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Biography
Mr. DePaolis retired from Koonz in late 2025 after more than 45 distinguished years as an attorney. During his career he represented a large number of individuals involved in automobile collisions, truck accidents, bus crashes, defective products, and medical malpractice cases. By providing free consultations to those who may found themselves in difficult situations, he helped make individuals and families aware of their rights. He always discussed whether prospective clients had recourse to hold the responsible party accountable for their actions.
Mr. DePaolis successfully handled claims involving WMATA bus collisions as well as subway accidents. From smaller car accidents to devastating collisions between semi-trucks and passenger vehicles, his knowledge working in these fields benefit tens of thousands of people. Having Mr. DePaolis on your side ensured that your case received the support it needed to obtain a just result.
He also represented victims of medical malpractice involving negligent care from doctors, hospitals, clinics and nursing homes. Mr. DePaolis also handled many cases involving traumatic brain injuries arising from car accidents as well as workers compensation accidents.
A significant portion of Mr. DePaolis’ practice was devoted to working on behalf of people suffering from asbestosis, mesothelioma and other asbestos-related cancers. He led his firm’s fight against the asbestos industry and has recovered over $30 million in damages for asbestos victims and their families. Early in his career, Mr. DePaolis won a landmark decision in Wilson v. Johns Manville, which established the right of asbestos victims to file two separate claims: one for asbestosis and the other for a subsequently diagnosed mesothelioma or asbestos-induced cancers. The Wilson decision has been followed by courts throughout the country and has led to successful recoveries for thousands of victims of asbestos diseases.
Mr. DePaolis was born in Hartford, CT, and graduated as Phi Beta Kappa Scholar from Lafayette College in 1971. He served for two years as a Lieutenant in the United States Army from 1971-1973. After discharge from active duty, he attended the George Washington University Law Center where he graduated in 1976, having received recognition as an Order of the Coif Scholar. Mr. DePaolis is active in a number of civic associations in the Northern Virginia area and has coached his children in the West Springfield Little League, Burke Soccer Club and Burke Athletic Club for more than 20 years. He is married to Karen Crist DePaolis and has four children.