VP Law
October 1, 2026

Varcadipane & Pinnisi, P.C., is pleased to announce that Joseph C. Stimmel, Esq. has been selected to the 2027 New Jersey Super Lawyers Rising Stars list in recognition of his work in personal injury and civil litigation. This is the second consecutive year Mr. Stimmel has received this honor, following his selection to the 2026 list.
Mr. Stimmel is a Senior Associate at the firm. He concentrates his practice on personal injury, employment law, and civil and commercial litigation in New Jersey and New York. He frequently represents clients who have suffered catastrophic injuries involving the brain, spine, back, burns, and other life-altering harm. Known for his thorough preparation and determined advocacy, Mr. Stimmel approaches every case ready for trial. He pursues accountability on behalf of injured clients, even when facing large corporations and their insurers.
In addition to his personal injury practice, Mr. Stimmel represents clients in complex employment and civil disputes involving harassment, discrimination, unpaid wages, and employment agreements. His experience includes representing a managing director in a breach of contract dispute with a major Wall Street bank. His broader litigation practice also includes fraud and theft matters, insurance coverage disputes, and business litigation.
Recent Trial Results
$2 Million Recovery in Dutchess County Slip and Fall (2026)
In 2026, Mr. Stimmel won a liability verdict in a New York slip and fall trial on behalf of a client who suffered severe spine and shoulder injuries. Her injuries required multiple surgeries, including the implantation of spinal hardware, and left her unable to return to work. The property owner repeatedly tried to blame the client for her own fall. After a week-long liability trial, the jury found the owner negligent. The court had split the case into separate liability and damages trials. Building on his success in the liability phase, Mr. Stimmel negotiated a $2 million settlement before the damages trial began. He achieved this result even though the client had pre-existing medical conditions affecting some of the same body parts.
Complete Defense Verdict in $6 Million Business Partnership Dispute (2026)
Also in 2026, Mr. Stimmel obtained a complete defense verdict after a four-day arbitration trial in New Jersey before a retired federal judge. The plaintiff sought more than $6 million in damages from Mr. Stimmel’s client, alleging breach of contract, fraud, and breach of fiduciary duty. The case involved an international business based in Kuwait and a contract signed in New Jersey, so Mr. Stimmel had to work through issues under both Kuwaiti and New Jersey law. To prepare, he consulted with a Kuwaiti attorney, retained an Arabic interpreter, and learned to analyze Kuwaiti corporate financial statements.
$2.2 Million Jury Verdict in Traumatic Brain Injury Case (2025)
In February 2025, after a two-week jury trial in New York City, Mr. Stimmel secured a unanimous jury verdict of more than $2.2 million for a client who suffered a traumatic brain injury and chronic post-concussion syndrome in a trip and fall accident. Throughout the case, the property owner and its insurer called it a “no-pay” case. During trial, they offered only $50,000 while trying to blame the injured plaintiff. The jury rejected those arguments and assigned no fault to Mr. Stimmel’s client.
Mr. Stimmel has also obtained numerous substantial settlements across a range of litigation matters.
Complex Litigation Experience
Before joining Varcadipane & Pinnisi, P.C., Mr. Stimmel practiced at several top-ranked law firms. There he handled significant civil litigation matters for both plaintiffs and defendants, including National Football League concussion claims and environmental contamination cases involving major chemical manufacturers. Throughout his career, he has represented clients ranging from individuals to large corporations in high-stakes, multi-million-dollar disputes.
His perspective on the courtroom was also shaped by a judicial clerkship in the New Jersey state trial court under the Honorable Michael Cresitello, Jr., and a federal judicial internship with the Honorable Esther Salas. He is admitted to practice in New Jersey, New York, and Colorado.
Professional Recognition
In addition to being named a Super Lawyers Rising Star in 2026 and 2027, Mr. Stimmel received the George G. Campion Award for Excellence from the Brennan Vanderbilt Trial Inn of Court, part of the American Inns of Court. He has also been named a Top 40 Under 40 Civil Trial Attorney by the National Trial Lawyers, an invitation-only organization recognizing outstanding young trial lawyers across the United States.
He is also bilingual in Spanish and regularly helps Spanish-speaking clients who need experienced legal representation.
About Rising Stars
Rising Stars recognizes exceptional lawyers who are 40 years old or younger, have practiced for 10 years or less, and have achieved a high level of peer recognition and professional accomplishment. Candidates are evaluated through peer nominations, independent research, and peer reviews.
About Varcadipane & Pinnisi, P.C.
Varcadipane & Pinnisi, P.C., provides a full range of personal injury, civil litigation, business, and real estate legal services. For more information, call 201-588-1500 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation. We serve clients throughout New York, New Jersey, and Florida, and have offices in Manhattan, Paramus, and Jacksonville.
The awards and accolades displayed on this website were issued to the attorneys or the entire law firm by the respective providers of these honors. Please note that no aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. A description of the Super Lawyers selection methodology can be found by clicking here.
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