Gerald J.Valentini

Gerald (“Jerry”) Valentini received his BA degree from the University of Delaware in 1984. He received his Juris Doctor from the Whittier College School of Law in 1987.

Jerry began his practice at the law firm of Hogan, Baynes & Haworth in Los Angeles, California, and later moved home to the Philadelphia area in 1990 when he joined Deasey, Mahoney & Bender, Ltd. (now known as Deasey, Mahoney & Valentini, Ltd.). Jerry was elevated to partner status in 1996. His insurance and corporate defense practice is focused on issues involving products liability, construction site injury claims, construction defects, crane and rigging litigation, premises liability, professional liability, insurance coverage and bad faith litigation.

Products liability litigation is a major aspect of Jerry’s practice. Over the course of the last 35 years, he has represented a variety of manufacturing and distributor concerns in the areas of industrial machinery, including metal forming equipment, paper converting machinery, electrical equipment, plastic injection molding machinery, conveyor equipment, hydraulic jacks, flexible steel braided hoses, meat processing equipment, plastic products, power tools, lawn and garden equipment, construction equipment, scaffolding, plumbing supplies, paints and coatings, floor finishing products, consumer goods and appliances, mobile scooters, medical devices, and many others.

Jerry also has broad experience in insurance coverage and bad faith matters, representing carrier clients at both the primary and excess levels.  He has litigated numerous declaratory judgment actions involving a multitude of insurance coverage and bad faith issues.

Construction litigation represents another major area of Jerry’s practice.  He has defended a multitude of lawsuits involving construction defects and construction site accidents resulting in catastrophic personal injury, death, property damage, and business losses in a variety of state and federal courts.  He has represented property owners, general contractors, construction managers, subcontractors, crane rental companies, equipment owners, developers, design professionals, and consultants.

Jerry also has more than 35 years’ experience handling complex litigation matters, such as medical device and pharmaceutical cases. He has served as national liaison counsel in the Multi-District Diet Drug (Fen-Phen) Litigation.  In that role, he was responsible for coordinating defense efforts among a nationwide group of diet centers and clinics.  He has also successfully defended a client of the firm in Latex Glove Litigation, and has represented a major manufacturer involved in “PPA” (phenylpropanolamine) mass tort litigation.

Jerry has also been extensively involved in the handling of a variety of professional liability claims, including the defense of surgical centers, accountants, design professionals, certified inspectors, insurance agents and brokers, and other errors and omissions claims.  He has also served as national coordinating counsel for a major insurance carrier overseeing a large inventory of nursing home cases against its insured in 22 states.  In this capacity, he was responsible for a legal team that assisted his client in the litigation, evaluation, negotiation, and resolution of an inventory of over 180 professional liability claims.

Jerry also has substantial experience in defending liquor liability (“Dram Shop”), Hospitality, and Social Host Liability cases.   He has successfully tried and defended a number of such cases, including ones involving bar fights, altercations, shooting deaths, and automobile accidents.

Experience

• Deasey, Mahoney & Valentini, Ltd., 1990–Present
• Hogan, Baynes & Haworth – Los Angeles, Cal., 1989–1990

Professional Affiliations

• American Bar Association (Tort and Insurance Practice Section and Civil Litigation Committee)
• California Bar Association
• Defense Research Institute (Construction Law and Products Liability committees)
• Federation of Defense & Corporate Counsel (FDCC)
• Past President, Philadelphia Association of Defense Counsel (PADC)
• Pennsylvania Bar Association
• Philadelphia Bar Association
• Professional Liability Underwriting Society

Awards and Designations

• Martindale-Hubbell Rating: “AV Preeminent”
• PA Super Lawyers: 2004, 2008 – 2009, 2013 – 2023