New Jersey Law Journal

Trial Judge's Errors Get $954K Judgment Tossed in Boat Injury Case

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 17:45:44 EST

A decision overturning a judgment of nearly $1 million is sure to be closely examined in the future—it was designated a published case, and it was referred to the New Jersey Supreme Court's Civil Practice Committee.

Reflections on 250 Years of New Jersey Constitutionalism

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 13:49:58 EST

The rights we have in our constitution exist only because of the structural mechanisms that protect the rule of law, the separation of powers, and an independent judiciary.

Trump Settlement with His Subordinate and His DOJ Showcase Conflicts of Interest

Fri, 26 Jun 2026 13:49:55 EST

We find that the concept of the executive branch leader making a settlement on his own behalf with someone who is his subordinate to constitute a clear conflict of interest.

On the Move and After Hours: Sills Cummis; CSG Law; Archer; Margolis Edelstein; Fox Rothschild; Capehart Scatchard

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 23:59:59 EST

Sills Cummis & Gross welcomes Jason I. Diener, Newton Portorreal, Jr., and Adam J. Landy to its Newark office, and more moves.

'Expensive Style:' Judge Agrees to $600K Settlement in Long-Running Discrimination Suit

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:31:08 EST

In June 2025, the defendants filed a motion to dismiss. The motion was still pending at the time of the settlement. The motion said Gross-Quatrone's claim for gender discrimination against Mizdol failed because she could not demonstrate that she suffered any adverse employment action or that she was treated differently than anyone outside her purported class.

Third Circuit Bars Providers' Defamation Suit Over Claim Denials

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 16:23:44 EST

“ERISA broadly preempts state law claims. The explanation of benefits forms at issue in this appeal fall well within the scope of ERISA preemption, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit Judge Thomas M. Hardiman said.

Your Next Lateral Candidate Has Already Formed an Opinion About Your Firm

Thu, 25 Jun 2026 13:29:59 EST

Law firms have traditionally approached recruiting from a position of evaluation. The firm assesses the candidate and decides whether to move forward. That dynamic has changed.

Kennedys Lands 12-Lawyer Litigation Team From Tyson & Mendes in Northeast

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 16:10:12 EST

The four partners in the group include two office managing partners from Tyson & Mendes.

‘Gotcha' No More? NJ Fed Court Considers Early Test for Affidavit of Merit Disputes in Med Mal Suits

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 00:53:27 EST

The proposed Local Civil Rule 16.1 amendment would eliminate the current language on affidavits of merit in negligence and malpractice litigation.

As Sextortion Spreads, So Does Its Link to Suicide

Wed, 24 Jun 2026 10:44:59 EST

The law is still catching up to the speed and cruelty of this harm.

PNC Bank Loses Bid for Release From Suit Over Fraud Against 76-Year-Old Man

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 17:11:56 EST

Guidance from FinCEN, the Treasury Department's Financial Crimes Enforcement Network, advises bank employees to watch for older customers engaging in unusual transactions or appearing to be under another person's influence. But employees of PNC didn't appear to follow that advice in Maas' case.

Gibbons Followed 'Accepted Standards' of Practice, Firm Says in Answer to $35M Legal Mal Suit

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 16:40:26 EST

“Plaintiffs' claims against defendants must fail as defendants exercised the knowledge, skill, ability and devotion ordinarily possessed and employed by members of the legal profession similarly situated, and utilized reasonable care and prudence in connection with those responsibilities, the defendants' answer stated, in part.

Genova Burns' Bankruptcy Group Jumps to Stevens & Lee

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 15:34:48 EST

Pennsylvania-founded Stevens & Lee entered the Am Law 200 for the first time this year and has 235 lawyers, compared to approximately 50 at Genova Burns.

Preserving a Residence While Qualifying for Medicaid

Tue, 23 Jun 2026 09:59:59 EST

With proper and timely estate planning, a Medicaid applicant may be able to preserve his or her residence while still qualifying for Medicaid benefits.

Bayer Taps Litigation Head Max Thu mmel as Group General Counsel

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 18:33:36 EST

The Longtime Bayer lawyer and global litigation head steps into top legal role after predecessor's departure.

Former Leader of NJ AG's Corruption Unit Takes on Similar Role for Pa. AG's Office

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 17:16:28 EST

According to his LinkedIn profile, Gibson will be tasked with “leading high-profile, complex investigations and prosecutions in Pennsylvania involving allegations of public corruption by elected or appointed state and local officials, state campaign finance violations, conflicts of interest, fraud, bribery, and civil rights violations.

Judge Rejects Preemption Challenge to Town's Leaf Blower Ban

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 16:34:14 EST

Numerous local governments nationwide have enacted restrictions on gas-powered leaf blowers, citing air pollution and their high decibel levels. The outcome of the Montclair case could ward off challenges in other states.

New Jersey Drivers Deserve More Transparency About Auto Insurance

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 15:59:59 EST

Today's policies involve a great deal of options: uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage, personal injury protection limits, verbal or limitation on lawsuit threshold elections, liability caps, exclusions, and endorsements that can dramatically affect what happens after a serious collision. Most people are not equipped to navigate those choices alone.

Supreme Court Wants Trump Administration's View on New Jersey State Bar Association's DEI Program

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 13:22:13 EST

The U.S. Supreme Court has called for the views of the solicitor general about whether private groups, such as the New Jersey State Bar Association, have a First Amendment right to set aside seats for members of underrepresented groups to promote diversity.

Key Points in Commercial Real Estate Purchase and Sale Contracts: Negotiating the Letter of Intent

Mon, 22 Jun 2026 10:00:05 EST

In this article, we are focusing on negotiating the letter of intent (LOI), which is a critical step in negotiating a real estate purchase and sale contract (the contract).

Ex-Partner Escalates Fight With Reed Smith Over Back-Pay

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 16:46:04 EST

An attorney bringing a wage equity suit against Reed Smith says a judge misread an appellate ruling after lawyers for the firm allegedly "planted seeds of confusion."

NJ Judge Awards Credit Agency $13M in Breach of Contract Suit Against Bail Bonds Company

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 14:00:04 EST

The judgment amount consists of $10.1 million in compensatory damages and $2.8 million in prejudgment interest, accompanied by annual post-judgment of just over $840,000.

The 25th Amendment Should Not Be Used Over Disagreements on Policy and Political Issues

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:02:43 EST

There has been real concern about the use of the 25th Amendment when and if there is some political division in the government, even within the president's own cabinet, and about its use for political purposes, particularly in the absence of a definition of “disability or “inability to serve.

Search Every File: Decision Gives Guidance on Due Diligence Necessary in Preparation of Criminal Defense

Thu, 18 Jun 2026 13:02:32 EST

The lesson for defendants and their counsel is clear. Complacent belief in one's own innocence does not excuse the failure to search business records under one's own control.

On the Move and After Hours: Weber Gallagher; Seeger Weiss; Norris McLaughlin; Riker Danzig

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 23:59:59 EST

Weber Gallagher announced that Teresa C. Finnegan has joined the firm as a partner in its medical malpractice group, and more moves.

Unable to Locate Defendant in $30M AutoZone Injury Case, Plaintiff Attorneys Seek to Bar Her Testimony

Wed, 17 Jun 2026 00:31:27 EST

Plaintiff counsel from Morgan & Morgan said it would be “fundamentally unfair to allow defendant Tameka Walker to avoid discovery and later testify at trial. Thus, counsel asked Hudson County Superior Court Judge Peter Baker to either strike her filed answer or, alternatively, bar her from such trial testimony.

New Federal Rules Aim to Partially Fix the No Surprises Act's IDR Process

Tue, 16 Jun 2026 23:59:59 EST

The IDR process was designed to resolve payment disputes between providers and insurers efficiently and without court involvement. But in practice, the IDR process has been plagued with problems, including millions of disputes, inadequate communication between parties, confusing eligibility rules, and insurers who felt little urgency to pay awards.