Jonathan I. Handler

Overview

Jonathan Handler represents corporate clients in complex commercial litigation with an emphasis on large-scale contract and product liability disputes. He has represented clients in state and federal courts in Massachusetts and elsewhere in matters involving toxic torts, wireless telecommunications, construction, accounting, litigation, insurance broker malpractice, unfair and deceptive trade practices, and mergers and acquisitions. He also assists corporate clients in a variety of industries, including specialty chemicals and aerospace, in evaluating the risks and benefits of particular actions and counsels them on ways to mitigate risk and avoid litigation.

Jonathan has been published on a variety of legal subjects, including "earn out" disputes, Chapter 93A, the work product doctrine and recent developments in product liability law. He is a former member of the firm's Executive Board and previously served as office managing partner of the firm's Boston office.

Experience

No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the highest court of any state. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Secured summary judgment for insurance brokers against a financial services firm seeking an eight-figure recovery on a "failure to procure" claim.

Achieved a highly favorable settlement for the seller of a mature technology business in an "earnout" dispute.

Defeated a Bankruptcy Trustee's "failure to procure" claim against an insurance broker through a successful motion for summary judgment in an adversary proceeding.

Prevailed on summary judgment for an alternative fuels system manufacturer in a breach of contract dispute over earnout payments.

Successfully represented non-profit Educational Broadband Service providers in obtaining preliminary injunction and partial summary judgment against a wireless telecommunications company

Defended construction products/specialty chemicals company in cost recovery and wrongful death lawsuits arising from ceiling collapse in I-90 Connector Tunnel on Boston's Big Dig project; all claims were settled on highly favorable terms

Successfully defended a "Big Four" accounting firm against claims of professional malpractice before a three-member panel, which issued a favorable decision on plaintiffs' claims against our client after a five-day arbitration, and a Superior Court judge, who entered summary judgment in our client's favor on a related third-party claim for contribution

Represented a commercial building owner in a complex tort action seeking to recover for the failure of pre-stressed concrete pilings that led to the collapse and condemnation of a waterfront office building, where we obtained a favorable settlement for our client after extensive discovery and mediation

Obtained summary judgment on behalf of an aerospace subsidiary of a Fortune 100 company on a tortious interference claim.

Education and Credentials

Education

University of Virginia School of Law, J.D., 1992
Harvard College, A.B., magna cum laude, 1988

Admissions

Commonwealth of Massachusetts
State of Maine
U.S. District Court, District of Maine
U.S. Court of Appeals for the First Circuit
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
U.S. District Court, District of Massachusetts
U.S. District Court, District of Connecticut
U.S. District Court, District of Colorado
U.S. District Court, Northern District of Illinois
U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York

Affiliations

New England Legal Foundation, Board of Directors, 2022-Present; State Advisory Council, Massachusetts, 2006-2022
Federal Bar Association, Massachusetts Chapter, President, 2018-2019, Board of Directors, 2009-2021
Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers, Hearing Committee, 2006-2011, 2014-2019, 2023-Present
Boston Bar Association, Federal Practice & Procedure Committee, Litigation Section, Co-Chair, 2009-2010
American Bar Foundation, Fellow, 2016-Present

Recognition and Community

No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the highest court of any state. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. See Awards Methodology.

Recognitions

Chosen for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America (Woodward/White, Inc.), Product Liability Litigation - Defendants, 2024-2026

Selected to the list of Massachusetts Super Lawyers (Thomson Reuters), Business Litigation, 2004, 2006, 2010-2021, 2023-2024

Community Involvement

Alray Scholars Program, Mentor, 2017-2021

Thrive Scholars (formerly SCS Noonan Scholars), Mentor, 2018-2022

Big Brothers Big Sisters/2.0 Program, Mentor, 2017-2018

Greater Boston Legal Services, Board of Directors, 2001-2010

Boston University School of Law, Program on Legal Writing, Instructor, 1998-1999

News & Insights

In The Media

Publications

A Growing Number of States Recognize Medical Monitoring Claims, BNA Inc., Product Safety & Liability Reporter, April 26, 2010
The SJC on data privacy and 93A's injury requirement, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, May 23, 2013
Split Mass. Top Court Says Strict Time Bar Can Apply To 93A, Law360, August 29, 2018
The Application of 'Plausibility' to Affirmative Defenses: Has the Wave Crested?, U.S. Law Week, October 28, 2015
Jonathan Handler and Emily Zandy Discuss Recent SJC Decision on Consumer Privacy Statute, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, May 23, 2013
Co-author, "A Growing Number of States Recognize Medical Monitoring Claims," BNA Inc., Product Safety & Liability Reporter, April 26, 2010, Product Safety & Liability Reporter, April 26, 2010

Media Mentions

Judge declines to apply ‘subject-matter waiver' in business spat, August 25, 2025
Expert's ‘Pilot' Surveys Discoverable in Trademark Case, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, June 4, 2025
Despite Challenges It Presents, Influx of Federal Judges Seen As Positive, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, December 15, 2023
Auditor's report discoverable: Not covered by work product, attorney-client privilege, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, December 27, 2012
'We All Lost A Year': Boston Attys Return To Changed Hub, Law360, February 22, 2021
Info From Journalists Isn't 'Work Product', Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, January 3, 2020
New Mass. Top Court Favors Tough Queries, Long Arguments, Law360, March 20, 2019
Massachusetts Trends And Cases To Watch In 2019, Law360, January 1, 2019
Split Mass. Top Court Says Strict Time Bar Can Apply To 93A | Summer 2018, Law360, August 29, 2018
Injunction Secures Internet Access for Nonprofits, Fairfield County Business Journal, December 3, 2015
Sprint Barred From Shutting Off Low-Income Users' Internet, Law360, November 9, 2015
Judge Issues Injunction Against Sprint Over Network Shutdown, Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly, November 6, 2015

Speaking Engagements

Federal Bar Association: The Twenty-Six Words That Created The Internet, May 19, 2021
Chair, "Contract Disputes & Litigation," MCLE, February 11, 2013, February 11, 2013

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