New Jersey

The law firm of Norris McLaughlin, P.A., will be hosting “Now You Know –  Marijuana Legalization Youth Workshop,” Thursday, February 28, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m., for Visions and Pathways youth. Visions and Pathways was the first nonprofit, privately run youth shelter in New Jersey, whose mission is to “provide abused, neglected and homeless youth with housing, a stable environment, and supportive services that guide them in becoming self sufficient.”

“We truly appreciate that Norris McLaughlin agreed to host this important workshop. Working with NM, PG Health, and our other partners has been fantastic! Visions and Pathways’ goal is to prevent drug misuse by educating our youth. There is a lot of interest in the possible legalization of adult recreational use of marijuana – it is a provocative topic. But, if legalization occurs, it is important for youth to learn how the new laws impact them and to know that underage use is still unlawful. Bottom-line, we want to keep our kids drug free and we don’t want our kids in juvenile detention or jail,” said David Walker, CEO and Executive Director of Visions and Pathways.

The first of four workshops to take place in Northern and Central New Jersey, the event will feature four 20-minute sessions addressing the cannabis industry, medicinal benefits of cannabis, potential career paths, and the consequences of misuse. The discussion will be led by Faye Coleman, CEO of PG Health, and feature eight panelists including; Leo Bridgewater, Co-founder of NJ Cannabis Commission; Cherron Perry Thomas, Director of Social Impact for Daco; Hope Wiseman, Dispensary Owner; Sgt. John Walker United States Air Force; Dasheeda Dawson, Founder, CEO, and President of MJM Strategy; Former Deputy Commissioner Cathy Starghill of the NJ Department of Labor; and Keya C. Denner of Norris McLaughlin.

Posted in: Cannabis Law, News | Tags: Cannabis Attorney, cannabis law, Cannabis Workshop, Cathy Starghill, Cherron Perry Thomas, Daco, Dasheeda Dawson, David Walker, Faye Coleman, Hope Wiseman, Leo Bridgewater, Marijuana Legalization, New Jersey, New Jersey Lawyers, NJ Cannabis Commission, NJ Department of Labor, Visions and Pathways

Shana Siegel, a Member of law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., will speak at the ALS Support Group meetings for Northern and Central New Jersey this month. Hosted by the ALS Association Greater New York Chapter, the support group is a safe and confidential space where people with ALS, as well as their family, friends, and caregivers are welcome to share their thoughts and feelings and receive emotional and practical support to help them cope.

The Northern NJ Support Group will meet Thursday, February 7, 7 – 8 p.m., at the Kessler Institute of Rehabilitation in Saddlebrook. The Central NJ Support Group will meet Saturday, February 16, 1:30 – 3:30 p.m., at the Robert Wood Johnson Fitness & Wellness Center in New Brunswick. Siegel’s topics will include understanding special needs trusts, Medicaid, and paying for care. For more information, please click here.

Siegel concentrates her practice in the area of Elder Law, focusing on representing seniors, individuals with special needs, and their families in connection with life care planning, public benefits, trust and estate planning, and long-term care advocacy. As one of the few Certified Elder Law Attorneys (CELA) in northern New Jersey to be certified by the National Elder Law Foundation (NELF), Shana has extensive experience in probate and estate administration, asset preservation, supplemental and special needs trusts, planning for disability, guardianship and estate litigation, resident rights, health care decision making, Medicare, Medicaid, and health insurance appeals.

Prior to joining Norris McLaughlin, Shana was with WanderPolo & Siegel for over 10 years, five of which were as principal.  She has been involved in health and long-term care issues for over 25 years. She is a past president of the New Jersey Chapter of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), where she regularly met with legislators and government officials on behaf of the elder law bar and their clients. In 2015, she was invited to join NAELA’s prestigious Council of Advanced Practitioners (CAP).

Siegel earned her J.D. from Georgetown University, honors, in 1994 and her B.A. from Barnard College, honors, in 1989. She is a member of the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association, the State Bar Elder Law Section, and the Life Care Planning Law Firms Association.

Posted in: Elder Care & Special Needs Law, News, Shana Siegel | Tags: ALS, ALS Association, ALS Association Greater New York Chapter, Caregivers, Central NJ, Medicaid, New Jersey, Northern NJ, Shana Siegel, Special Needs Trusts, Support Group

Martha N. Donovan, a Member of the law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., and Co-Chair of its Environmental Practice Group, will be co-moderator for “Environmental Law for Attorneys and LSRPs,” hosted by Rutgers. This interactive program will provide the latest information on the current environmental landscape and opportunities as they relate to site remediation. Jeffrey M. Casaletto, also a Member of the firm, will speak on the Site Remediation Reform Act and the Licensed Site Remediation Professional program.

The seminar will be held 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 20, at the Trayes Hall – Douglass Student Center in New Brunswick. For more information and to register, please click here. Contact Pamela Springard-Meyer, Program Coordinator, Rutgers Office of Continuing Professional Education, at (848) 932-7463 with any questions.

A resident of West Windsor, Donovan devotes her practice to environmental law and complex litigation with an emphasis on the defense of environmental property damage claims.  She also has considerable experience working on related insurance coverage matters.

Donovan has represented clients in administrative and judicial proceedings before state and federal courts and agencies, including the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and the Environmental Protection Agency.  She regularly counsels clients on a variety of environmental issues, including ISRA compliance, lender liability, underground storage tank laws, and permits and approvals for hazardous waste storage, transportation and disposal.  She has litigated matters relating to the generation, storage, discharge or release of hazardous substances, including representation under CERCLA/ Superfund, and has defended actions filed by adjoining, predecessor, and successor property owners alleging physical injuries, damages, or lost property values.

Donovan has authored articles and has made presentations to various trade groups and associations on issues ranging from lender liability under Superfund to the availability of insurance coverage for various aspects of business-related accidents.

Donovan is a member of the New Jersey State and American Bar Associations and the Society of Women Environmental Professionals.  She earned her J.D. from the University of Virginia School of Law and her B.A. in Chemistry from Randolph-Macon Woman’s College, now Randolph College. She has been selected for inclusion on the list of Super Lawyers and Best Lawyers for many years and is ranked as Band 1 in Chambers.

A resident of Raritan Township, Casaletto concentrates his practice on environmental law.  He represents and counsels clients in a wide range of industries, including commercial and residential developers, chemical and industrial manufacturers, and commercial business owners.  He maintains a results-oriented approach to each environmental issue to achieve the client’s goals and objectives.  Casaletto assists clients in resolving issues related to site remediation, due diligence, solid and hazardous waste disposal, solid waste utilities, regulatory compliance, permitting, Brownfields redevelopment, and cleanup cost recovery.  He also has experience handling matters involving CERCLA, RCRA, EPCRA, and OPA.  He has negotiated removal orders, EPCRA/OPA settlements, and cost recovery for removal and remedial actions.

Casaletto regularly speaks and presents at courses and events used for training Licensed Site Remediation Professionals and environmental consultants.

Prior to joining Norris McLaughlin, Casaletto was Assistant Regional Counsel and the 2002 Michael F. Vaccaro Honors Fellowship Attorney at the U.S. EPA Region III, where he focused on Superfund matters.  Before that, he was a judiciary law clerk for the Honorable Vincent LeBlon and the Honorable Dennis V. Nieves in Middlesex County, New Jersey.  While attending law school, he was a legal intern at the Pace Environmental Litigation Clinic and at the Environmental Defense Section of the U.S. Department of Justice, Environment and Natural Resources Division.

Casaletto served as an elected councilman for the Borough of Stockton.  During his term, he was appointed by Mayor Stephen Giocondo to the Stockton Planning Board as Council Liaison and to several committees for the community of Stockton, including finance, personnel, and water and sewer.

Casaletto earned his J.D. from The Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, formerly known as Pace Law School, cum laude, and his M. Eng. degree in Environmental Engineering and B.S. in Civil Engineering from The Pennsylvania State University.

Posted in: Environmental, Jeffrey M. Casaletto, Martha N. Donovan, News | Tags: CLE, Environmental Attorney, environmental law, Jeffrey Casaletto, Licensed Site Remediation Professional Program, LSRP, Martha Donovan, New Jersey, Rutgers, seminar, Site Remediation

Danielle M. DeFilippis, a Member of law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., will present the webinar “Essential Contracts for Growing Food Businesses.” Hosted by the New Jersey Food Processors Association, the presentation will cover key topics including licenses and agreements for intellectual property, confidentiality, website terms of use and privacy policies, indemnity, and co-packer agreements.

The webinar will begin at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, January 23, on www.njfoodprocessors.org. An open Q&A will follow the presentation for any participants who would like more insight into their pressing questions. For more information and to register, click here.

DeFilippis focuses her practice on intellectual property matters and litigation.  She represents individual and corporate clients in all phases of litigation, from commencement through trial, and regularly serves as lead counsel in cases before federal and state courts, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and alternative resolution forums.  DeFilippis has handled cases involving trademark and copyright infringement, false advertising, commercial disparagement, business torts, deceptive trade practices, Lanham Act claims, state and federal unfair competition laws, and other business disputes.  She is an author for Norris McLaughlin’s trademark, copyright, and unfair competition blog, More Than Your Mark, www.morethanyourmark.com.  DeFilippis received her J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law and her B.A. from The Pennsylvania State University.

Posted in: Danielle M. DeFilippis, Food & Beverage Law, Intellectual Property, News | Tags: co-packer agreements, confidentiality, contract law, food and beverage, Food Business, indemnity, Intellectual Property, Intellectual Property Attorney, Intellectual Property Law, licensing, New Jersey, New Jersey Food Processors Association, privacy policies, website terms of use

The law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., has named Brian C. Anscomb and Abbey M. Horwitz Members of the firm, effective January 1, 2019.

“It is our great pleasure to have Brian and Abbey as Members of Norris McLaughlin.  With membership, we recognize their talent, professionalism, loyalty, and dedicated service to the firm, our clients, their colleagues, and the surrounding communities,” said John N. Vanarthos, Chairman of the firm.

Anscomb has been an Associate in the firm’s New York office since 2008, focuses his practice on intellectual property legal matters with an emphasis on intellectual property prosecution.  He has significant experience in patent application preparation and prosecution, including design and utility applications, international applications, appeals, reissues, and reexaminations, along with patent analysis and opinion work.  Anscomb also oversees prosecution of patent applications in numerous foreign jurisdictions including Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Egypt, the Eurasian Patent Organization, the Europe Union, Finland, Great Britain, Japan, Mexico, Norway, Peru, the Russian Federation, South Africa, South Korea, United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela.

His technical fields include chemical, electrical, electronic, mechanical, metallurgical and software arts, chemical and fluid compositions, electromechanical and mechanical devices, dental and medical devices, heavy machinery, materials science, internet business methods, and manufacturing and control systems, techniques, and processes.  In his spare time, Anscomb focuses on emerging technologies, such as additive manufacturing and 3D printing, artificial intelligence, and blockchain and the potential convergence of these technologies.

Anscomb earned his J.D. from DePaul University College of Law and his B.S. from Central Michigan University.

Horwitz has been an Associate in the firm’s New Jersey office since 2012, practicing primarily in estate planning and administration.  She is experienced in preparing wills, revocable and irrevocable trusts, durable powers of attorney, advance directives for health care, and other estate planning documents.  She is also experienced in administering estates and trusts, including counseling executors and trustees; preparing estate, trust, and guardianship pleadings; preparing estate and trust accounting; preparing estate tax returns; handling estate tax audits; and preparing releases and waivers for distributions from estates and trusts.  As a parent of a child with special needs, Horwitz is also uniquely qualified to relate to and advise clients with planning for their special needs child, preparing special needs trusts and other estate planning documents that are available to clients in planning for their children’s futures.  She is an active volunteer with P.G. Chambers School in Cedar Knolls, serving on the Development Committee and the Board of Trustees.

Additionally, Horwitz has experience preparing corporate and LLC filings, including certificates of incorporation, articles of organization, bylaws, operating agreements, and IRC 501(c)(3) filings.

Horwitz earned her J.D. from New York Law School, where she received the Carbonell Fellowship in Law and Policy, in 2006; her B.A. from Washington University in St. Louis in 2000; and her LL.M. in Taxation from Villanova University in 2018.

Posted in: Abbey M. Horwitz, Brian C. Anscomb, News | Tags: Abbey Horwitz, Brian Anscomb, New Jersey, New Jersey Attorney, New York, New York Attorney, Norris McLaughlin

Annmarie Simeone, a Member of law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., will be a co-presenter discussing “All About Ethics Complaints: What Lawyers Need to Know” for the Middlesex County Bar Association (MCBA).  The seminar, approved for 1.5 hours of Ethics/Professionalism CLE credit, will be held at 12:15 PM on Friday, December 14, at the MCBA office in New Brunswick.

The seminar, Simeone will cover a variety of topics related to understanding the attorney ethics grievance process, including the procedures followed in that process, defending yourself once the grievance is filed, possible outcomes, the appeals process, and avoiding situations that commonly trigger ethics complaints. For more information and to register, visit the MCBA website.

Simeone concentrates her practice on labor and employment counseling and litigation.  She primarily defends management in claims made by employees under state and federal employment laws, including whistleblower claims and claims alleging harassment and discrimination based on race, gender, religion, national origin, and disability.  Simeone’s work includes the defense of corporations, as well as individual officers, directors, and employees, addressing issues unique to small businesses, and challenges faced by larger companies.  She also provides advice and counseling to human resource professionals and in-house counsel on employment issues including employee leaves of absence, workplace investigations, employee discipline, and layoff and termination issues, including the negotiation and design of severance agreements.  Simeone drafts employee handbooks and employment-related policies and procedures and has significant experience protecting businesses from liability by conducting training for supervisors and employees.

Simeone, Immediate Past President of the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association (NJWLA), received her J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1993, and her B.A., summa cum laude, from St. John’s University in 1990.  In 2013, she was named Outstanding Woman in Somerset County in the area of Law by the Somerset County Commission on the Status of Women; in 2016, she received the Professional Lawyer of the Year Award from the New Jersey Commission on Professionalism in the Law on behalf of the NJWLA; and in 2018, she received the Presidential Leadership Award from the NJWLA.

Posted in: Annmarie Simeone, News | Tags: Annmarie Simeone, attorney, CLE, CLE credit, ethics, lawyer, MCBA, Middlesex County Bar Association, New Jersey, New Jersey Attorney, New Jersey Law, New Jersey lawyer

The law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A., is pleased to welcome Doris Cheung as an Associate.  She joins the firm’s Litigation Practice Group, concentrating in the area of complex insurance fraud and healthcare litigation with an emphasis on Anti-Kickback Laws, Anti-Money Laundering, and Improper Licensing Regulations.

Cheung has experience drafting pleadings, motions, petitions, interrogatories, and trial materials for cases defending private and public entities in employment law and education matters in state and federal court, including employment discrimination, retaliation, School Ethics Commission matters, and special education cases before the Office of Administrative Law.

Cheung has extensive experience in drafting pleadings, discovery motions, dispositive motions, and appellate briefs, and conducting depositions of key defendants and fact witnesses.  She is adept in effective case management through the use of specialized legal technology.

Prior to joining Norris McLaughlin, Cheung was a litigation associate for a firm specializing in plaintiffs’ work on behalf of a Fortune 100 insurance company.  She was a member of a trial litigation team that recovered $10 million in damages in favor of their client in a bench trial.  Cheung was instrumental in preventing her adversary from dissipating $3 million in assets during litigation through the pursuit of a Uniform Fraudulent Transfer Act claim.  Doris has also written summary judgement motions that resulted in a $3 million settlement in favor of her client.

Cheung earned her J.D. in 2011 from Rutgers University School of Law—Newark and her B.S. from Cornell University.  During law school, Doris served as a clinical student in the Child Advocacy Clinic and the Urban Legal Clinic, where she represented, counseled, and provided post-dispositional representation for juvenile clients. She also served as a law clerk at Legal Services of New Jersey, assisting counsel in legal research and community outreach for low-income residents of the state.  After graduating, she clerked for the Honorable Judge Kathryn A. Brock, J.S.C., of the Union County Superior Court in the Family Division.

Posted in: Doris Cheung, Litigation, News | Tags: Doris Cheung, Litigation, litigation associate, Litigation Lawyer, New Jersey, New Jersey Attorney, New Jersey Law, New Jersey lawyer

Raymond G. Lahoud, a Member of law firm Norris McLaughlin, P.A.,  and Chair of its Immigration Practice Group, will present “The (Hidden) Lucrative Intersections of Immigration Law and the Real Estate Industry” at the Triple Play REALTOR® Convention & Trade Expo on Wednesday, December 5, 9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m., at the Atlantic City Convention Center in Atlantic City, NJ.

Lahoud will cover the intersections of immigration with residential and commercial real estate transactions, including those involving documented and undocumented immigrants, temporary foreign employees, and international students; foreign corporations seeking to open a location in the United States or considering a complete relocation of company and employees; and residential and commercial property developers seeking alternative, low-cost project financing. Richard B. Somach, also a Member Norris McLaughlin, P.A., will be Master of Ceremonies for this presentation.

Triple Play is a tri-state convention with 8,000 realtors attending over a three-day period, December 3-6. Triple Play attracts thousands of realtors, brokers, appraisers, and other real estate professionals to the largest real estate convention and trade show of its kind in the U.S. Participants travel from coast-to-coast to learn about the newest and most exciting developments in real estate products and services.

Lahoud focuses his practice exclusively on immigration law and deportation defense for individuals, families, small to large domestic and multinational businesses and corporations, employers, international employees, investors, students, professors, researchers, skilled professionals, athletes, and entertainers, in every type of immigration or deportation defense matter—whether domestic or foreign. His immigration practice is broad, ranging from areas of corporate and employment immigration and related compliance to immigration litigation before agencies and courts across the United States, for corporations and individuals alike.  His experience includes immigrant and non-immigrant visas, visa overstays, immigrants who entered without inspection or authorization, EB-5 investor visas (serving investors, regional centers, and project developers), citizenship and naturalization claims, deportation and removal litigation at the immigration court and all appellate levels, E Visas, E-3 Visas, H-1B Visas, H-2B Visas, L Visas, O Visas, P Visas, Q Visas, R Visas, TN Visas, Exceptional Ability Immigrant Visas, Extraordinary Ability Immigrant Visas, Physician and Nursing Visas, K-1 Visas, K-3 Visas, Multinational Manager/Executive Immigrant Visas, Outstanding Professor/Researcher Immigrant Visas, PERM Labor Certification, Family Petitions, Adjustment of Status, Marriage Petitions, Asylum, VAWA applications, and Immigration Waivers, such as the Visa Waiver Program, National Interest Waivers, Hardship Waivers, and J Waivers. Lahoud received his B.A., English, summa cum laude from Lehigh University in 2006 and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center in 2009

Somach focuses his practice on real estate, commercial law, and creditors’ remedies, representing real estate development companies, shopping centers, and local banks. He has represented real estate owners, developers, and investors in a broad range of real estate transactions, including zoning matters, residential subdivisions, and shopping center development. As a licensed title insurance agent, Somach is President of the title insurance and settlement company ABE Settlement Services. He currently serves as legal counsel to the Lehigh Valley Association of REALTORS®. He also serves as Assistant Lehigh County Solicitor, advising the Sheriff’s Office, the Tax Assessment Office, and the Tax Claim Bureau, and frequently writes and lectures on real estate matters, sheriff’s sales, and real estate tax sales. He has presented two lectures on mortgage foreclosures at the annual Real Estate Institute Program, “Issues in Commercial Mortgage Foreclosure” and “Issues in Residential Mortgage Foreclosure.” He received his B.A., with honors, in 1971 from Lehigh University and his J.D. in 1974 from Hofstra University Law School.

Posted in: Immigration, News, Raymond G. Lahoud, Real Estate & Finance, Richard B. Somach | Tags: Atlantic City, commercial, EB-5, Immigration, New Jersey, Ray Lahoud, real estate, residential, Rich Somach, Triple Play, Triple Play Realtor Convention & Trade Expo

On May 2, 2018, Governor Murphy signed into law the New Jersey Earned Sick and Safe Day Act, more commonly referred to as the New Jersey Paid Sick Leave Act.  This new law goes into effect on October 29, 2018 and applies to all New Jersey employers, regardless of size.   New Jersey employers need to familiarize themselves with the requirements of the Paid Sick Leave Act and review their paid time off policies to get ahead of this fast approaching deadline.

Norris McLaughlin is pleased to present a one-hour briefing on the Paid Sick Leave Act.  The briefing will provide a complete overview of the law, along with an analysis of the steps employers must take to come into compliance. CLE, HRCI, and SHRM credits are available.

Patrick T. Collins, Norris McLaughlin, P.A.—Pat is Chair of the firm’s Labor & Employment Group. He practices labor, employment and personnel law on behalf of employers and management personnel. He is experienced in all areas of litigation in both federal and state courts, defending discrimination and sexual harassment claims; wrongful discharge and whistleblower suits; and claims brought under the Americans With Disabilities Act, the Family and Medical Leave Act, and the multitude of other civil rights and anti-discrimination laws.

This seminar will take place Monday, October 22, at our office in Bridgewater, New Jersey.

Breakfast Session

Registration & Breakfast 8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Program 9:00 – 10:00 a.m.
Questions & Answers 10:00 – 10:30 a.m.

To register, please click here.

Posted in: Events, Executive Compensation and Employee Benefits, Labor & Employment, Patrick T. Collins | Tags: employee, employers, Governor Murphy, New Jersey, New Jersey Paid Sick Leave Act, Paid Time Off Policies, Pat Collins, Patrick Collins

Norris McLaughlin, P.A., is pleased to present an educational seminar for business owners addressing legal elements that may have been overlooked when you started your business. Now that your company has grown and become more successful, it is essential that you focus on legal issues that can impact your business or create opportunities.

Topics and speakers include:

• Financing options beyond family and friends – Oren M. Chaplin
• Employee handbooks and confidentiality agreements – Patrick T. Collins
• Creating equity incentives for key employees – Victor S. Elgort
• Updating or implementing key organic documents and transaction documents – John P. Maloney
• Maximizing tax benefits from the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act – Naya K. Pearlman

The program will be moderated by James H. Laskey.

This seminar will take place Wednesday, October 10, at our office in Bridgewater, New Jersey.

Registration & Breakfast 8:30 – 9:00 a.m.
Program 9:00 – 11:00 a.m.

For registration information, please click here.

Posted in: Business Law, Events, James H. Laskey, John P. Maloney, Labor & Employment, Naya K. Pearlman, Oren M. Chaplin, Patrick T. Collins, Taxation, Victor S. Elgort | Tags: Business Development, Business Law, business owners, Employee Handbooks, financing, James Laskey, John Maloney, legal issues, Naya Pearlman, New Jersey, Oren Chaplin, Pat Collins, Tax Cuts and Jobs Acts, Victor Elgort