GlobeSt.com - New Jersey

NJ Judge Blocks Attempt to Paint Verification Texts as TCPA Violations

Fri, 22 May 2026 13:07:42 EST

The ruling against food delivery startup Wonder Inc. closes the door on attempts to expand the Telephone Consumer Protection Act to cover verification texts.

Appellate Division Ruling Provides Opportunity to Clarify 'Atalese' Application

Fri, 22 May 2026 11:15:49 EST

Since Atalese, state and federal courts in New Jersey have taken a variety of positions regarding whether, and to what extent, its waiver requirement extends beyond its facts and contracts of adhesion.

People in the News—May 22, 2026—Nicolson, Gawthrop Greenwood

Fri, 22 May 2026 10:59:59 EST

The Nicolson Law Group announced the appointment of firm partner, Alexander Levin, to the Manasquan board of education in Monmouth County New Jersey.

NJDOL ABC Rule Adoption Spells Trouble for NJ Companies Using an Independent Contractor Model

Fri, 22 May 2026 09:59:59 EST

This rule now gives labor enforcement officials the strongest hammer yet to nail employers who skirt the W2 model.

NJ's Bar Exam Passage Rate Takes a Plunge in 2026

Thu, 21 May 2026 17:16:16 EST

The February exam was held just as the state was digging out from a blizzard that brought three feet of accumulation. Some observers posting on Reddit think the weather had an impact on bar exam scores.

Connell Foley Partner Stresses Rule of Law as Her Judicial Confirmation Clears Key Senate Committee

Thu, 21 May 2026 14:56:17 EST

If confirmed, Molly Hurley Kellett will be Gov. Mikie Sherrill's first judicial nomination since taking office on Jan. 20.

Grounded: Passport Revocation & Child Support Enforcement in High-Net-Worth New Jersey Divorce Cases

Thu, 21 May 2026 10:29:59 EST

The State Department's enforcement initiative marks a significant shift in how child support arrearages can affect high-income obligors. In New Jersey, the impact is especially immediate.

Are Labor Boards Going Too Far? SCOTUS Asked to Weigh Adversarial Role

Wed, 20 May 2026 16:33:14 EST

When state labor agencies appear "on the other side of the 'V' ... it takes away their neutrality and impartiality as a decision-maker, and now they've converted themselves, in essence, from what should be a neutral, impartial arbiter into an actual advocate on the other side of the case," Anthony Holtzman of The Fairness Center claimed.

Greenberg Traurig Taps NJ DEP Commissioner to Build Out Environmental Practice

Wed, 20 May 2026 00:59:43 EST

“A new generation of electric-generating facilities needs to be built in New Jersey. It needs to be done the right way. And so, we need to make sure that the clients who need us have access to folks like me and my colleagues who can provide that expert-level guidance, Shawn M. LaTourette told Law.com.

From Custody to the Classroom: A First-of-Its-Kind Journey into Legal Education

Wed, 20 May 2026 10:59:59 EST

At the time he begins his legal education, Pantusco remains an incarcerated individual under the custody of the New Jersey Department of Corrections, placed in a Residential Community Reintegration Program. Though physically present in the community, he is still legally an inmate serving his sentence under what the law recognizes as constructive custody.

NJ Justices Hear Split Opinions Over Proposed Amendments to Expert Testimony Rules

Tue, 19 May 2026 16:56:21 EST

“The rule change would pull the federal jurisprudence into the state law. I don't think that clarifies or simplifies—that brings in a whole area of federal jurisprudence into New Jersey.

Litigation Risk: MEPs Touted as Cost-Efficient, but Class Actions Suggest Otherwise

Tue, 19 May 2026 15:38:37 EST

An MEP is different from a single-employer 401(k), where identifying the fiduciary is more straightforward. Such fragmentation creates ambiguity—and ambiguity tends to generate litigation.

New Jersey Won the World Cup Final. But Did the Public Win the Deal?

Tue, 19 May 2026 13:02:05 EST

New Jersey taxpayers are not simply hosting soccer matches. They are helping support a massive international commercial enterprise that will require extraordinary public resources.

Rule Banning Attorney-Client Sex May Cause Confusion, NJ Bar President Tells Justices

Mon, 18 May 2026 14:27:08 EST

“Who's the client? When does representation begin and end? Who's in a litigation control group?' Again, you could be at a big firm with a million moving parts and you could have a lot of big, institutional clients and sometimes, those lines blur when you have a relationship and you're not completely clear, bar president Norberto A. Garcia said during a New Jersey Supreme Court rules hearing on Monday.

What New Jersey Law Really Promises Injured Workers and How to Make Sure Those Promises Are Kept

Mon, 18 May 2026 09:59:59 EST

The gap between what the law provides and how it operates is where representation becomes critical. An experienced attorney can help an injured worker challenge improper denials of medical care, secure wage benefits that should have been paid from the outset, and negotiate fair evaluations of permanent injury.

Outsmarting AI-Era Fraud: An Essential Playbook for Scam-Savvy Seniors

Fri, 15 May 2026 15:50:55 EST

For many retirees and older adults, the threat is not just technology. It is the near-perfect mirror image of credibility.

Rabner's State of Judiciary Address Reflects on Newly Installed Judges, AI

Fri, 15 May 2026 13:07:55 EST

New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner commented on the increasing dangers for judges, commended the resolution of an abundance of judicial vacancies in the past year and discussed the impact of artificial intelligence on the legal system, in an address at the New Jersey State Bar Association's annual meeting in Atlantic City on Friday morning.

AI Won't Kill Billable Hour, Associate Demand, NJ Managing Partners Say

Fri, 15 May 2026 09:44:32 EST

During a panel at the New Jersey State Bar Association's annual conference in Atlantic City, firm leaders offered insights on managing through turbulent economic and technological times and shared their cautious optimism for the state of the market.

The Week in Data May 15: A Look at Legal Industry Trends by the Numbers

Fri, 15 May 2026 05:59:59 EST

Catch up on the latest data from across the Law.com newsroom, including the climbing collective valuation of the Am Law 100.

FTC Maintains Stance on Noncompetes Whether Under Trump or Biden

Thu, 14 May 2026 17:18:49 EST

The FTC, in the Trump era, is wary of noncompetes it views as extreme, or those targeting lower-wage workers. But it sees a role for noncompetes for executives and others who have access to trade secrets or specialized training.

AG Davenport Talks 'Client-Focused' Approach, Maintaining Relationship With Fed Law Enforcement Partners

Thu, 14 May 2026 16:15:39 EST

Davenport spent years at Latham & Watkins and Patton Boggs after a federal judge suggested she try private practice to learn about client needs.

New Jersey's New 'ABC Test' Rules Leave Room for Further Clarification, Litigators Say

Tue, 12 May 2026 16:13:22 EST

“It's still not perfectly clear, even with the further explanations, how much of their own business someone truly must have to be classified as an independent contractor, Archer & Greiner attorney Scott A. Sears said.

Ex-New Jersey Judge Suspended Over Drunken Sexual Advances at Office Party

Tue, 12 May 2026 14:05:53 EST

The Disciplinary Review Board said stricter punishment was warranted in light of his position as a judge at the time the misconduct took place.

NJ Class Counsel in $7.25B Roundup Settlement Ask for $675M in Legal Fees

Tue, 12 May 2026 11:31:18 EST

The fee request, which is 9.3% of the settlement fund, is "quite modest," according to class counsel Eric Holland, who is co-class counsel with Chris Seeger of Seeger Weiss.

Class Counsel in $7.25B Roundup Settlement Ask for $675M in Legal Fees

Mon, 11 May 2026 17:22:22 EST

The fee request, which is 9.3% of the settlement fund, is "quite modest," according to class counsel Eric Holland.

$2.5M Middlesex Verdict Wiped Out Over Errors at Trial

Mon, 11 May 2026 16:21:05 EST

"The admitted evidence, individually and cumulatively, rose to the level of a miscarriage of justice warranting a new trial because it had the capacity to mislead the jury, despite the curative instruction given by the trial court," the appeals court found.

C.R. Bard Wins Defense Verdict in First Bellwether Trial Over PowerPort Device

Fri, 08 May 2026 19:46:49 EST

The trial, which began on April 21, is the first of about 3,000 cases in multidistrict litigation alleging Bard's PowerPort devices are defective, leading to blood infections, thrombosis or fractures.

Apple Quashed 'Watch Room' Competition, NJ Suit Alleges as Global Litigation Mounts

Fri, 08 May 2026 16:36:46 EST

Rave also sued Apple in Brazil, Canada, the Netherlands and Russia over its product's removal from the App Store.

Suits in 5 Nations Allege Apple Quashed "Watch Room" Competition

Fri, 08 May 2026 16:21:32 EST

Apple said it removed Rave from its App Store based on allegations that it hosted pornographic and pirated content and users complained about child sexual abuse materials. Rave replied that those allegations were baseless and extraordinary and that it has zero tolerance for unlawful or exploitative content.

Scarinci Hollenbeck Bolsters Restructuring Team After Real Estate Exits

Fri, 08 May 2026 16:15:43 EST

“There are symptoms of economic distress, so I'm preparing for that future and growing the creditors' rights and bankruptcy practice, Scarinci Hollenbeck managing partner Donald Scarinci said.

NJ Midsize Firm Accused of Botched Estate Planning, Losing and Misallocating Trust Assets

Thu, 07 May 2026 16:09:39 EST

The complaint, filed this week in Burlington County Superior Court, alleges misconduct by Capehart & Scatchard, claiming the firm's estate planning advice and related transactions reshaped—and depleted—the couple's assets to the detriment of multiple family trusts.

NJ's Am Law 200 Firms Blow Past National Growth Margins, Buoyed by Mergers and Litigation

Thu, 07 May 2026 15:52:33 EST

A quartet of Garden State law firms saw big jumps in rank and revenue in the Am Law 200.

NJ Boutique Launches in Hackensack With Small Firm Merger

Wed, 06 May 2026 16:24:11 EST

Bringing on the lawyers bolster's A.Y. Strauss's labor and employment, corporate, transactional, commercial real estate, environmental, construction and family law practices, Strauss said.

NJ Courts to Reduce Backlog by 30% Over Three Years, AOC Director Tells Lawmakers

Wed, 06 May 2026 16:23:27 EST

Blee asked for lawmakers' patience as recently-installed judges undergo mandatory training during their first year on the bench, in order to help them learn their craft.

Some Lawyers Say This NJ Ruling Is Among the Most Significant in Years

Wed, 06 May 2026 15:31:59 EST

"It impacts defense attorneys, it impacts plaintiffs attorneys, it impacts courts trying to figure out how to deal with what is or is not admissible at the time of trial, with respect to medical expenses," said attorney Stephen J. Foley Jr. "I think this will provide a degree of clarity, which should help everybody going forward."

Critical Mass With Law.com's Amanda Bronstad: 2nd Bellwether Trial Opens in LA Over J&J Talc, Federal Judge Calls $7.25B Roundup Settlement ‘Mind-Boggling'

Wed, 06 May 2026 10:58:59 EST

This week: The second bellwether trial in the coordinated California state court cases alleging Johnson & Johnson's baby powder causes ovarian cancer opened in Los Angeles Superior Court. U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria refused to intervene in a proposed $7.25B settlement in Missouri state court. Find out who was appointed to lead lawsuits against claims administrators such as Epiq and Angeion.

ELEC Report: Lawyer-Lobbyist Receipts See a 7% Increase at Top NJ Firms, as Lobbying Expenses Hit New $110M Peak

Tue, 05 May 2026 16:53:04 EST

“AI technology, data centers and energy, including renewable energy, were areas in which we added new clients. Health care, insurance and real estate development are perennially a focus of legislative and regulatory activity and all had leading roles in 2025, David J. Pascrell of FBT Gibbons said.

People in the News—May 5, 2026—Capehart Scatchard, Stradley Ronon

Tue, 05 May 2026 10:59:59 EST

After more than 40 years of distinguished services to clients, Capehart Scatchard announced the retirement of Joseph F. Betley, bringing to a close an accomplished and respected legal career.

Still? NJ Weighing Rule to Ban Attorney-Client Sex

Mon, 04 May 2026 17:02:44 EST

The justices rejected a similar proposal in 2002, but a lot has changed since the last time the court considered such an issue.

NJ $16M Verdict Won as Plaintiff Counsel Portray 'Arrogant Bunch of People'

Fri, 01 May 2026 18:04:18 EST

Depicting one's adversaries as wealthy and demanding outsiders seems to have paid off in this case. The jury awarded $16 million after hearing the owner of the warehouse described as a large and "arrogant" company that was unwilling to abide by New Jersey land use laws. During closing arguments in the 12-week trial, jurors heard a repeat of testimony from an officer of the warehouse company, who said, "it's our land and we can do what we want."

As Debt Collection Suits Surge, NJ Supreme Court Asked to Establish MCL

Fri, 01 May 2026 16:44:21 EST

“This type of litigation has been going on for quite some time. LVNV files hundreds of thousands of cases per year, so it makes sense to consolidate it before one judge," the attorney told Law.com.

With Strings Attached: New Jersey Courts Enforce Donor Conditions on Gifts and Trusts

Fri, 01 May 2026 13:04:59 EST

These decisions serve as important guides for practitioners who advise New Jersey's donors, charitable organizations, municipalities, and trustees about the legal obligations that arise when conditional gifts are made and accepted.

As Case Law Develops, NJ Bar Makes Clear: Beware of AI Privilege Issues

Fri, 01 May 2026 10:49:16 EST

Whether or not Heppner breaks new legal ground, the New Jersey Bar Association has moved promptly and commendably to advise the bar in the wake of this ruling.

Fed Roundup Judge Grills NJ MDL Lawyer, But Refuses to Step Into ‘Mind-Boggling' $7.25B Class Settlement

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 20:29:48 EST

U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria grilled Chris Seeger of Seeger Weiss in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, class counsel in the Missouri settlement, over the way in which the deal was preliminarily approved.

Federal Roundup Judge Refuses to Step Into ‘Mind-Boggling' $7.25B Class Settlement

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 17:44:56 EST

At a Thursday hearing, U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria, who is overseeing the Roundup multidistrict in the Northern District of California, hesitated to interfere with a $7.25 billion class action settlement proceeding in a Missouri state court.

Seton Hall Law Student Reflects on Historic 31-Victory Run on 'Jeopardy!'

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 16:39:58 EST

“It was just a tremendously fun time from start to finish. From getting the call to be on the show, to the actual tapings, to seeing it all unfold slowly over six weeks of television, Ding said.

People in the News—April 30, 2026—Flaster Greenberg, Cozen O'Connor

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 10:59:59 EST

Flaster Greenberg announced the recipients of the firm's 2026 Laura B. Wallenstein Memorial Scholarship in partnership with Rutgers University Law School—Camden.

Newark McCarter & English Attorney Defends Bard in First Port Catheter Bellwether Trial

Thu, 30 Apr 2026 09:10:47 EST

U.S. District Judge David Campbell of the District of Arizona is overseeing the trial, which began on April 21 and is set to wrap up by May 8.

First Bellwether Trial Opens Against Bard Over Implanted Port Catheters

Wed, 29 Apr 2026 18:58:16 EST

U.S. District Judge David Campbell of the District of Arizona is overseeing the trial, which began on April 21 and is set to wrap up by May 8.

State Court Asked to Clarify Whether 'Semi-Professionals' Fall Within CFA Exemption

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 15:21:15 EST

“The sole question before this court is whether insurance producers or brokers, agents are exempt from liability under the learned professionals' exemption to the Consumer Fraud Act. The answer to that limited question is yes, said Jared K. Levy of Wood Smith Henning & Berman.

Call for Nominations: New Jersey Legal Awards 2026

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 14:57:45 EST

New Jersey Law Journal seeks nominations for great attorneys deserving of recognition in the state

$6.5M Somerset County Verdict: 'The Dog Argument Was Nonsense'

Mon, 27 Apr 2026 18:11:45 EST

Defense counsel and a biomechanical expert maintained that the plaintiff's injuries were not a result of the crash, citing the four-month gap between the incident and the time the plaintiff sought medical treatment. They said the plaintiff hurt his back when he picked up the family dog.

'Teachable Moment' for Judiciary: Municipal Judge Responds to 'Palestine' Attire Complaint

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 17:43:20 EST

“Rather than being punished for his choice of clothing, the New Jersey judiciary can treat this as a teachable moment for all its judges and provide more specific training pertaining to religion so that a better understanding of various religions can be promoted, the judge said in an answer to a formal complaint.

Improved New Jersey Supreme Court Website Postings Regarding Supreme Court Appeals

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 15:15:02 EST

While some such material had been posted in the past, it is now posted as received and filed so it can be read leisurely and in more detail before argument. That makes it so much easier to understand the argument or at least some arguments.

Silencing the Facts? The Limits of Confidentiality in New Jersey Employment Settlements

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:44:59 EST

This article dissects the statute's text, legislative intent, and key case law, most notably the New Jersey Supreme Court's decision in Savage v. Township of Neptune, 257 N.J. 204 (2024), to assess how these principles are being applied in practice and to offer updated drafting guidance.

NJ Roundup Attorney Defends $7B Accord After Complications With Fed Court Claims Emerge

Fri, 24 Apr 2026 09:37:58 EST

Seeger, of Seeger Weiss in Ridgefield Park, New Jersey, told Law.com that the injunction motion is a “tactic to hijack the settlement in exchange for a better deal for their own Roundup clients.

'It Sets a Very Bad Precedent': Roundup Settlement's Critics Ask Federal Judge to Intervene

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 17:27:29 EST

Two co-lead plaintiffs' counsel in the Roundup multidistrict litigation filed an injunction motion earlier this month before U.S. District Judge Vince Chhabria, in California's Northern District, to intervene in a $7.25 billion class action settlement preliminarily approved last month by 22nd Judicial District Judge Timothy Boyer in St. Louis, Missouri.

New Ruling Hints at How Courts Might Weigh Privacy Against First Amendment

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 16:49:41 EST

The decision in Atlas Data Privacy v. Sterling Data Company signals to civil litigators that a constitutional defense won't always end a case early, and provides a glimpse of how courts can be expected to handle conflicts between protection of privacy and First Amendment claims.

Law Student Racks Up Historic 'Jeopardy!' Winning Streak

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 15:36:44 EST

A part-time student at Seton Hall Law now ranks fifth on the show's all-time list for victories in regular season play, and he will compete for his 30th consecutive victory on the show on Thursday.

Seton Hall Law Student Racks Up Historic 'Jeopardy!' Winning Streak

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 14:41:54 EST

A part-time student at Seton Hall Law now ranks fifth on the show's all-time list for victories in regular season play, and he will compete for his 30th consecutive victory on the show on Thursday.

As NJ Weighs Opening Up Liability Against ICE Agents, Observers Say Claims May Face Hurdles

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 11:00:17 EST

"It has arguably never been harder in American history than it is today, in 2026, to sue a federal official for money damages if they violate your constitutional rights," Harrison Stark of the University of Wisconsin Law School said.

States Moving to Open Liability Against ICE Agents Face Major Legal Hurdles

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 10:27:58 EST

The Mental Health Questions on New Jersey's Application for Firearms Purchaser Identification Card Create a Confusing Landmine that Must be Disarmed

Thu, 23 Apr 2026 09:59:59 EST

This article is not a commentary on the scope or effectiveness of those laws; it is about fairness and clarity in the application process.

In Era of Daniel's Law, AOC Director Notes Recent Rise in Threats Against Judiciary

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:54:29 EST

In 2018, the judiciary received 872 security reports and 132 threat reports against judges themselves. In 2025, those statistics multiplied to 2,302 security reports and 550 judge-related threat reports.

Flaster Greenberg Boosts Presence in Delaware

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 15:31:04 EST

Flaster Greenberg announced the addition of shareholder Gary Lipkin and associates Jack McGuire and Janki Patel to the firm's commercial litigation department, further strengthening its capabilities in complex business disputes.

NJ Attorney Slapped With Second Round of Sanctions Over Repeat AI-Generated False Citations

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 14:01:28 EST

The judge said she was “appalled by the attorney's conduct and warned that any similar violation in the future could prompt another sanction and a referral to the Pennsylvania Disciplinary Board.

Critical Mass With Law.com's Amanda Bronstad: 13 Lawyers Line Up to Lead Talc MDL's Next Phase, Jury Awards $5K in Uber Sexual Assault Bellwether Trial

Wed, 22 Apr 2026 10:58:59 EST

More than a dozen lawyers, including Mikal Watts and Christopher Placitella, applied to replace Beasley Allen's leadership role in the talc multidistrict litigation against Johnson & Johnson.