Welcome to my website. Through this Newsblog and the Photos section, I hope to keep my clients, colleagues, and friends of the firm updated with developments and activities both law-related and personal. This might include the latest courtroom escapades, a big jury verdict (hopefully), a few photos of my band playing a recent gig, a bike tour or other outside adventure, or a combination of all this stuff.
After a big win in 2007 (obtained a $3 million arbitration award for my client in a frozen-out shareholder lawsuit), 2008 started fresh out of the gates with a January trial in Morris County Superior Court.
I was defending a former shareholder of a corporation who was being sued personally for $500,000.00 on a guarantee and note he signed in favor of the parent company. After three days of trial, we settled the whole thing in Court for nuisance value. My client flew back to California with a new lease on his financial life.
Later in 2008 I was able to successfully defend an attorney named by his former law firm as a Defendant in a breach of contract and malpractice lawsuit. The result: no liability and the matter was dismissed.
I also lectured at an ethics/professional responsibility ICLE seminar for newly admitted attorneys. This was my fourth or fifth time presenting that seminar. Along with two other experienced practitioners, we gave the all day seminar at Seton Hall Law School in Newark, N.J.
In my opinion, our seminar was boring and I think we should probably allow the new attorneys to simply take the course on line or by video conferencing. Requiring them to appear in person is kind of an old idea and because they are not happy to be there, I have to wonder whether we are accomplishing our objective. I sent along that suggestion to the ICLE people. Maybe they’ll make that adjustment sometime in the future.
In 2008 (so far) I have handled quite a few attorney ethics proceedings. This included a rather serious matter where the Complainant sought disbarment against my client. Of course, that case required a ton of work (both from my client and me) because the stakes were so high. We needed to get the true facts before the hearing panel in order to carry the day. The preparation paid off and my client received only minor discipline. I have more ethics hearings for other attorneys scheduled later this year.
2008 also brought me employment cases, including sexual harassment (we obtained a substantial settlement on behalf of a Plaintiff) and breach of fiduciary duty/covenant not to compete claims, all of which were settled before trial. Commercial collection and breach of contract cases also resulted in judgments, a couple of bench trials, arbitrations and numerous court appearances throughout New Jersey.
On a lighter note, my rock & roll band “The Impostors” played gigs in March, April (Tavern Off the Green in Morristown, NJ), May (the Morris County Bar Association Beefsteak), June (my 5th annual Rock & Roll Extravaganza), July (Lawyers 5K Race in Morris Township, NJ) and private parties during the summer of 2008, and even a special 3 song set at a band mate’s daughter’s wedding in August (at the Madison Hotel in Convent Station, NJ). Our band has a few more gigs on tap for 2008, including the annual dinner dance for Josephine’s Place, a charity function (November 13th at Mayfair Farms, West Orange, NJ).
Well, as the busy season gets underway for the latter part of 2008 I am sure there will be many more cases, trials, and tribulations. I better get back to work.
As the old saying goes: work hard and play hard. Just remember to keep it in that order! Thanks for stopping by.
