Thomas J. Patania Associate New Jersey
Phone: 973.623.2700 Fax: 973.623.4496 tpatania@lcbf.com

Thomas handles a wide variety of matters throughout New Jersey and New York state and federal courts, focusing his practice on transportation, toxic tort, premises liability, and construction litigation.  Thomas is dedicated to his work and prides himself on his attention to detail and written and oral advocacy. He has successfully taken and defended numerous depositions and prepared cases for trial.

In June 2022, on the heels of the pandemic, Thomas successfully second-chaired a four-day in person premises liability trial resulting in a defense verdict for the firm’s client, a restaurant franchisee. LCBF successfully and convincingly cross-examined Plaintiff and her witnesses by raising significant credibility issues with plaintiff’s liability and damages allegations.

Thomas also has spoken on a toxic tort panel titled "Low Level Exposure to Benzene: What is the Risk?" Updates on Health Science Topics, Princeton, NJ (5/4/23).

Prior to joining the firm, Thomas served as the Law Clerk to the Hon. Estela M. De La Cruz, J.S.C., Civil Division, Bergen County, Superior Court of New Jersey.  While clerking for Judge De La Cruz, Thomas successfully mediated several cases in the Law Division and Special Civil Part.  He also drafted bench memoranda and edited opinions concerning a wide range of civil matters, as well as managed the Court’s extensive motion calendar.

Thomas received his J.D., cum laude, from Seton Hall University School of Law, where he was a Junior Associate Editor for the Seton Hall Circuit Review, and his B.A., magna cum laude, in Political Science from Seton Hall University.  During his undergraduate career, Thomas served as Treasurer and Captain of the Seton Hall Mock Trial Team.

Prior to attending law school, Thomas worked in construction and property maintenance. He uses his prior experience to develop creative approaches for defending the firm’s clients in construction and premises liability litigation.

Presentations include:

  • "Low Level Exposure to Benzene: What is the Risk?" Updates on Health Science Topics, Princeton, NJ (5/4/23)

Practice Areas

Admissions

New Jersey, 2018
New York, 2020
U.S. District Court District of New Jersey
U.S. District Court Southern District of New York

Associations and Professional Activities

New Jersey State Bar Association

Honors and Awards

Junior Associate Editor, Volume XIV, Seton Hall Circuit Review

Education

J.D., cum laude, Seton Hall University School of Law, Newark, New Jersey, 2018
B.A., magna cum laude, Seton Hall University, 2015