstorm Sandy Victims

• Hoagland Longo worked pro-bono for Superstorm Sandy victims in Union Beach, New Jersey after the storm caused a tremendous amount of damage to their homes.  Joseph was instrumental in assisting with the contract work with respect to the re-construction of homes and primarily assisted with contract review and guidance on the installation of solar panels and the potential pitfalls with respect to the agreements.

Negotiated Settlements

• Joseph negotiated a settlement recovery between a homeowner and contractor after a claim was entered for Consumer Fraud / Negligence / Breach of Contract for sub-par construction when converting a duplex into a single family house.  Both parties sought damages and the end result was an agreement to dismiss all claims asserted in the pleadings with prejudice.
• Joseph negotiated a minimal settlement for an architect after a building owner filed suit seeking approximately $4 million in damages, claiming they deviated from the professional standard of care.  All claims were dismissed with prejudice.
• Joseph successfully settled a matter for a sheet metal company in a tort claim of defective design and construction in HVAC units for a multi-story building.  A Release for nominal settlement was obtained.

Statute of Limitations

• Joseph defended an engineering company in a multi-party Wrongful Death matter in regards to a roadway construction project which resulted in a fatality.  The outcome was a motion to dismiss all claims brought against his client based on Statue of Limitations.

Defense of Homeowner

• Joseph defended a homeowner in regards to a breach of contract claim, and litigated a Consumer Fraud counterclaim on his client’s behalf which ultimately resulted in a successful judgement for his client after a jury trial.

Personal Injury

• Joseph successfully litigated the defense of an architect after the Plaintiff claimed negligence and sought damages from a fall and personal injuries sustained after a piece of plywood covering a trench buckled.  The personal injury claim ultimately was dismissed on motion prior to trial.

Affidavit of Merit

• Joseph successfully defended an architect in a claim for defective construction work.  The Plaintiff pursued costs for repairing work performed, corrections, and damages. Joseph obtained a dismissal for the architect and primary defendant based on Affidavit of Merit Statute.

 

On a personal note, Joe is an avid runner and successfully completed the Philadelphia Marathon in 2012, the New York Marathon in 2016, and the Ocean Drive Marathon in 2018.

Affiliations

• Monmouth County Bar Association
  • Special Civil Part Committee (2016-2019; 2021-Present)
  • Judicial Appointments Committee (2016-2019)
  • Civil Practice Committee (2017-2024)
  • Community Association Law Committee (2021-2024)
• New Jersey State Bar Association
  • Construction Law Section
• Eastern Monmouth County Chamber of Commerce
• Supreme Court of New Jersey, District IX Ethics Committee (2018 – Present)
  • Chair (2024-Present)
  • Vice Chair (2022-2024)
• Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (CLM)
• Defense Research Institute (DRI)

Awards

• Best New Jersey Lawyers for Families, New Jersey Family (2022)
• The Best Lawyers in America (2024 and 2025 editions)
• New Jersey Super Lawyers, "Rising Stars" list (2021)

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