Fiona focuses her practice on construction defect, general liability, and civil litigation matters. Her work includes legal research, drafting pleadings and motions, and analyzing complex issues arising in construction and commercial disputes. She brings a practical perspective to construction cases, informed by her judicial clerkship experience and hands-on involvement in a range of litigation matters.
Before joining Hoagland Longo, Fiona served as a Law Clerk to the Honorable Susanne Lavelle, J.S.C., in the Civil Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Hudson County. In that role, she drafted memorandum opinions on dispositive motions, assisted in settlement conferences, and mediated small claims disputes. She gained particular insight into construction law by analyzing professional liability and duty-of-care issues in cases involving engineers and large-scale construction projects.
During law school, Fiona was Senior Managing Editor of the Rutgers Law Record and served on the executive board of the Women’s Law Forum. She also worked in the Rutgers Child Advocacy Clinic, representing youth clients in family and immigration proceedings, and gained additional litigation experience through internships with Central Jersey Legal Services, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, and the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General.
Areas of Focus
Construction Defect & General Liability
- Handles matters involving structural defects, workmanship issues, and personal injury claims on construction projects.
- Works on legal documents and conducts research related to liability, indemnity, and duty of care in construction disputes.
- Applies working knowledge of engineering and contractor responsibilities under New Jersey law.
Civil Litigation & Professional Liability
- Works on claims involving architects, engineers, and other professionals in the construction industry.
- Analyzes issues of negligence, breach of duty, and risk allocation in complex cases.
- Reviews technical records, expert reports, and discovery materials to support defense strategies.
Litigation Support & Case Development
- Drafts pleadings, motions, and memorandum opinions in civil litigation matters.
- Conducts detailed legal research and fact analysis to assist in case strategy.
- Brings experience from judicial and clinical practice settings to develop case narratives and litigation approaches.