John J. Komar

John J. Komar

Offices: New York
Partner

John's practice encompasses cases involving transportation liability (both personal and commercial auto), labor law and construction liability, coverage claims, and premises liability. He has particular experience trying cases defending livery cars and commercial motor vehicles. He has tried over 100 cases ending in verdicts, many in defense verdicts or damages awards well below the reserve. His reported decisions include:

Daubert v. Flyte Time, 1 AD3d 395 (2nd. Dept. 2003)
Plowden v. Stevens Partners, 5 AD3d 609, 45 AD3d 659 (2nd. Dept 2005)
Agosto v. 30th Place Holding, 73 AD3d 492 (2nd. Dept 2010)

In addition to his liability practice, John is experienced in Surrogate's Court matters, filing petitions for probate and administration, wrongful death proceedings and guardianships. He is also a Part 36 NYS Court Fiduciary eligible for appointments as a Guardian Ad Litem, Court Evaluator and Attorney for Alleged Incapacitated Person in New York, Bronx and Kings Counties. Additionally, John has worked on real estate transactions, representing lenders and borrowers and purchasers and sellers, and is also experienced in the preparation and execution of wills and trusts.

Before joining Russo & Gould, John was staff counsel at AIG where he tried premises cases of high damages in the Bronx, Westchester and the Hudson Valley. As an AIG "Rising Star," he attended AIG's NITA Model Trial Training Program. Prior to AIG, John worked at a Main Street firm in Rockland County where he gained experience trying cases across a full range of areas.

Education
Pace University, School of Law, J.D., 1988
American Literature, University of Massachusetts, Boston, M.A., American Literature, 1982
State University of New York College at Purchase, B.A., English, 1980
Experience
● Eligible for court appointments as a Guardian Ad Litem, Court Evaluator and Attorney for Alleged Incapacitated Person in New York, Bronx, and Kings Counties
● Written and argued appeals in the First, Second, and Third Departments of the Appellate Division
Admissions
United State Supreme Court
United States District Court, Southern District of New York
New York
Speaking Engagements
Lecturer on trial practice and Rules of Evidence at National Business Institute

News Insights

November 14, 2022

John Komar Gets a Defense Verdict in Brooklyn

John Komar obtained a defense verdict on a summary jury trial in the Supreme Court Kings County before Judge Francois A. Rivera in the Jorge Garcet v. Renan Cantos Bermeo case, Index Number 510873/18. The plaintiff claimed that his lumbar discectomy with spinal fusion surgery and arthroscopic knee surgery was caused by the defendant''s negligence arising out a car accident on August 21, 2017.

March 12, 2019

John Komar Wins Damages Only Defense Verdict in Brooklyn Supreme Court

After deliberating for nine hours over the span of two days in the damages only trial of Brent v. Sheskin a Brooklyn jury returned a defense verdict on February 28, 2019 in favor of our client, a livery car driver based in Coney Island.

November 29, 2018

John Komar Wins Defense Verdict at Damages Trial in Brooklyn

On November 16, 2018 John Komar secured a defense verdict before the Hon. Richard J. Montelione, A.J.S.C. in Civil Court, Kings County, in the case of Hinds v Ali.