Viola Joins Gordon Rees

Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani welcomed Roy F. Viola Jr. as a partner in Florham Park. He is part of a group including 11 other attorneys who previously practiced with Hawkins Parnell & Young. Viola joined the environmental and toxic tort, products and general liability, construction and commercial litigation practice groups. Viola has tried 35 jury trials across the country, and handles toxic tort, asbestos, talcum powder, contaminated food, environmental, and construction defect cases, the firm said. He has also been involved in the opioid litigation, representing wholesale pharmaceutical distributors in state and federal courts.  Ron Giller, managing partner of the New Jersey office, said in a statement that Viola's "broad experience in environmental and pharmaceutical litigation will be a tremendous asset to clients both in New Jersey and across the country." Viola was a combat officer in the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery before attending law school. He reentered active service as an Army Judge Advocate, where he served primarily as a trial counsel. In 1996, he was also named a special assistant U.S. attorney responsible for felony prosecutions on U.S. property. He was a Distinguished Military Graduate and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by the secretary of the Army. After leaving active duty, he entered private practice. He has been a featured speaker at conferences and CLEs including HarrisMartin and the American Society of Civil Engineers. He is admitted to practice in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. He earned his law degree from Rutgers University and his undergraduate degree from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania.