Robert E. Demeusy

Associate

    Robert is a member of the Casualty Department where he focuses his practice on representing clients in the areas of product liability, labor law, education law and toxic tort. Robert manages a voluminous caseload from inception through resolution by handling all aspects of case management including discovery, witness depositions, retention of experts and investigators, motion practice, settlement negotiation and trial, providing constant communication directly to clients and insurers. 

    Prior to joining Marshall Dennehey, Robert worked for two national litigation firms, specializing in product liability and toxic tort defense.

    Robert earned his juris doctor from Fordham University School of Law in 2015. At Fordham, he was a member of the Fordham Journal of Corporate & Financial Law and was also a member of the Fordham Sports Law Forum. While attending law school, he gained valuable experience working as an intern at the Brooklyn District Attorney's Office and at a civil litigation firm. In 2012, Robert earned his Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Miami, with concentrations in Legal Studies and Sports Administration. He is a member of the American Bar Association, New York Bar Association and licensed to practice law in the State of New York.
     

    Significant Representative Matters

    Obtained a unanimous defense verdict after a nine week trial in Suffolk County, New York, where the plaintiff’s counsel requested that the jury award $40 million in damages.  The plaintiff was 51 years old when she was diagnosed with peritoneal mesothelioma allegedly as a result of being exposed to asbestos containing joint compound manufactured and sold by our client. Plaintiff who was 56 at the time of trial, testified that she had little or no knowledge of ever being exposed to asbestos. However, her older sister, who served as the only product identification witness at trial, testified that she recalled that their father used asbestos containing joint compound on two occasions, approximately fifty years ago when he repaired their home after a fire in 1970 and when he built a home in Florida around 1975. Plaintiff was five and ten years old respectively during the alleged exposures and plaintiff’s sister was seven years older. Plaintiff’s sister testified that she had a vivid memory of her father using six different joint compounds during the two projects, including our client’s product. She also testified that the plaintiff was present hundreds of times when their father mixed, applied and sanded the joint compound. At trial, we called an industrial hygienist, a toxicologist and an epidemiologist who testified that the type of asbestos fiber used in our client’s joint compound did not cause or contribute to her mesothelioma, because the fibers are too short and do not cause disease. Our epidemiologist testified that plaintiff’s mesothelioma developed spontaneously and was not the result of asbestos exposure. We also called a construction expert, who testified that the sister’s testimony regarding the amount of joint compound used and the time the sister was exposed were excessive. The jury deliberated an hour before returning the verdict. Post-trial comments from jurors indicated they did not find the sister to be credible.

    Admissions
    New York
    2016
    U.S. District Court Eastern District of New York
    U.S. District Court Southern District of New York
    Education
    Fordham University School of Law (J.D., 2015)
    University of Miami (B.S.B.A., 2012)
    Honors & awards
    The Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch©, Mass Tort Litigation/Class Actions – Defendants and Product Liability Litigation – Defendants
    2024
    New York Metro Super Lawyers Rising Star
    2020-2023
    Associations & memberships
    American Bar Association
    New York Bar Association
    Year joined
    2021