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JenLeonardi

She | Her | Hers

Partner

"It's a privilege to come to work and advocate for my clients, who count on me to deliver Barclay Damon's signature professionalism and experience."

Overview

Biography

Jen concentrates her practice on defending individuals and companies against claims in environmental-exposure litigation, products liability, workers’ compensation, and general negligence.

Jen actively defends asbestos and lead-paint claims, representing manufacturers, suppliers, contractors, and site owners in all NYS courts and in the US District Court for the Western District of New York. She routinely conducts lead examination for defendants at depositions in asbestos-related lawsuits, coordinates with asbestos and lead-paint experts, and has successfully argued motions for summary judgment and negotiated numerous settlements and voluntary dismissals.

From pre-suit discovery through trial and resolution, Jen has extensive experience handling all aspects of litigated matters, and is also skilled in negotiating settlements, when appropriate.

In addition to her practice, Jen is a member of the firm's Diversity Partner Committee and serves as pro bono partner.

Bar Associations

  • Bar Association of Erie County
  • Minority Bar Association of Western New York Criminal Justice Reform Task Force
  • New York State Bar Association
  • Women’s Bar Association of New York State

Selected Memberships & Affiliations

  • Barclay Damon’s Women’s Forum
Experience

Representative Experience

  • Defended a property owner at trial in lead-paint action.
  • Awarded  summary judgment on behalf of various clients, including equipment manufacturers, suppliers, and contractors in asbestos claims. Motions were decided on various grounds, including lack of product identification, statute of limitations, and the second injury rule, among others.
  • Negotiated numerous voluntary dismissals for various clients in asbestos-related actions.
  • Coordinates with various experts in asbestos and lead-paint-related claims to defend actions at trial and/or negotiate settlements when appropriate.
  • Acts as defense liaison counsel in various asbestos cases throughout the Seventh and Eight Judicial Districts. This involves close contact with the courts and co-defendants relative to selection of trial dates and defense needs as the litigation progresses.
  • Obtained summary judgment for a roofing manufacturer in a living mesothelioma case with only two viable defendants and a settlement demand of over $1 million, saving the client the cost of trial and a potentially large adverse verdict.

Prior Experience

  • Damon Morey LLP, Partner
  • Gibson, McAskill & Crosby LLP, Law Clerk
  • Gielowski, Federice & Caligiuri, LLP, Associate

Selected Community Activities

  • Daemen College Paralegal Studies Program, Board of Directors Member
  • Special Olympics, Volunteer
  • Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, Volunteer

Selected Honors

  • The Best Lawyers in America®: Product Liability Litigation – Defendants, 2024–2025
  • Selected to Super Lawyers Upstate New York: Civil Litigation—Defense, 2023–2024
  • City & State New York, Above & Beyond: Social Services List, 2024
  • Selected to Super Lawyers Upstate New York Rising Stars: Civil Litigation—Defense, 2013–2017, 2019–2020
Knowledge

Selected Speaking Engagements

  • American Conference Institute 23rd National Forum on Asbestos Claims & Litigation, “The Science and Theories of Liability Behind ‘Each and Every’, ‘Single Fiber’, and ‘Cumulative” Exposure’”

Selected Media

  • Law360 Pulse, "Barclay Damon Partners Talk 100% Pro Bono Participation"
  • Villanova Environmental Law Journal, “It’s Still Here! The Continuing Battle Over Asbestos in America”

Selected Alerts & Blog Posts

Featured Media

Alerts

Second Circuit Upholds New York State's Ivory Law, but Holds Display Restriction Unconstitutional

Alerts

$175 Million of Federal Funds Available for Electric Vehicle Chargers in New York State

Alerts

USFWS Issues Final Guidance on Northern Long-Eared Bat and Tricolored Bat

Alerts

IRS Guidance Excludes VA Service-Connected Disability Benefits From Certain Income Determinations for Qualified Residential Rental Projects

Alerts

Second Department: Objective Evidence Required to Establish Trivial Defect Defense

Alerts

NYS Department of Health Issues Consumer Protection Guidance on Payments for Health Care Services

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