Profiles

Douglas Ciolek graduated from Rutgers College in 1985 with a B.S. in Microbiology. He then served with distinction in the U.S. Army through 1989. After being honorably discharged, Mr. Ciolek obtained his J.D. from Pace University School of Law in 1994. In addition, he also earned Certificates in Health Law & Policy and Environmental Law. Mr. Ciolek then went on to serve as Staff Counsel for the Union County Surrogate’s Office from 1996-1997.

Since entering private practice in 1998, Mr. Ciolek has extensively litigated cases in the following areas: professional malpractice (medical and legal); employment discrimination; insurance coverage and insurer bad faith; product liability; civil rights; commercial litigation; defamation; personal injury; and automobile/general litigation. His background is rather unique
because of his representation of plaintiffs and defendants. For example, he has represented physicians, hospitals, Fortune 500 and foreign corporations as defendants in multiparty high exposure cases. He has also represented the victims of sexual harassment, whistleblowers who are illegally fired, and clients whose claims have been negligently prosecuted or defended by their prior attorney. Representing both plaintiffs and defendants gives him a  unique perspective on litigated cases that allows him to prepare for and overcome his adversary’s strategies.

 

The following are a sampling of Mr. Ciolek’s results on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants:

 

• Defense verdict at trial on behalf of a physician-defendant sued for medical malpractice by his patient, who alleged that the physician’s negligence caused a lung impairment due to a pulmonary embolism.

• Defense verdict at trial on behalf of a major New Jersey hospital against a plaintiff who alleged negligence and injuries relating to the condition of its property, including the need for major spinal fusion surgery and multiple surgeries to her knees, and over $600,000 in medical bills.

• Defense verdict at trial on behalf of a landscaper sued by a homeowner’s insurer which alleged negligence resulting in flooding and foundation damage to the home.

• Legal malpractice claim against multiple law firms for their negligent handling of an underlying matter, which caused his client’s temporary disbarment as an attorney and loss of reputation, resulting in a confidential seven figure settlement.

• Legal malpractice against a law firm and attorney for negligent representation in an underlying divorce action. His malpractice claim resulted in a confidential settlement at the beginning of trial that was thirty five times the original offer from the defendant’s malpractice carrier.

• Trip and fall at a movie theatre due to the remnant of a pole sticking out of the ground, constituting a hazardous condition, resulting in a confidential six figure settlement for his client.

• C.E.P.A. (whistleblower) claim on behalf of his client-employee against his employer, a cable company, resulting in a confidential six figure settlement which was ultimately more than seven times the amount of defendant’s first settlement offer.

• Sexual Harassment claim on behalf of a plaintiff-employee against an attorney and his firm, resulting in a confidential six figure settlement.

• N.J. L.A.D. (Law Against Discrimination) age discrimination claim on behalf of a plaintiff-employee against his employer, a private school, resulting in a confidential settlement.

• Product liability claim on behalf of a plaintiff against a product manufacturer, resulting in a confidential six figure settlement for a hand injury.
   

Mr. Ciolek has tried numerous jury trials and is Certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Civil Trial Attorney, a distinction held only by approximately 2% of all attorneys admitted to practice law in New Jersey. A New Jersey attorney who is certified by the Supreme Court as a
civil trial attorney must have: been a member in good standing of the New Jersey; fulfilled ongoing continuing legal education requirements; demonstrated a substantial level of experience in civil trial law; been favorably evaluated by other attorneys and judges familiar with his or her work; and taken and passed a written examination in civil trial law.
Mr. Ciolek was appointed by the New Jersey Supreme Court as an ethics investigator for the District XB Ethics Committee for a 4 year period, from 2012-2015, then as a special investigator for 2016, and was reappointed for another 4 year term from 2017-2020.

Admitted: New Jersey State Court - 1995

New Jersey Federal District Court - 1995
Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) - 2020

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Member: Morris County Bar Association