James J. Crudele is an associate in the Construction Litigation practice group. He focuses his practice on complex civil litigation, with an emphasis on defending construction, premises, and professional liability claims. He represents a broad range of clients—including property owners, developers, contractors, and municipal entities—in high-exposure matters involving multifaceted legal and factual issues.
Prior to joining the firm, James developed substantial litigation experience at several national defense firms, where he represented insureds for major carriers across diverse civil matters. His work included designing and implementing litigation strategies, assessing risk exposure, and advising clients in high-stakes disputes. He has handled cases through all phases of litigation, from drafting pleadings and managing discovery to negotiating settlements and arguing dispositive motions. He has appeared and successfully argued before courts in every venue throughout New York City and northern New Jersey.
Earlier in his career, James practiced in both state and federal courts, where he handled private criminal defense matters as well as complex civil litigation involving personal injury, civil rights, and employment claims. This cross-disciplinary background has provided him with a versatile foundation for navigating challenging litigation and advancing effective defense strategies across practice areas.