Jay Evans adeptly navigates a diverse array of litigation and appellate matters. His counsel extends to intricate topics such as the management of nationwide case inventories, products liability, contracts, real estate disputes, trade secrets, restrictive covenants and other complex business disputes.

Within his expansive practice, Jay takes on the role of both national coordinating counsel and local counsel for corporations, particularly those operating in the automotive and vehicle equipment manufacturing sector. He addresses formidable litigation issues in the domain of product liability and toxic torts. Jay’s representation spans across Pennsylvania, West Virginia and various parts of the United States, as he expertly handles multifaceted toxic tort cases. He is instrumental in guiding companies through internal investigations and analysis to proactively address or avoid civil and criminal matters.

A pivotal aspect of Jay’s practice revolves around his grasp of his clients’ products, enterprises and aspirations. He collaborates closely with his clients to create efficient and cost-effective strategies aligned with their legal and financial objectives. Whether grappling with intricate product defect or exposure cases, interpreting contracts, or offering lease advice, Jay’s goal is to empower clients to position themselves optimally in the legal landscape and global business arena. Through strategic guidance, he helps them proactively avoid needless litigation while ensuring they are meticulously prepared for any essential legal actions that may arise.

Honors

  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America® for Mass Torts Litigation and Class Action – Defendants, 2022 – present
  • Rated AV® Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell®

Professional & Civic Involvement

  • Allegheny County Arbitration Division, Court of Common Pleas
    • Housing Mediator
    • Court-Appointed Arbitrator
  • Canine Companions
    • Volunteer Puppy Raiser
    • Socialization Instructor
  • Defense Research Institute (DRI)
  • Garden City Church
  • IADC
  • LUMA Institute, Practitioner of Human-Centered Design
  • Pennsylvania Bar Association
    • Appellate Advocacy Committee
  • Pennsylvania Innocence Project
  • Majority Inspector of Elections, Ross Township Ward 3 District 4

Practice Highlights

Representative Matters

  • Managing nationwide toxic tort litigation for a heavy equipment manufacturer, including coordinating all discovery and expert preparation for trial testimony.
  • Defended lease-related suits on behalf of a retailer that was forced to close because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
  • Conducted a comprehensive internal investigation to aid with a recommendation to senior management regarding the conduct of new employees. The client was informed that its new hires were allegedly violating their covenants with a former employer. Included extensive interviews of employees and their supervisors, as well as reviewing images of computers, USB devices, drives, phones, text messages, voicemails, and company and personal email boxes. Client was able to make selective decisions regarding termination and retention of the employees.
  • Drafted amicus brief to the Pennsylvania Supreme Court on behalf of an automotive company regarding the proper standard for assessing expert testimony regarding disease causation in the Pennsylvania courts.
  • Assisted several automotive and heavy equipment clients in preparing for and trying toxic exposure cases, including several jury verdicts.
  • Prepared and delivered arguments for a client accused of discovery violations and facing significant sanctions in a matter pending in Illinois. Persuaded a judge inclined to rule unfavorably that no sanctions or adverse order of any type were warranted.
  • Defended dozens of lease-related suits on behalf of a retailer that made a strategic decision to exit the Pennsylvania marketplace.

Pro-Bono

  • Mediates rental disputes between indigent tenants and landlords to avoid costly eviction proceedings.
  • Sought DNA testing for prisoners maintaining their innocence in decades-old sexual assault and murder cases.
  • Authored amicus briefs in support of the Pennsylvania Innocence Project’s positions regarding prisoners’ access to public records and filings in light of prisoners’ lack of access to the courthouses or use of the Internet; presumption of such access was struck down by the Pennsylvania Supreme Court and rights of unrepresented prisoners were expanded.
  • Represented a criminal defendant whose private and privileged counseling sessions were divulged to a third party without consent.
  • Represented a wrongfully convicted man in a malicious prosecution matter regarding the six years he spent in prison before being exonerated in a second trial.

News & Events

Publications

Speaking Engagements

  • “Canine Companions – More Than a Vest,” DRI Asbestos Medicine Conference, 2023
  • “When Justice Fails,” Western Pennsylvania Committee of the Pennsylvania Innocence Project, 2021
  • “No, Seriously – Using Nontraditional Methods Such as Comedy for Skills and Balance,” DRI Virtual Asbestos Medicine Seminar, 2020
  • “Building the Capacity of Nonprofit Arts Organizations Through Board Engagement,” Bloomberg Philanthropies’ Arts Innovation and Management Program, 2019
  • “Exposure is not Causation: How Recent Rulings are Changing the Standards Applied to Experts and How to Challenge Them,” DRI Product Liability Conference, 2017

Publications

  • “Developing Alternative Skills with a Purpose,” author, In-House Defense Quarterly, 2021
  • “The Potential Impact of Smartphones, Wearable Tech in Personal Injury Cases,” co-author, The Legal Intelligencer, 2018
  • “Pro Bono Representations and Appointments,” contributor, Third Circuit Appellate Practice Manual (Third Edition), 2016
  • “The Third Circuit, Notice and Access for Pro Se Prisoners,” author, The Legal Intelligencer, 2016
  • “A View From the Sidelines 2: Oral Arguments and the New Supreme Court,” author, The Legal Intelligencer, 2016
  • “Showing and Not Telling in Appellate Advocacy,” author, The Legal Intelligencer, 2016
  • “Rebuttal, Reply, Riposte: A Detailed Discussion,” author, The Legal Intelligencer, 2015
  • “Suggestions for Effective Appellate Oral Argument,” author, The Legal Intelligencer, 2015
  • “The Difficulty of Consistent Application of Supreme Court Precedent,” author, The Legal Intelligencer, 2015
  • “Crafting Arguments With Your Audience in Mind,” author, Pennsylvania Law Weekly, 2014
  • “Despite New Ruling, Discovery of Expert Communication Remains Unclear,” author, Pennsylvania Law Weekly, 2014
  • “Handling an Appeal in a ‘Case in a Box,” author, Pennsylvania Law Weekly, 2014
  • “Avoiding a Nightmare – Creating a Record to be Proud of,” author, DRI Newsletter, 2014
  • “Questioning the Balance Between Dicta and Holding,” author, Pennsylvania Law Weekly, 2014
  • “Predicting the Application of the Restatement (Third) of Torts,” author, Pennsylvania Law Weekly, 2013
  • “Losing One’s Appeal (Before It Starts),” author, The Legal Intelligencer, 2009