Insights

Last updated March 27, 2020  

Last updated March 27, 2020  

Thomas J. Trautner will participate in the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education's (NJICLE) 2020 Land Use Update webcast. The program, beginning at 9:00 am on March 25, 2020, will review the most recent regulatory, legislative, and case law developments that every seasoned land use practitioner should know – covering topics including affordable housing, zoning ordinances, attorney ethics and more.   

Lisa John-Basta will be speaking at an upcoming Real Estate Market Forecast hosted by the Newark Regional Business Partnership on March 5. This program will discuss the transformations that have positively impacted the city of Newark along with its residents.  

Thomas Trautner will be moderating the Urban Land Institute Northern New Jersey’s Development 360 program on February 27. Joining him in a discussion around the disposition aspect of the real estate development process will be Cushman and Wakefield’s Andrew Merin and PGIM Real Estate’s Lynn deCastro.  

Ronald L. Tobia was featured in a NJBIZ story titled, "Avoid picket lines," discussing measures that business owners should take if and when employees decide to form a union. "Continue to focus on running the business," he advises. And if employees do end up organizing, owners should "focus on negotiating a sound, balanced contract" and "treat contract negotiations the same way same they approach a business deal. Don't get fearful or emotional."  

Following her arrival to CSG, Lisa R. Barata sat with ROI-NJ for a wide-ranging interview discussing her move to the firm, the state of liquor licensing in New Jersey and how she plans on assisting the business community in navigating the regulatory environment surrounding the manufacture, wholesale distribution and retail sale of alcoholic beverages.   

An appellate court ruled last week that a legal malpractice case which has its roots in a 2003 family law case could not be dismissed based on the statute of limitations. Plaintiff alleged her matrimonial attorney gave her bad advice- that her term alimony of nine years could be extended at the end of the term. When she made that request, it was denied and then she lost her appeal of the trial court's denial.

In fiscal year 2019, the U.S. Department of Labor's Occupational Safety and Health Administration ("OSHA") conducted 33,401 more inspections than in the previous three years, which includes a notable increase in chemical exposure cases.

The New Jersey Supreme Court will hear a case with interesting implications for lawyers in private firms who are conscripted to represent indigent litigants. The Office of the Public Defender, through the staff attorneys and assigned ("pool") attorneys, provide indigent criminal defendants with representation. Legislation has expanded their arena to include parents who are targets in termination of parental rights cases. A wrongfully convicted defendant is suing his former Public Defender in Case: A-69-18, Antonio Chaparro Nieves v. Office of the Public Defender,