John T. Wolak

Legal Work Highlights

REPRESENTATIVE PRIVACY & DATA SECURITY MATTERS

• Served as data breach counsel leading the security incident investigation and response activities for a regional healthcare provider, including working with the forensics team, coordinating notification requirements, and interacting with federal authorities.
• Served as data breach counsel for an international relocation service in connection with security incident investigation and response activities arising out of a phishing scam exposing passport and other personal information.
• Served as data breach counsel for a law firm in response to a security event at a third party vendor and vendor’s sub-processor.
• Served as data breach counsel for an international manufacturing company in connection with notification obligations as a result of a phishing incident that compromised personal information of global contacts.
• Provided advice and counselling to an event programming and public relations service on privacy and security compliance with local, national, and international regulatory obligations.
• Represented an international data analytics company to assess and evaluate compliance with applicable U.S.-based privacy and security statutes and regulations in anticipation of a public offering of securities on foreign securities exchange.
• Served as counsel for an international manufacturer of communications technology providing advice and counselling on state and federal compliance obligations in connection with a global launch of cloud based testing and monitoring products and services.

REPRESENTATIVE INSURANCE COVERAGE MATTERS

• As specially retained appellate counsel, obtained the reversal of a multimillion-dollar summary judgment award against the firm’s clients – the policyholder and its liability insurer – because the adversary lacked standing to prosecute its claims for indemnification, both directly and under the applicable policy.
• Served as lead counsel for the firm in a confidential, three-week international arbitration in London under the English Arbitration Act commenced by a policyholder seeking $90 million of insurance coverage for personal injury claims arising out of the use of prescription medication.
• Obtained dismissal with prejudice of all claims by all parties against an insurer client, after extensive motion practice before the trial court and several appellate arguments, seeking to impose liability (directly and as co-insurers) in excess of $5 million for damages arising out of a construction site accident.
• Obtained a multimillion-dollar insurance recovery for a claim based on construction defects and property damage to the substructure of residential units and a parking garage, as insurance coverage counsel for condominium development owners.
• Successfully negotiated the resolution of coverage disputes on behalf of an international financial services company arising out of multi-million dollar losses caused by a former employee.
• Obtained insurance coverage under EPL policies for financial services company after insurer denied coverage for multiple lawsuits and claims alleging harassment and discrimination by a senior executive.
• Represented a prominent university in New Jersey in successfully negotiating the resolution of an insurance coverage dispute with various insurers of a general contractor and subcontractors, concerning insurance coverage for construction defects in connection with major renovations to a campus facility.
• Obtained dismissal with prejudice of all claims asserted against an insurer client for alleged extra-contractual damages under a D&O policy for defense and potential liability of individual directors and officers for Fair Labor Standards Act violations.

REPORTED DECISIONS / MATTERS

• Marshall v. Raritan Valley Disposal, 2012 N.J. Super. Unpub. LEXIS 544 (App. Div. 2012)
• V. Mane Fils S.A. v. Int’l Flavors & Fragrances, Inc., 2010 U.S. Dist. LEXIS 45645 (D.N.J. May 6, 2010)
• V. Mane Fils S.A. v. International Flavors and Fragrances, Inc., 249 F.R.D. 152 (D.N.J. 2008)
• Marshall v. Raritan Valley Disposal, 398 N.J.Super. 168 (App. Div. 2008
• Huthmacher v. Dunlop Tire Corp., 28 A.D.3d 1166, 815 N.Y.S.2d 385 (4th Dept. 2006)
• Allianz Underwriters Ins. Co. v. Landmark Ins. Co., 13 A.D.2d 172, 787 N.Y.S.2d 15 (1st Dept. 2006)
• Wakefern Food Corp. v. Chestnut Hill Plaza Holding Corp., 2001 Del. Ch. LEXIS 61, 2001 WL 515069 (Del. Ch. 2001)
• Rappoport v. Steven Spielberg, Inc., 16 F.Supp.2d 481 (D.N.J. 1998)
• New Jersey Coalition Against War in the Middle East v. J.M.B. Realty Corp., 138 N.J. 326 (N.J. 1994), 266 N.J.Super. 159 (App. Div. 1993), 266 N.J.Super. 195 (Ch. Div. 1991)
• Statewide Realty Co. v. Fidelity Management and Research Co., Inc., 259 N.J.Super. 59 (L. Div. 1992)

Law School

Fordham University School of Law, J.D.

• Member, Fordham Law Review
• American Jurisprudence Award, Federal Courts

Undergraduate School

Boston College, Carroll School of Management, B.S., cum laude

John served as a clerk for the court(s) and judge(s) below:

Law clerk to the Honorable Nicholas H. Politan, United States District Court for the District of New Jersey

John is licensed to practice in the following state(s):

New Jersey

New York

John is admitted to practice before the following court(s):

United States District Court for the District of New Jersey

United States District Court for the Southern District of New York

United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit

Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit

Supreme Court of the United States

Local & National Recognition

Award Selection Methodology

Recognized by Best Lawyers®, 2026 Edition: Insurance Law

Recognized by Best Lawyers®:“Lawyer of the Year,” Insurance in Newark, NJ (2014 Edition)

Included on the New Jersey Super Lawyers list, Insurance Coverage, 2006-2007, 2013-2018, 2020-2025

Included on the Martindale-Hubbell AV® Peer Review Rated list

Professional Affiliations & Memberships

Essex County Bar Association

New Jersey State Bar Association
Insurance Law Section
Legislative Committee
Business and Commercial Litigation Committee

New Jersey Business and Industry Association
Legal Affairs Committee

Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey

American Bar Association

William J. Brennan, Jr. Inn of Court Trial Program (1994-1995)

District V-A Ethics Committee

Civic & Charitable Organizations

Elder, Presbyterian Church at New Providence

New Providence Board of Education

New Providence Downtown Alliance

United Way of Summit and New Providence
Fund Distribution Committee