Joanne L. Butler, in August 2007, gave a presentation on “School Staff Obligations to Notify DYFS” and “Teacher Supervision/Liability Issues.”
Shirley B. Whitenack and Meredith L. Grocott gave a presentation entitled "Reforming and Modifying Trusts,” on July 18, 2007 at the Tenth Annual Elder & Disability Law Symposium....New Jersey Clients in an Ever-Changing Environment, moderated by Gary Mazart and sponsored by the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education in New Brunswick, New Jersey.
Shirley B. Whitenack is the co-author of a White Paper entitled "Annuity Policy: Consumer Protection Issues and Public Policy Recommendations," published in the NAELA Journal, National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, Vol. 3, 2007, No. 1.
Susan Flynn-Hollander recently served as co-chair of the Student Doctor for a Day event at New Jersey Medical School. Please click here to enjoy some photos of the event.
Wynne A. Whitman publishes second book, Wants, Wishes, and Wills: A Medical and Legal Guide to Protecting Yourself and Your Family In Sickness and In Health (Financial Times Press, May 2007).
Shirley B. Whitenack has been selected by the Board of Trustees of the New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education to receive the 2007 Distinguished Service Award. Ms. Whitenack will be presented with her award on June 4, 2007 at a cocktail reception at the New Jersey Law Center in New Jersey.
Shirley B. Whitenack has been named a Fellow of the National Academy of Elder Attorneys (NAELA). On May 3, 2007, the Academy will present Ms. Whitenack with her award at its annual business luncheon in conjunction with its annual Symposium in Cleveland. Selection as a Fellow is the highest honor bestowed by the Academy.
Joanne L. Butler gave a presentation on “Teachers’ Do’s and Don’ts in Special Education” to regular education teachers, special education teachers, and child study team members, in May, 2007.
Stephen A. Geffner succeeds in representing the mother of slain Police Probationary Officer Gary Tedesco in her wrongful death action against convicted murderer Thomas Trantino.
Gary Mazart gave a keynote address entitled "Up the Caregiver Creek without a Paddle?" for the Coalition on Family Caregiving at Overlook Hospital in Summit, New Jersey on March 25, 2007.
Gary Mazart and Shirley B. Whitenack gave a presentation entitled "Special Needs and Supplemental Benefits Trusts: A Primer" at a meeting of the Estate Planning Council of Northern New Jersey on March 21, 2007 at the Hyatt Morristown Hotel in Morristown, New Jersey.
Jeffrey LaRosa and Gary Werner recently won a $1.4 million jury verdict on behalf of New Jersey Transit. The case involved NJ Transit's claims against a contractor who performed renovation work on the Newark Broad Street Train Station. NJ Transit will also seek to recover attorneys' fees from the contractor by way of post-trial motion.
Representing the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New Jersey ("IIABNJ") and the Professional Insurance Agents of New Jersey ("PIANJ") the two pre-eminent insurance agent associations in New Jersey, Gil Leeds, Jeffrey LaRosa and Michael Serafino were successful in having the court grant to the Associations leave to file an amicus brief in a very important case involving the standard of care insurance producers owe to their customers. As an amicus curiae, or “friend of the court,” the Associations will advocate for and educate the court concerning the customary business practices of insurance producers. The case, which is being appealed, involves allegations of errors and omissions by a mutual member of both associations.
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NJ Law firms merged November 1, 2006
Paramus' Gallo Geffner Fenster P.C.
merged into
Morristown's Schenck Price Smith and King, LLP
Morristown, NJ - Two of NJ's oldest and most well respected law firms, 95 year old Schenck Price Smith and King, LLP and 40 year old Gallo Geffner and Fenster, P.C. of Paramus have voted to merge. The new firm will continue to use the name of Schenck Price Smith and King, LLP and have offices in Morristown and Paramus, as well as New York City. The new firm will have over 75 attorneys.
"The traditions and strengths of each of our firms lie in serving the established corporate community, entrepreneurial businesses and substantial portions of the public sector. We know that with this merger the depth and breadth of our attorneys' talent and knowledge will enhance our ability to provide our clients with the highly responsive and excellent quality of service they have come to expect." stated Edward Ahart, managing partner of Schenck, Price, Smith & King who will also serve in that capacity for the new merged entity.
Michael Gallo, a founder of Gallo Geffner Fenster remarked, "This merger works because we have the same philosophy of providing the highest levels of service to our clients in a cost effective mannner. Our practice areas are complimentary. By joining Schenck, Price, Smith & King, we will be able to expand our capabilities both within and well beyond Bergen and Passaic Counties."
The merged firm will provide a wide range of legal services including banking, corporate litigation, finance and transactional work, environmental, real estate, insurance coverage and regulatory law, trusts and estates, construction law, labor and employment, and public board representation.
Among the merged firms' clients include: Atlantic Health System, Jersey Central Power & Light, JP Morgan Chase Bank, Hooper Holmes, Inc., the Bank of America, New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Co., Roseland Properties, The Railroad Construction Companies, Great American Insurance Company, North Fork Bank, St. Peters Hospital, Millennian Homes and Eastman Companies.
The combined firm is in the top 25 firms in NJ, ranked by number of attorneys.
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Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. gave a presentation on New Jersey's revised guardianship statutes on February 1, 2007 at a seminar sponsored by Professional Education Systems Inc. in Iselin, New Jersey.
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. gave a presentation on Special Needs Trusts to Metdesk financial specialists from all over the country on January 25, 2007 at the Metlife building in Bridgewater, New Jersey.
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. was a panelist at a program entitled "Parenting Your Child With Special Needs" presented by Prudential Financial, Inc. for its employees on January 24, 2007 at its headquarters in Newark, New Jersey.
Joanne L. Butler was one of two speakers at a day-long seminar in January 2007 on “Lawfully Managing Student Records Without Violating Privacy Rights,” sponsored by the National Business Institute (NBI), attended by attorneys and administrators from both private and public schools.
Joanne L. Butler gave a presentation to child study team members on “Avoiding and Surviving Due Process Hearings” in January, 2007.
Gary Mazart and Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. participated in a panel discussion presented by NJ ICLE entitled "How Public Benefits Can Impact Matimonial Settlements" on December 5 in Mount Laurel and again on December 12, 2006 in Fairfield.
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. moderated a panel discussion on the topic of Deadman's Statutes presented by the Advocacy/Litigation Special Interest Group of the National Academy of Edler Law Attorneys at its Advanced Institute on November 4, 2006 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. was a panelist for the 3rd Annual Clifton Kruse, Jr., Esq. Professional & Ethics Lecture on the topic of Elder Law Ethics in a Post DRA World at the National Academy of Elder Law Attorney's Advanced Institute on November 4, 2006 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. gave a presentation on Medicaid Fair Hearings and Appeals on October 25, 2006 in Edison, New Jersey at a seminar entitled Sophisticated Elder Law Concepts XII sponsored by the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education.
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. authored an article entitled "Granny Snatching- Interestate and International Adult Guardianship Disputes" published by the New Jersey Law Journal on October 23, 2006.
On behalf of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of New Jersey ("IIABNJ"), Ed Ahart, Gilbert S. Leeds and Jeffrey LaRosa each gave separate presentations on insurance agent errors and omissions (E&O) issues at the IIABNJ's Fall 2006 conferences for Southern, Central and Northern New Jersey, respectively.
Gary Mazart and Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. co-presented on Thursday, October 19, 2006 a full day program on "New Jersey Elder Law" presented by HealthEd.
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. gave a presentation on October 16, 2006 on Due Process in the Probate Courts at the Probate Symposium in New Haven, Connecticut sponsored by the Connecticut Bar Association.
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. gave a presentation on Estate Planning on September 27, 2006 in Morristown, New Jersey at a program sponsored by the Essex County Coalition for Vulnerable Adults.
Congratulations to John M. DeMarco for being honored by The Supreme Court for completing four years of Voluntary Service in Attorney Ethics System
For immediate release: September 20, 2006
Volunteers in Attorney Ethics System Conclude Terms of Service
The Supreme Court will issue certificates thanking 117 volunteers who are concluding their four-year terms on the state’s 17 district ethics committees, announced David E. Johnson Jr., director of the Office of Attorney Ethics (OAE). The district ethics committees investigate and prosecute ethics cases involving New Jersey attorneys.
“Because of your selfless and untiring contribution of time and talent in the performance of your duties, the Judiciary, the legal profession and the citizens of New Jersey are assured a higher degree of accountability, legal competence and ethical conduct from those who serve the public in the practice of law,” the certificate reads in part.
Currently there are 491 volunteers serving on the committees. District X (Morris and Sussex Counties)
Brian M. Foley gave a presentation at the 2006 Health and Hospital Law Symposium, entitled “Recent Developments in Medical Staff Disputes and Hearings”. Presented on September, 2006 in Newark, New Jersey, the symposium was sponsored by the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, in cooperation with the New Jersey State Bar Association, Health and Hospital Law Section.
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. gave a presentation on the topic of guardianship and participated in a panel discussion on Medicaid planning under the Deficit Reduction Act of 2005 at the 8th Annual New Jersey Estate & Trust Law Forum sponsored by the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education on September 13, 2006.
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. gave a presentation on the topic of guardianship and conservatorship to the Greater New Jersey Estate Planning Council on September 12, 2006.
Joanne L. Butler gave a presentation on “Child Abuse Reporting and the Uniform Memorandum of Agreement With Local Law Enforcement” to new teachers in August, 2006.
Brian M. Foley wrote an article entitled “Reducing Paperwork – Physicians May Use a Universal Credentialing Application for Managed Care Plans” which was published in the July 10, 2006 edition of the New Jersey Law Journal.
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. gave a presentation on the topic of the newly revised guardianship statutes at the 55th Annual Tax & Estate Forum sponsored by the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education on June 7, 2006.
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. has been appointed Chairperson of the Advocacy/Litigation Special Interest Group of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys.
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. has joined the Special Needs Alliance, a national network of lawyers dedicated to disability and public benefits law.
Joanne L. Butler was one of two speakers at a day-long seminar in June 2006 on “Lawfully Managing Student Records Without Violating Privacy Rights,” sponsored by the National Business Institute (NBI), attended by attorneys and administrators from both private and public schools.
On May 20, 2006, Brian M. Foley, Esq. was a guest speaker and panelist at a seminar for physicians, sponsored by the Morris County Medical Society entitled, "Medical Practice 101". Mr Foley gave a presentation on Fraud and Abuse in Health Care, focused on the False Claims Act, the Anti-Kickback Law, and the"Stark" Physician Self Referral Law.
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. participated in a mock trial presentation on contested guardianships at the National Academy of Elder Law Attorney's Symposium in Washington, D.C. on April 23, 2006.
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. gave a presentation on the newly revised New Jersey guardianship statutes at the Elder and Disability Law Retreat co-sponsored by the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education and the New Jersey State Bar Association's Elder & Disability Law Section on April 6, 2006.
On March 30, 2006, Gilbert S. Leeds and Jeffrey LaRosa were participants at a day-long presentation for the Independent Insurance Agents of New Jersey. They were panelists for a discussion "Hot Topics in E&O Coverage for Agents and Brokers". In addition, they presented a workshop "Pitfalls of Insuring Contractors
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. served as moderator and presenter on the newly revised guardianship statutes at a Basic Guardianship Seminar sponsored by the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education on March 22, 2006.
Gary Mazart and Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. were participants in a panel discussion presented by PESI entitled "New Jersey Elder and Disability Law: Special Needs Trusts and Other Planning Considerations" on March 2, 2006 in Iselin.
Gary Mazart participated in a panel discussion presented by NJ ICLE entitled "Planning After Medicaid Reform" on February 15 in Hasbrouck Heights and again on February 16, 2006 in Voorhees.
Simone Handler-Hutchinson authored an article that was published in the February 13, 2006 edition of the New Jersey Law Journal entitled “Revisiting Informed Consent Issues – How to Ensure That Informed Consent Has Been Achieved”
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. was designated by the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Guardianship/Capacity Steering Committee to serve as an Observer to the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws Drafting Committee on Uniform Guardianship Interstate Jurisdiction and Enforcement Act, which met in Dallas, Texas February 3-5, 2006.
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. participated on a panel at the 2006 Caregiver Conference on The Diagnosis of Dementia- Implications for Patient and Family, co-sponsored by Freedom Eldercare and Sunrise Assisted Living, held on January 29, 2006 at Drew University.
Gary Mazart participated on Thursday, January 26, 2006 in a Worldwide Elder Law Leadership Conference presented by ReedLogic
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. gave a presentation on Special Needs Trusts at a program for specialists at MetDESK®, MetLife's Division of Estate Planning for Special Kids, on January 24, 2006, at the Somerset Marriott.
Schenck, Price, Smith & King is very pleased to announce that Gary F. Werner has joined the firm as a partner in the Litigation Department where he will chair the Construction Law Practice Group. Mr. Werner brings with him more than 20 years of legal experience handling complex commercial litigation with a concentration in the areas of construction law and alternative dispute resolution. Most recently, Mr. Werner was a partner with the New Jersey office of Kirkpatrick & Lockhart, LLP. Mr. Werner is a frequent lecturer on construction law issues for the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, Lorman Educational Services, and the Regional Alliance of Construction Contractors. Currently, Mr. Werner is working in conjunction with Rutgers School of Law on preparing a seminar course on alternative dispute resolution/construction law issues for the law school.
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In order to better serve our corporate and not-for-profit clients, the firm has formed the Corporate Governance practice group, under the leadership of Sidney A. Sayovitz, formerly Senior Vice President and General Counsel of a NASDAQ-listed company. The group is comprised of experienced corporate and litigation attorneys who advise public and private corporations and their directors, officers, and committees regarding many governance issues including compliance with the recently enacted Sarbanes-Oxley Act, SEC rules, the rules of the national securities exchanges, and D&O insurance matters. Serving both the business entity and individuals, the Corporate Governance practice group provides advice in this rapidly changing area of law.
Schenck, Price, Smith & King is very pleased to announce that Sidney A. Sayovitz has returned to the firm, following a leave of almost two years to serve as General Counsel for Lexent, Inc. a telecommunications corporation and a client of the firm. Mr. Sayovitz brings with him more than twenty years' experience handling complex transactions and regulatory matters in the telecommunications industry, and handling other complex litigation. He is a partner in the Business Organizations Department, concentrating his practice in the fields of telecommunications law, corporate governance, commercial transactions, and state and federal regulatory matters.
Gilbert S. Leeds and John D. McCarthy wrote an article entitled "The Innocent Retailer: Does New Jersey's Product Liability Act Provide Protection", which was published in the December 5, 2005 edition of the New Jersey Law Journal.
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. was a panelist on a television program called "Medicare Rx" that was broadcast by WNET New York on Thanksgiving Day, November 24, 2005, at 5:30 p.m.
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. spoke on the topic of “Elder Law and Estate Planning,” on November 18, 2005 at the Seniors Real Estate Specialist Course, North Central Jersey Association of Realtors, Morristown, New Jersey.
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. spoke on the topic of "Protecting Yourself Against Internet Fraud and Identity Theft" at a Women's Luncheon sponsored by the Bank of New York at the Basking Ridge Country Club, Basking Ridge, New Jersey on November 17, 2005.
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. spoke on the topic of "Estate Planning for Families with Special Needs Children" on November 16, 2005 at New Providence High School at a free program sponsored by New Providence parents of Exceptional Children.
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. spoke on the topic of "How Guardianship Procedure & Administration is Expected to Change" at the Sophisticated Elder Law Concepts XI Seminar sponsored by the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education on November 16, 2005 at Pines Manor, Edison, New Jersey.
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. and Meredith L. Grocott, Esq. gave presentations on guardianship issues at the Morris County Bar Association's Trusts & Estates Committee Seminar on November 1, 2005 at the Morris County Courthouse Jury Assemblyroom.
Meredith L. Grocott, Esq. was a panelist at the Guardianship Association of New Jersey's Tenth Annual Conference on Guardianship at the Law Center in New Brunswick on October 25, 2005 at the Law Center in New Brunswick, New Jersey. The topic is "A Real Case Study: Walter Macak Gets His Day in Court: Attempting to Modify a Full guardianship for an Elderly Person."
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. was a Co-Chair of the Guardianship Association of New Jersey's Tenth Annual Conference on Guardianship on October 25, 2005 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.at the Law Center in New Brunswick, New Jersey and will give a presentation on the "Proposed New Professional Guardianship Statute and Proposed Revisions to New Jersey's Current Guardianship Statutes."
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. was a panelist on a television program called "Medicare Rx" that was broadcast by NJN (New Jersey Public Television and Radio) on Sunday, October 2, 2005 at 12 noon and Friday, October 7, 2005 at 9:00 p.m.
Edward W. Ahart, Esq., and Sidney Sayovitz, Esq. were both presenters at Fairleigh Dickinson University's Rothman Institute of Entrepreneurial Studies presents "How to Leverage Boards for Successful Growth" on Tuesday, September 27, 2005. This half-day intensive seminar was designed to help small to medium sized businesses and nonprofits understand how to create and leverage their boards so that they can more effectively manage and grow their organizations. Lenfell Hall, The Mansion, College at Florham, Fairleigh Dickinson University, 285 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ.
Edward W. Ahart, Esq.. was a presenter and Schenck, Price, Smith & King, LLP a sponsor at the Rothman Institute Family Business Forum held on September 22, 2005. The topic was "Advisory Boards: Can They Help Your Company?"
Edward J. Trawinski, Esq., Chairman of the Morris County Economic Development Corporation was a speaker at the First Annual Morris Partners in Economic Growth Forum held Friday, September 23, 2005, at The Meadow Wood Manor, 461 Rt. 10 East, Randolph, NJ. The Forum was constructed to both education the Morris business community on the programs and to answer questions and listen to suggestions and recommendations on how county government can better serve the needs of the business community.
Gary F. Werner, Esq., Chair of the Firm’s Construction Law Practice Group, and Michael G. Serafino, Esq., Member of the Firm’s Construction Law Practice Group, gave an all-day seminar titled “Public Contracts and Procurement Regulations in New Jersey.” Mr. Werner moderated this intensive Construction Law Seminar, which included fellow presenters Lawrence E. Leykam, Esq., General Counsel of the Epic Construction Group, Carlo J. Camporeale, General Counsel of The Railroad Construction Family of Companies, Inc., Brian J. Murray, Director of Campus Planning and Construction for The College of New Jersey, and Mr. Serafino. The Seminar provided the audience -- which consisted of contractors, architects, construction and project managers, attorneys, engineers, school business administrators, and representatives of county and municipal contracting units -- with a comprehensive understanding of New Jersey’s Local Public Contracts Law (N.J.S.A. 40A:11-1, et. seq.) and Public School Contracts Law (N.J.S.A. 18A:18A-1, et. seq.), construction procurement procedures for public contracts, AIA Contracts, how to identify issues and pitfalls after the award of public contracts, and how to resolve contract controversies during construction of a public project. This seminar, sponsored by Lorman Education, was presented on September 8, 2005 in East Brunswick, N.J.
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. has been appointed a member of the New Jersey State Bar Foundation's Program Development Committee.
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. gave a presentation on the topic of at the Law Center in New Brunswick, New Jersey on August 10, 2005 at a seminar entitled Medicaid Planning for Estate Planning Lawyers sponsored by the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education on the topics of "Modifying Estate Planning Documents to Qulaify for Public Benefits" and New Jersey Medicaid Estate Recovery. For further information, please contact NJICLE at 732-214 8500.
Shirley B. Whitenack, Esq. and Meredith L. Grocott, Esq. gave a presentation at the Law Center in New Brunsick, New Jersey on July 13, 2005 at the Eighth Annual Elder & Disability Law Symposium sponsored by the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education in cooperation with the New Jersey State Bar Association's Elder and Disability Law Section on the topic of " Negotiating and Settling Medicaid Claims and Other Public Benefit Liens and Claims for Recovery."
Shirley B. Whitenack has been appointed to the Board of Trustees of the New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education for a three year appointment.
Edward J. Trawinski, Esq., Chairman of the Morris County Economic Development Corporation is to appear on the Focus on Morris County TV show which will air on the Patriot Media Channel 8 at 8:30 a.m. Monday - Friday, July 11-15, 2005 and again Friday night, July 15, 2005, at 10:00 p.m. The program is also scheduled to air on Cablevision Channel 21 on Sunday, July 17, 2005 at 9:00 p.m.
Bank of America’s Home Builder Division and co-host Schenck Price Smith & King, LLP, Tuesday, June 21, 2005 sponsored a seminar entitled "Navigating The Next Decade of Development." [.PDF format]
Morris County Economic Development Corporation Names Edward J. Trawinski, Esq., of Morristown-based Schenck, Price, Smith & King, LLP To Chairman. [.PDF format]
Schenck, Price, Smith & King Announces the Expansion of its Health Care Law Practice Group
Schenck, Price, Smith & King is pleased to welcome Brian M. Foley as a Partner in the firm’s Health Care Law Practice Group and Business Organizations Department. [.PDF format]
Shirley B. Whitenack participated on a panel titled "Pearls & Gems of Successful Medicaid Advocacy" at the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys 2005 Symposium on May 22, 2005 at the Fairmont Hotel, San Fransisco, California.
Shirley B. Whitenack gave a presentation on Protecting Yourself Against Financial and Internet Scams and Identity Theft on May 3, 2005 at the Law Center, New Brunswick, New Jersey at the Senior Citizens Law Day program from 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. sponsored by the New Jersey State Bar Foundation. For more information, call 1-800-Free-Law.
Shirley B. Whitenack gave a presentation on April 7, 2005 at the Radisson Plaza-Warwick Hotel, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on Hot Topics-Litigation & Medicaid Update at the Seventh Annual Elder Law Retreat sponsored by the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education. Individuals interested in more information can call 732-214-8500.
Shirley B. Whitenack gave a presentation February 3, 2005, at the Woodbridge Hilton Hotel, Iselin, New Jersey on Negotiating the Medicare and Medicaid Claims and Liens at a seminar entitled Understanding Special Needs Trusts & Disability Planning Update 2005 co-sponsored by the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys and PESI (Professional Education Systems Institute, LLC). Individuals interested in more information can call 1-800-826-7155.
The State Operated School District of the City of Paterson Files Four Lawsuits
Against Contractors
[.PDF format]
December 9, 2004, Morristown, NJ – The law firm of Schenck, Price, Smith & King, LLP, representing the City of Paterson’s State Operated School District, has filed four civil lawsuits in the Law Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey. The lawsuits (see attached listing) seek restitution and damages for payments made by the School District to contractors totaling more than $11.5 million, for alleged breach of contract, and in some cases, misrepresentation, fraud and civil racketeering between 1998 and 2003.
Sidney A. Sayovitz, the senior partner of the Corporate Governance Practice at Schenck, Price, Smith & King said, “In filing today, the School District is seeking monetary damages to rectify past improprieties.”
On November 30, 2004, the Commercial Real Estate and Environmental Groups sponsored a breakfast seminar on development opportunities in New Jersey, including discussion of the pending “fast track” expedited permit review regulations, Governor McGreevey’s recent Executive Order, and aspects of the Highlands and Smart Growth Acts. Presentations were also made concerning development opportunities available through participation in the informal expedited permit review program for smart growth development with the participation of the Department of Community Affairs, which has been utilized successfully in connection with projects such as the “Xanadu” development in the New Jersey Meadowlands. Distinguished Speakers included Department of Community Affairs Commissioner Susan Bass Levin, New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority Chairman Carl Goldberg (also the President of Roseland Properties) and our Partners, Edward J. Trawinski and Richard J. Conway, Jr.
Shirley B. Whitenack gave a presentation on Cutting Edge Issues in Medicaid Planning for New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education's Seminar entitled "Sophisticated Elder Law Concepts" at the Law Center in New Brunswick on November 30, 2004.
Shirley B. Whitenack participated in a panel discussion which included Surrogate Judge Donald De Leo of Hudson County entitled "Implementing Wingspan Recommendation through Grass Roots Advocacy" at the 2004 Joint Conference of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, National College of Probate Judges and the National Guardianship Association on November 13, 2004 in Colorado Springs.
Shirley B. Whitenack participated in a panel which included the Honorable Thomas P. Olivieri, P.J. Ch., Hudson County, on Special Medical Guardianships at the Guardianship Association of New Jersey's 9th Annual Conference on October 28, 2004, at the Law Center in New Brunswick.
Shirley B. Whitenack gave a presentation on Estate Mediation at the Estate Planning Seminar For Professionals given by Children's Specialized Hospital Foundation at the Woodbridge Hilton on October 28, 2004.
Shirley B. Whitenack has been honored by the New Jersey State Bar Association for providing pro bono services to the Association's amicus efforts. Shirley was honored at the NJSBA Board of Trustees meeting on September 10, 2004.
SPSK's managing partner Edward W. Ahart was a featured speaker at IIABNJ's 111th Annual Conference in Newport, Rhode Island September 15, 2004. Mr. Ahart's topic was Mergers & Acquisitions.
Shirley B. Whitenack gave a presentation of Medicaid Fair Hearings and Appeals at NJ ICLE’s Seventh Annual Elder and Disability Law Symposium a the Law Center in New Brunswick on July 14, 2004.
Joanne L. Butler gave a presentation at the National Business Institute seminar on Teacher Liability Issues - Assisting Schools in Preventing Negligence, July 8, 2004, Saddle Brook.
Schenck, Price, Smith & King, LLP is pleased to announce the appointment of Kurt G. Senesky as Chair of the firm’s Real Estate Department.
Shirley B. Whitenack conducted direct examination of expert witnesses in a mock trial involving a will contest on May 21, 2004, at the 2004 National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys Symposium in Hilton Head, South Carolina.
Shirley B. Whitenack gave a presentation on Elder Law on May 14, 2004, for Coldwell Banker Realty, located at 2200 Rt. 10 West, Parsippany.
Shirley B. Whitenack presented a program on Guardianship and Conservatorship for the New Jersey State Bar Foundation’s Senior Law Day on May 5, 2004, at the Law Center in New Brunswick.
Shirley B. Whitenack spoke on Elder Law/Planning for Long-Term Care on April 24, 2004, at 10:00 a.m. at the Fifth Annual Women of the 21st Century Event sponsored by Adventist HealthCare. The program was held at the Holiday Inn Select in Clinton, NJ.
Shirley B. Whitenack gave a presentation on Elder Law April 20, 2004, for the North Central Jersey Association of Realtors, located at 748 Morris Turnpike, Short Hills.
Edward J. Trawinski was a featured speaker at Bergen Community College in Paramus on March 20, 2004 as a member of the Bergen County Bar Association Land Use Panel to members from all planning and zoning boards in Bergen County on the topic of cellular towers. Mr. Trawinski spoke that day regarding New Jersey Redevelopment Law.
Shirley B. Whitenack and Meredith L. Grocott both spoke at an ICLE Seminar February 24, 2004. The topic was “Guardianship Training for Lawyers”.
Sheilah O’Halloran and Meredith L. Grocott both participated in a Seminar given to executive MBA students in Health Management Systems at the Rothman Institute at Fairleigh Dickenson University on March 20, 2004.
Monica E. Peck gave the following presentations:
To the New Jersey Association of School Administrators on March 25, 2004, regarding Handling Discipline Issues and Preparing for the Difficult Special Education Case: Out-of-District Placement, Autism Cases and Home Program Issues.
To the Bergen County Association of School Administrators on March 15, 2004. The topic was “Legal Issues Involving Autism”.
To the Morris Hills Regional School District Guidance Staff on January 19, 2004, regarding Confidentiality and Student Records.
Monica E. Peck gave the following presentations:
To the New Jersey Special Education Administrators Association – Bergen and Passaic Counties on November 21, 2003. The topic was “Legal Issues Involving Autism”.
To the Union Township Public Schools, Union, NJ, on November 4, 2003, regarding Section 504.
To the Hackensack Child Study Teams on October 31, 2003. The topic was “The Reauthorized IDEA Avoiding “Due Process” Hearings – The IEP”.
To the Teaneck Teaching Staff on October 27, 2003, regarding Memorandum of Agreement Reporting to Law Enforcement; 504.
To the Bergenfield School District Staff at Roy Brown Middle School regarding Highlights of No Child Left Behind Act 20 U.S.C. 6301 et. seq. (2002).
To the New Jersey Association of School Administrators regarding Student Discipline, Autism, Handling Expert Witnesses, Out-of-District Site Visits.
To the Carlstadt/East Rutherford District Staff regarding Special Education and Student Manifestation Determinations and Behavioral Intervention Plans.
To the Bergen County Association of School Administrators regarding Special Education: IDEA, Section 504 and Issues Related to Discipline.
To the New Jersey Association of School Administrators regarding Student Discipline, Autism, Handling Expert Witnesses, Residential Placements.
To the Morris County School Boards Association regarding Special Education Legal Issues.
To the Region III, IV, V Council for Special Education regarding Manifestation Determinations.
To the South Orange/Maplewood District Staff regarding Section 504/Student Discipline Uniform Memorandum of Agreement Reporting Requirements.
To the New Jersey Association of School Administrators regarding Special Education: Handling Discipline Issues and Preparing for the Difficult Special Education Case.
To the Bergen County Association of School Administrators regarding Special Education, BIPs and MDs.
To the South Orange/Maplewood District Staff regarding Special Education Issues.
To the Regional V Council for Special Education regarding Preparing BIPs and FBAs.
To School Administrators at the Park Avenue Club, Madison, regarding Employment Law Issues for School Administrators.
To the Hillside Board of Education Staff regarding Special Education, Discipline and Section 504.
To the Columbia University Teachers College, NY regarding The Nuts and Bolts of Construction Law – Post Referendum.
To the Lehigh University 30th Annual Education Law Conference regarding Special Education Law Autism Cases: How to Win Legal Challenges.
To the Bergen County School Boards Association regarding Special Education; Legal Issues & Challenges.
To the New Jersey School Boards Association Annual School Law Forum regarding Student Discipline.
To the South Orange/Maplewood Board of Education Administrators regarding Employee Evaluation, Documentation, Discipline and Other Employment Issues.
To the Hackensack Public School District Staff, the South Orange/Maplewood District Staff, and the Region III Council for Special Education Northern Valley Regional H.S. Demarest, NJ, and Region V Council for Special Education River Dell H.S., regarding Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act – “The Sleeping Lion”.
To the South Orange/Maplewood District Staff regarding Workplace & School-Based Harassment in New Jersey.
To the Lehigh University -- 28th Annual Education Law Conference regarding Students with Disabilities – High Stakes Testing and Grading – A New Jersey Perspective.
To the Greenwich Board of Education District Staff regarding Special Education Legal Issues.
Monica E. Peck and Joanne L. Butler gave a presentation to the North Jersey Special Education Administrators Association regarding "Legal Issues Regarding Autism."
Joanne L. Butler was a panelist at the National Business Institute seminar entitled New Jersey Special Education Law, speaking on "Due Process Procedures" and "Special Education Legal Update."
Joanne L. Butler was the featured speaker at the Strauss Esmay Associates Educational Policy and School Law Seminar, presenting on "Permanent Expulsion: Is a School District Obligated to Provide Alternative Education?"
Shirley B. Whitenack participated as faculty at the New Jersey Judicial College, and was a panelist in a course at the College entitled "Guardianship Law & Probate Update".
Shirley B. Whitenack is the author of an article entitled "Guardianship Law Reform is Overdue" that was published in the New Jersey Law Journal.
Shirley B. Whitenack moderated and Gary Mazart spoke at a program entitled "Planning for Long Term Care". The program was sponsored by the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE).
Joanne L. Butler spoke at the National Business Institute seminar “School Law Issues in New Jersey” for attorneys and administrators. She spoke about Student Discipline and Dress Code Issues.
Shirley B. Whitenack moderated and spoke at the Elder Law Retreat, sponsored by the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE).
Schenck, Price, Smith & King co-sponsored, along with the New Jersey Corporate Counsel Association, a breakfast seminar on January 31, 2002, at which the featured speaker was Jane Kenny, the Regional Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Other speakers included Usha Wright, Vice President and Associate General Counsel, Director, Environment, Safety & Health of ITT Industries, and Richard J. Conway, chair of the Environmental Law Practice Group of Schenck, Price, Smith & King.
In the fall of 2003, Shirley B. Whitenack received a Legislative Service Award for the New Jersey State Bar Association for her contribution in drafting revisions to New Jersey's guardianship statutes and promoting those changes.
In October 2003, Shirley B. Whitenack received a Recognition Award from the Guardianship Association of New Jersey, Inc. for her "Dedication and Service to New Jersey's Vulnerable Adult Population."
James Eric Andrews has come to the firm as of counsel, from his position in Trenton as Deputy Attorney General. Mr. Andrews will concentrate his practice in the fields of public utilities, cable television, and telecommunications law, having counseled and represented state agencies in those areas for ten years prior to his joining Schenck, Price.
James A. Kassis has joined the firm as an associate in the Litigation Department. He comes to the firm after having served a year-long judicial clerkship with the Honorable Howard H. Kestin of the Appellate Division Of the New Jersey Superior Court.
Shirley B. Whitenack gave a presentation at the New Jersey State Bar Association Mid-Year Meeting in Scottsdale, AZ on November 7, 2001 on the topic of planning for long-term care. The presentation was co-sponsored by the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education.
On September 28, 2001, Joanne L. Butler addressed the Annual Morris County Convocation of superintendents, business administrators, and special education directors on the topic of Student Residency issues.
Gary Mazart presented a seminar September 25, 2001 on "Planning for Parents w/ Disabled Children", for Children's Specialized Hospital, and a seminar October 16, 2001 on "Elder and Disability Planning", for the Union County CPA Society.
Shirley B. Whitenack is a contributing author (Chapter 6) of Volume 45 of West's New Jersey Practice. The title of the volume is Elderlaw-Gaurdianships and Conservatorships
Shirley B. Whitenack has been elected chair of the Elder Law Section of the New Jersey Bar Association. She will serve in that position for the year 2001-2002.
Edward J. Trawinski was the speaker at the New Jersey Planning Officials Basic Accreditation Program for Zoning and Planning Board Members, in Bergen County on February 12, 2001.
The Administrative Office of the Courts has added Roy Evans and Shirley Whitenack to the roster of approved mediators qualified for conducting mediations in Civil, General Equity, and Probate matters in New Jersey.
Shirley Whitenack was on the faculty of the State of New Jersey Judicial College on November 21, 2000. She made a presentation to the General Equity and Probate Judges on the topic of limited guardianship. Ms. Whitenack is a contributing author to the recently published Volume 45 of West's New Jersey Practice series, entitled Elder Law-Guardianships and Conservatorships. The series is used by many attorneys as practice guidebooks. Ms. Whitenack authored Chapter 6, "Appointment of Guardian for Person Over 18 Years Receiving Services from Division of Developmental Disabilities".
Sheilah O'Halloran has begun a one-year term as Chair of the District X Fee Arbitration Committee.
Roy J. Evans has been elected as Vice Chair of the Morris County College Board of Trustees. The Morris County Board of Freeholders had recently reappointed Mr. Evans for a second four-year term on the Board of Trustees.
Edward J. Trawinski spoke at the annual New Jersey League of Municipalities Conference on the proposed Water Quality and Wastewater Management Regulations.
Joanne Butler addressed three separate audiences during October, totaling approximately 500 teachers and administrators, on education law topics including the avoidance of special education litigation, reporting requirements related to students believed to be under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and sexual harassment.
Shirley Whitenack has authored an article entitled "Limited Guardianships Encouraged", that was published in the New Jersey Lawyer newspaper on October 16, 2000. Ms. Whitenack was the moderator of a panel discussion entitled "Preserving Human Rights: Limited and 'Tailored' Guardianships: An Update on Ethical Considerations" at the Guardianship Association of New Jersey, Inc.'s Fifth Annual Conference in October 2000.
Ms. Whitenack has been elected Vice Chair of the Elder Law Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association.
Meredith Grocott has become a member of the Board of Trustees for Historic Speedwell, a civic organization concerned with the preservation of certain historic sites in the Morristown area.
As a member of the Board of Directors of the NJSBA's Corporate and Business Section, and chair of its ISRA committee, on October 13, 2000, Richard J. Conway chaired a panel at the Institute for Continuing Legal Education's First Annual Business Law Symposium. That panel discussed "Counseling as to Individual Liability for Environmental Problems." Mr. Conway and two other speakers spoke on: (1) Shareholder/Equity Owner liability (piercing issues), (2) Officer/Manager liability (Responsible Corporate Officer doctrine), and (3) Estate, Beneficiary and Fiduciary liability.
Shirley Whitenack is serving as a mediator in the Union County Early Settlement Panel in estate and trust litigation matters. She also is serving as an Arbitrator in Union County's Expanded Arbitration/Contract and Commercial Arbitration Programs.
Gary Mazart moderated a full day Elder Law Symposium sponsored by the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) in July. Mr. Mazart and Shirley Whitenack co-presented at the Symposium on the topic of "Incapacity and Undue Influence: Planning and Litigation Strategies to Protect the Client and the Attorney".
Gary Mazart provided legal script consulting services to the award-winning ABC television drama "The Practice" for a two-part episode that aired June 18 and 25. The episode concerned the problems of an aging attorney who suffers from dementia. The producer cited Mr. Mazart's "credentials in elder law and his position at one of New Jersey's most prominent law firms" as key reasons for seeking his assistance with script development. The episode was submitted for consideration in the "Best Drama" category for the 2000 Emmy Awards.
Roy Evans was the moderator of a June 21 Morris County Bar Association Civil Practice Committee seminar on the new "best practices" rule changes that are taking effect in the Superior Court of New Jersey. As co-chair of the Civil Practice Committee of the MCBA, Mr. Evans was active in reviewing the proposed rule changes and drafting comments that the Association submitted to the Supreme Court.
Monica Peck has been elected as Vice President - Northern District of the New Jersey Association of School Attorneys.
Ms. Peck presented a seminar on Section 504 special education issues to a group of public school district Superintendents in Bergen County on June 14.
Shirley Whitenack spoke to parents of developmentally disabled adolescents on the topic of guardianship, housing and special needs trust issues, on June 13 at Governor Livingston High School in Berkeley Heights.
Peter Marra also spoke at the June 8 seminar, on employee privacy issues including e-mail and drug testing.
Gilbert S. Leeds and Peter A. Marra are the authors of an article published in the April 17, 2000 issue of the New Jersey Law Journal, entitled "Discovering and Preserving Electronic Evidence: How to Avoid Spoliation Pitfalls in the Computer Age".
Gary Mazart presented a program on "Estate Planning for Qualified Savings and Other Retirement Issues" during May, addressing 45 clients of the Pitch Financial Group.
Joanne Butler addressed the Somerset County School Nurses Association on May 3, speaking on the topic of confidentiality of pupil and staff records.
Edward J. Trawinski was the Master of Ceremonies and one of two keynote speakers, along with former New Jersey Attorney General Cary Edwards, at the 50th Anniversary Celebration for St Anne's Grammar School in Fair Lawn.
Also in April, Gary Mazart presented a program on "Planning for Parents with Disabled Children" for the Cerebral Palsy Center of Bergen County.
Mr. Mazart also completed a thirteen-week radio series on Elder Law and Disability Planning Issues, sponsored by Balance Financial Group. The show was presented on consecutive Tuesday mornings in ½ hour installments and aired on WWNJ, 1360 AM.
Schenck Price sends best wishes and congratulations to our client, Lexent, Inc., and to its new General Counsel, our former partner, Sidney A. Sayovitz. Mr. Sayovitz accepted appointment to that post effective in April. Sid is a fine attorney, a true gentleman, and a good friend. While we hated to see him leave, we are happy that he has the opportunity to write yet another chapter in a distinguished career. Schenck Price continues to represent Lexent as outside counsel.
