Malcolm I. McPherson

Malcolm is the leader of Hoagland Longo’s automobile liability practice team, where he defends private individuals and commercial entities in civil matters involving personal injury, automobile and premises liability, insurance coverage disputes, and contract and indemnification issues. His practice also includes advising clients on risk management strategies to mitigate exposure before litigation arises.

A seasoned courtroom advocate, Malcolm is Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney—an honor earned by fewer than 2% of attorneys in the state. This designation recognizes his depth of trial experience and his demonstrated skill in handling complex civil cases through to resolution. He has successfully tried over 70 cases to verdict in New Jersey’s civil courts, consistently achieving favorable outcomes for his clients.

In addition to his trial work, Malcolm has represented clients in a range of arbitration proceedings in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. His ability to evaluate legal and factual issues early in a case and develop an effective litigation strategy has led to favorable results across various forums.

Prior to joining the firm, Malcolm served as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Jeffrey D. Light, J.S.C. in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Atlantic County. He later worked as Assistant County Counsel for Atlantic County, where he provided legal guidance to government departments, reviewed legal documents, and represented the County and its employees in civil litigation. He earned his Juris Doctorate from Penn State Dickinson School of Law.

Areas of Focus

Personal Injury & Premises Liability

• Defends clients against claims of bodily injury and negligent property maintenance
• Handles cases involving slip-and-fall, unsafe premises, and third-party liability

Automobile Liability

• Represents individuals, commercial drivers, and transportation entities in motor vehicle accident claims
• Experience with multi-party claims and complex coverage scenarios

Insurance Coverage & Contractual Indemnification

• Litigates coverage disputes and indemnification issues between insurers, businesses, and third parties
• Interprets policy language and contract terms to assess exposure and obligations

Risk Management

• Guides clients on risk transfer, claims prevention, and litigation preparedness
• Evaluates contractual language and insurance structures to reduce liability exposure

Representative Litigation and Trial Experience

Automobile Liability – Defense Verdict

• Defended a client in a personal injury trial where liability for the accident was stipulated, but the nature and severity of plaintiff’s injuries and damages was contested
• Plaintiff presented an expert economist at trial in support of her claim for $1.5-$1.6 million in past and future lost wages
• Plaintiff presented an expert life care planner at trial in support of her claim for over $400,000 projected future medical expenses and life care expenses
• Successfully attacked the credibility of plaintiff, her medical and economic experts, resulting in a defense verdict for client
• Jury found plaintiff had failed to meet her burden as to the claimed permanent injures and economic damages, ultimately awarding zero damages

Automobile Liability – Defense Verdict

• Defended a client who was operating a motor vehicle which was in an accident with an e-bike
• Plaintiff claimed permanent spinal injuries resulted from the accident
• Effectively cross-examined plaintiff to establish that fault for the accident rested solely with him
• Jury unanimously found that plaintiff bicyclist had failed to establish that the client was negligent, dismissing the case against the client

Automobile Liability – Defense Verdict

• Defended a client in a personal injury trial where liability for the accident was stipulated, but the nature and severity of plaintiff’s injuries and damages was contested
• Plaintiff (who was 28 years old at the time of the accident) ultimately underwent spinal surgery post-accident. Her neurosurgical and radiology experts argued that the accident was the cause of her injuries, surgery, and resulting pain and suffering
• Successfully cross-examined the plaintiff and her experts to establish a history of prior problems to the same areas claimed injured in the accident
• Established at trial that Plaintiff had resumed full activities and had not satisfied her burden regarding pain and suffering damages claimed
• Jury found plaintiff had failed to meet her burden as to the claimed permanent injures and damages, ultimately awarding zero damages

Automobile Liability – Defense Verdict

• Defended a client in a personal injury trial where liability for the accident was stipulated, but the nature and severity of plaintiff’s injuries and damages was contested
• Plaintiff alleged permanent injuries to her spine resulted from the motor vehicle accident
• Successfully cross-examined the plaintiff and her experts in neuroradiology, radiology, and chiropractic to establish a history of prior problems to some of the same areas claimed injured in the accident
• Plaintiff’s last pre-trial demand was $250,000
• Jury found plaintiff had failed to meet her burden as to the claimed permanent injures and damages, ultimately awarding zero damages

 

Affiliations

• Atlantic County Bar Association
• New Jersey State Bar Association
• Claims and Litigation Management Alliance (“CLM”)
• New Jersey Defense Association

Awards

• New Jersey Super Lawyers, "Rising Stars" list (2020-Present)

• Malcolm I. McPherson

  Rated by Super Lawyers
  
  
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