Barry M. Klayman joined the firm’s Wilmington office in April 2009 as a member in the Commercial Litigation Department. He is also a member of the Bankruptcy, Insolvency, and Restructuring Practice group. He concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial litigation, fiduciary and corporate governance, bankruptcy, toxic tort and products liability, and civil rights litigation.
Barry has extensive jury trial experience in Pennsylvania and Delaware, and has handled numerous jury trial cases, including a case that was reputed at the time to be the longest civil jury trial in Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas history. He represents clients in many industries, including manufacturing, environmental services, financial and professional services, software manufacturers, publishers, retailers, real estate developers, and real estate brokers.
Barry has been involved in litigation involving corporate governance issues representing corporations, directors, officers, shareholders, and other stakeholders, and also advises clients on implementing policies and mechanisms to ensure compliance with best practices. He represents debtors, trustees, and creditors in adversary actions in bankruptcy court, particularly in prosecuting and defending preference actions and D&O liability claims. He has also advised creditors concerning their rights and remedies in bankruptcy court. Barry has represented employers and manufacturers in cases dealing with personal injury claims due to exposures to asbestos, benzene, lead and other heavy metals, PCB, solvents, and other hazardous substances. He has also litigated several cases in the Delaware Valley that deal with civil rights issues, including the rights of persons with physical and mental disabilities.
Barry serves on the board of directors of the Jack M. Barrack Hebrew Academy (formerly Akiba Hebrew Academy) in Radnor, Pa. He was president of the school from 2000 to 2003. He formerly served as a member of the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia’s Committee on Policy, Strategy, and Funding and chaired the Committee on National and Overseas Services. Until May 2009, he served on the board of directors of BBYO, Inc., and its predecessor, the B'nai B'rith International Youth Commission. He was chairman and a member of the board of directors of the Philadelphia Region B'nai B'rith Youth Organization.
Barry earned his undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from Columbia University and his law degree, cum laude, from Harvard Law School.
