Civil Litigation

• Corporate & Commercial Litigation

  Running a business is a complicated and multifaceted undertaking, which does not always go smoothly.  If you are having trouble with a vendor, a subcontractor, a landlord, or any other aspect of your business, we can help.  Frequently, we are able to resolve those conflicts through negotiation or mediation, but we are also experienced and skilled litigators.

• Contract Disputes

  Even if the parties begin with the best of intentions, working relationships often fall apart.  Whether one party has failed to live up to their portion of an agreement, or there is a lack of clarity as to what a contract provision means, contract litigation can arise. Our attorneys have the skills to frequently resolve those disputes quickly, but can also strongly represent our clients if litigation becomes necessary.

• Landlord Tenant Disputes and Eviction

  Landlord tenant law is a part of the common law that details the rights and duties of landlords and tenants. It includes elements of both real property law (specifically conveyances) and contract law.  Understanding your rights as a landlord or tenant is vitally important to assure profit or maintaining residence for your family.

• Small Claims and Special Civil

  The Special Civil Part handles tenancy matters and claims for monetary relief up to $15,000.  Claims that are $3,000 or less, or $5,000 or less in the case of a tenant’s security deposit, are handled in the Small Claims Section of the Special Civil Part.  Cases in the Special Civil Part are typically tried by a judge without a jury.  The following is a general list of claims that may be filed in the Special Civil Part:

  • Breach of written or oral contract
  • Return of money used as down payment
  • Property damage caused by motor vehicle accident
  • Damage to loss of property
  • Consumer complaints for defective merchandise of faulty workmanship
  • Payment for work performed
  • Claims based on bad checks
  • Return of a tenant’s security deposit

• Name Changes

  There are a variety of reasons why you may want to change your name, or the name of a minor child.  A name change requires a formal application to the court. The court will want to ensure that you are not applying for a name change in order to avoid creditors or criminal prosecution, or for other fraudulent purposes.  The process of obtaining a name change can be procedurally demanding.   If all requirements related to the filing, service and publication of the name change application are not fully complied with, the court will deny the application.  It is for this reason that it is important you consult with experienced legal counsel to assist you with this process.

• Appeals

  It is not unusual for a trial court decision to leave one or both parties unhappy about certain aspects of a decision.  Those parties have the right to seek review by the Appellate Division.  An appeal is a very different process than the one utilized by the Superior Court.  It is strictly a legal review, not a retrial, and requires the filing of briefs with a thorough legal analysis of the lower court’s actions.  Even if a litigant has handled their matter on their own throughout a lower court proceeding, the particular requirements of an appeal make it important to have experienced legal counsel for such an undertaking.