Joseph W. Email & Phone Number

Philadelphia, Pa, Us

Partner in Duane Morris' Trial Practice Group practicing in the area of complex litigation, handling a variety of matters in areas including, but not limited to, class actions, insurance litigation, commercial litigation, zoning and land use, catastrophic injury, products liability, and labor and employment. Serves as a member of the firm’s Partners Board and serves as the firm’s Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer. Manages Duane Morris’ comprehensive firm-wide diversity and inclusion program and chairs the firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Consulting Practice. Advises domestic and global companies on a wide array of legal issues, and also represents, trains and advises numerous associations and companies, including publicly traded companies and their boards and CEOs, on issues related to diversity and inclusion and the compliance, risk management and corporate strategies associated with these issues. Assisted in establishing the first of its kind law firm diversity and inclusion consulting practice at the firm, which has been cited for its innovative approach to crafting sustainable diversity and inclusion programs and solutions for corporate entities.

Washington, District Of Columbia, Us

Developed, managed and implemented strategic vision and all programming for national legal organization focused on diversity and inclusion. This included oversight of budget, consultants and a staff of 12 in the main office in Washington, DC as well as a previous satellite office in Atlanta. Managed MCCA’s scholarship and mentoring programs as well as its considerable research portfolio. Presented keynote speeches, training sessions and CLE panels on a range of legal issues. Published Diversity & the Bar magazine, the most widely circulated magazine of its kind, as well as articles on a wide range of legal topics. Conducted quarterly meetings of MCCA’s board of directors and monthly committee meetings of the board, which consists of 25 general counsels of major public corporations. This position also involved extensive public speaking, media appearances and presentations before CEOs, corporate boards of directors and legal groups.

Bentonville, Arkansas, Us

Managed and oversaw more than 600 external firms and 25,000 lawyers and paralegals with an annual outside counsel spend of more than $300 million. Managed the entire approved counsel process; oversaw the RFP process; negotiated, set and approved rate requests and acted as the final arbiter on conflict waiver requests. Managed external firm compliance with the terms of Walmart’s Outside Counsel Management Guidelines. Created and implemented Walmart’s origination credit certification requirements designed to increase retention, reduce costs and provide advancement opportunities within outside firms. Managed Walmart’s game-changing Relationship Partner Initiative where the company took over the process of naming the Walmart relationship partner. Selected by Walmart General Counsel to serve on the in-house team managing the Walmart Inc. v. Dukes case, the largest class-action matter in history.

New Orleans, La, Us

Managed a litigation team and handled numerous high profile trials in the areas of commercial litigation, utilities regulation, and tort and casualty. Obtained zero defense verdicts in a significant toxic tort matter, one of which resulted in a $1.06 billion jury verdict against a separate co-defendant. Prepared and presented Serious Case Reports to senior company executives. Handled all aspects of system-wide litigation in areas of labor and employment including supervision of outside counsel. Co-managed the design and implementation of regulatory pricing tariffs for commercial and industrial customers of utility subsidiaries. Conducted system-wide legal seminars for company executives. Oversaw the legal department’s design of company-wide contingency planning system, which won national acclaim in the wake of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

New Orleans, La, Us

Taught law school course at Tulane University Law School providing practical instruction to second and third year law students in all areas of preparation, skills and advocacy techniques.

Juris Doctor

Bachelor'S Degree, Journalism

Education record

Specialized Coursework On Media And Communications Law

Executive Training