Our Firm

Peter J. De Frank is originally from Essex County, raised in Nutley, New Jersey. Since beginning his practice in 2008, Peter has worked and assisted on some of the largest civil verdicts/settlements in New Jersey. In 2009, Peter worked on three (3) of the top-twenty verdicts and settlements of 2009. Peter’s experience includes motor vehicle accidents, premises cases (slip & falls), trucking accidents, brain injury cases, and negligent security cases. 

In 2011 Peter became one of the youngest members of the very prestigious “Million Dollar Advocates Forum” after settling a pedestrian/motor vehicle accident case for $1,050,000 achieving this high honor prior to the age of thirty (30). Fewer than 1% of lawyers are members of this prestigious group.

Since that time, Peter has continued to achieve unparalleled results for his clients through trial and complex litigation cases.

Peter’s more recent verdicts include some of the largest verdicts in the State of New Jersey. In September of 2022, Peter obtained a verdict in the amount of $2,400,000 for a client with a herniated disc and several injections who was rear-ended in a motor vehicle accident. The insurance carrier defending the trial offered nothing prior to the trial and this matter is part one of the first cases in New Jersey requesting relief under the new “New Jersey Insurance Fair Conduct Act.” 

A second multi-million-dollar result came in September of 2022 for a special needs woman who fell on a dance floor in the amount of $4,550,000. The Defendant and insurance carrier also made no offer prior to trial, enlisting several attorneys work on the matter. This matter was co-counseled for trial with the law firm of Laddey, Clark and Ryan in Sparta.

Peter has been recognized through peer review with “New Jersey Super Lawyers,” each year since his third year in practice, as well as the “Top 40, Under 40.”

Peter is proud to have had numerous positive results for difficult and complex civil cases, many of which the insurance companies have made no offers to settle and other attorneys/law firms have rejected the case due to the level of difficulty. 

Attorney Peter J. De Frank has always practiced personal injury with a passion and considers each case to be a privilege. 

• Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
• New Jersey Association for Justice
• Bar Admissions: New Jersey, 12/2007; Connecticut, 1/2009; New York, 9/2009 

• Super Lawyers “Rising Star” 2013-2022
• Super Lawyers 2023
• Top 100 National Trial Lawyer
• Top 40 Under 40

• New Jersey Association for Justice Meadowlands Seminar + Boardwalk Seminar:  “Getting the Train on the Tracks”
• Connecticut Bar Foundation + Quinnipiac University Law's Speziale ADR Symposium: 2022

Quinnipiac University School of Law, Hamden, CT :: May, 2007

• Juris Doctor, cum laude – 3.2 G.P.A.; Class Rank – Top 31%
• Moot Court Honors Society; Top-10 Oralist, Gabrielli National Moot Court Competition

Jacksonville University, Jacksonville, FL :: May, 2004

• Bachelor of Science in Finance, cum laude – 3.63 G.P.A.
• 4.0 G.P.A. in Finance Courses
• Scholarship Athlete, Rowing
• 2004 Outstanding Student-Athlete of the Year
• 2004 Who’s Who Award, National Dean’s List 

Philip S. Tarr is an experienced, tenacious attorney in the firm's personal injury department.  He focuses in all aspects of personal injury law with a particular emphasis on premises liability (slip/trip and falls) and motor vehicle accidents.  Mr. Tarr also has expertise in workers compensation cases.  Phil takes pride in being involved in all aspects of his cases from initial consultation up to trial. 

Phil grew up in Leonia, New Jersey and attended Rutgers University/Cook College where he earned his B.S. in Environmental Science.  After working for several years in that field he continued his education receiving his Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall University.  Phil still lives in northern New Jersey where he resides with his wife and three children.  In his free time, you can find him fishing, kayaking, hiking and enjoying the outdoors with friends and family.

Prior to specializing in personal injury law, Phil represented both plaintiffs and defendants in complex tort matters including asbestos litigation, vaccine litigation, and consumer class actions.  Mr. Tarr was certified as class counsel in one of New Jersey’s largest class action settlements Cerbo v. Ford of Englewood.  

Working for both Plaintiffs and Defendants has afforded Phil with insight as to how defense firms approach and defend their cases.

Mr. Tarr has helped recover millions of dollars for injured persons.  He  is skilled in building solid relations with clients, while developing and executing file strategies based on each client's unique needs and circumstances.  

Attorney Philip S. Tarr looks forward to fighting for your best interest in order for you to secure a maximum award.

Seton Hall University School of Law, Newark, NJ

• Juris Doctor

Rutgers University

• Bachelor of Science