News

On August 7, 2019, Governor Phil Murphy signed into law the “Cleanup Bill”.  This new law will make it easier for victims to sue a municipality and public officials in cases involving sexual misconduct.  The law also can also hold public entities and employers liable for their negligent hiring, r...

Recently, Acting Governor Sheila Y. Oliver signed A1094 into law, which will prevent employers from asking about workers' wage and salary history.  A1094 makes it an unlawful employment practice in New Jersey for any employer to screen a job applicant based on their salary history, including prio...

In an effort to address the negative consequences stemming from vacant, abandoned and other troubled unused properties, New Jersey recently passed legislation that allows for the creation of land banks.  Under the Land Bank Law the State will allow municipalities to designate single entities to a...

The New Jersey Tort Claims Act, in part, provides New Jersey public entities with certain defenses and/or immunities from liability, including certain conditions of public property.  The Tort Claims Act declares that neither a public entity, or a public employee, is liable for an injury caused by...

The former Ingersoll-Rand site in Phillipsburg, New Jersey has been designated by the Town as an area in need of redevelopment.  The site was purchased by a developer and is now being redeveloped.  Recently, the project was designated as the largest industrial project site in the United States.  ...

A power of attorney allows you to designate someone else to handle your financial affairs and to make and/or sign agreements on your behalf.  The person who executes the power of attorney is called the “principal,” and the person to whom the power of attorney is given is called the “agent” or “at...

The New Jersey Supreme Court has rendered a decision that has a significant positive impact on volunteer firefighters who are injured during the course of performing their duties.  It was previously unsettled whether a volunteer, with no other paid employment, could receive temporary disability p...

When land use boards grant approvals to develop property, they often include conditions.  To be valid, the condition must (1) not conflict with any other zoning ordinance; (2) not require illegal conduct; (3) serve the public interest; (4) be reasonably calculated to achieve a legitimate objectiv...

Public entities in New Jersey are immune from tort liability.  However, the Tort Claims Act provides injured people with a way to recover for the negligent acts of public entities.  However, the Act imposes strict requirements upon litigants seeking to sue public entities to limit a public entity...

As of January 1st, the federal estate tax exemption increased from $11.2 million to $11.4 million per individual and from $22.4 million to $22.8 per married couple, with the highest federal estate tax rate remaining at 40%.  The federal lifetime gift tax exemption and generation-skipping transfer...

Michael S. Selvaggi has been selected to serve on the Finance Council for Saint Luke Parish in Long Valley, New Jersey.  The Finance Council is responsible for overseeing the financial affairs and operations for the Church.  This appointment continues a long-standing volunteer relationship Mr. S...

Lavery, Selvaggi, Abromitis & Cohen, P.C. is excited to announce that Brandon A. Granda has joined the firm as an associate.  Mr. Granda graduated from Seton Hall  University School of Law in Newark, New Jersey in 2017, after receiving his undergraduate degree from Caldwell College in 2012.  Foll...

James Moscagiuri has been sworn in as new President of the Warren County Bar Association for 2018-2019.  Mr. Moscagiuri promises an enthusiastic and prosperous term as President and looks forward to advancing the interests of all lawyers in Warren County.  “The attorneys in the our county bar ass...

New Jersey courts have recognized a claim of negligent inflection of emotional distress (“NIED”) for people who witness an injury to a family member, caused by the negligence of a third party.  The elements to establish a NIED claim are: The death or serious physical injury of another caused b...

In many small communities in New Jersey, elected municipal officials wear many civic hats.  These dedicated public servants not only offer their time to be on their township committees, but also serve on the volunteer fire company or emergency squad.  Historically, these elected officials were b...

On May 2, 2018, the New Jersey Paid Sick Leave Act (the "Act") was signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy. The Act takes effect October 29, 2018, preempts all existing New Jersey earned sick leave municipal laws and one (1) hour of sick leave per thirty (30) hours worked. The Act provides the f...

Michael S. Selvaggi has been elected to serve as Vice-President for the Board of Trustees for Abilities of Northwest Jersey, Inc.  Abilities is a not-for-profit organization offering individualized employment and support services for persons with different abilities.  It provides individuals with...

In 2017, the Internal Revenue Service promulgated regulations which provide significant tax savings for investments made in businesses located and operated in Qualified Opportunity Zones (“QOZ”). A QOZ includes low-income communities, for which the federal government provides certain tax benefits...

Lavery, Selvaggi, Abromitis amp; Cohen, P.C is pleased to welcome Ravi S. Bhalla as Of Counsel to the Firm. In this capacity, Ravi will provide strategic advice and counsel to the Firm, enabling it to draw on his broad range of legal expertise as a seasoned litigator and trial attorney. Among Ra...

Lavery, Selvaggi, Abromitis amp; Cohen is proud to announce that one of its founding shareholders, Michael B. Lavery, has been elected to serve as the Chairman for the Republican Party in New Jersey.  His selection follows the recommendation given by Kim Guadagno, the Republican nominee for Gove...

With the summer approaching quickly, many “seasonal” businesses such as tennis clubs, golf courses, outdoor restaurants, etc., are faced with the reality of the need to obtain staffing in order to meet the business need.   Many businesses are preparing to handle the increased volume by hiring st...

While automobile accidents can often result in serious injuries, life-changing injuries are more likely to occur when a truck is involved.  In determining the liability of a truck driver, there are many factors that do not exist in the typical car accident.  Therefore, when you have been injured ...

The Open Public Meetings Act (“OPMA”) requires that public entities conduct business in an open public meeting, unless there is a specific exception specified under the Act. One of those exceptions is the discussion of personnel matters which must occur in closed session to protect the privacy of...

Lavery, Selvaggi, Abromitis amp; Cohen, P.C. is delighted to announce that William H. Pandos has joined the firm as an associate.  Mr. Pandos graduated from Drexel University School of Law in 2014, after receiving his undergraduate degree from Villanova University in 2011.  Following law school ...

Thirteen- the number of years municipalities, property owners and developers have grappled with the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act (“Act”).  For the 88 municipalities in the Highlands Region it has often been an adversarial and contentious relationship with the Highlands Council and ...