October 2007

"Employer obligations to employees returning from military leave" In this era of increasing uncertainty, more and more employers must grapple with the extended
leaves of employees that are called into military service...

August 2007

"40 Under Forty " Abromitis, an accomplished trial and appellate lawyer, handles litigation for corporate clients in diverse practice areas, notably real estate, commercial and insurance...

August 2007

"SEEN AS HARD WORKER" but ‘normal guy.’ Going after Highlands Act, picking up kudos along the way. A Hackettstown area attorney challenging the constitutionality of the state’s Highlands Act is being honored for his leadership and courtroom record...

July 2007

"New Jersey Supreme Court chips away at the power of eminent domain" On June 13, 2007, the New Jersey Supreme Court decided Gallenthin Realty Development Inc. v. Borough of Paulsboro, and significantly altered the scope of eminent domain in the State of New Jersey...

April 2007

Michael Selvaggi (mselvaggi@ckclaw.com) and Jason Gratt (jgratt@ckclaw.com) recently prevented the dissolution of the Great Meadows Regional School District in Warren County, New Jersey. On February 2, 2007 Liberty Township, one of the constituent municipalities to Great Meadows, filed a Petition with the New Jersey Commissioner of Education seeking the dissolution of this regional school district...

April 2007

"Gender Identity or Expression" is a new protected class under the Law Against Discrimination and the employer restroom may become the next battlefield. On December 19, 2006, Governor Corzine signed legislation that expands the list of characteristics protected by the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination. The newly protected characteristics are described as “gender identity or expression.” The new protections will take effect on June 17, 2007...

March 2007

"Judge orders company to repair power line poles running through 200-plus-acre property." John Abromitis case.

February 2007

"McGreevey's book fuels builder's suit" 'Confession' part of Highlands Act Challenge...

February 2007

"McGreevey key to suit" Builder says creation of Highlands Act violates his rights and politics corrupted drawing of lines...

December 2006

Transport companies may be liable for "incompetent" independent haulers: When utilizing independent contractors for transportation services, trucking companies must be aware of their legal duties with regard to the hiring of "competent" independent contractors...

December 2005

IPG wins dismissal for elevator maintenance company: The IPG recently obtained a summary judgement for an elevator maintenance company in a negligence action arising out of an elevator accident.

December 2005

RES IPSA Loquitur, Experts and complex instrumentalities: On October 12, 2005, the New Jersey Supreme Court issued an opinion in the matter of Jerista v. Murray, 185 N.J. 175 (2005), which could have an impact on the defense of personal injury claims involving so-called "complex instrumentalities" like elevators, escalators and automatic doors.

December 2005

Specific Performance: Alive and Well On November 21, 2005, the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey confirmed that the equitable remedy of “specific performance” can be ordered even where the party seeking said relief failed to comply with all of the technical requirements of the sales contract.

November 2005

Highlands Council Officials make presentation at CKC Law and testify before senate environment committee: Highlands Council Executive Director Adam Zellner, Chief Council Thomas Borden and Council Member Janice Kovach presented an overview of Council activities and answered questions from clients and firm attorneys at the offices of Courter, Kobert & Cohen, P.C. on Monday, October 3, 2005. They discussed important developments related to the Highlands Region.

October 2005

When A Commitment Is Not “ Firm” Recently, the New Jersey Appellate Division addressed the right of a prespective Buyer to terminate a Contract based upon a failure of the mortgage contingency clause.

September 2005

Flood! In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, the question of whether one’s home is adequately protected from flooding is at the forefront of many homeowners’ minds...

August 2005

Good Faith Conduct in Commercial Transactions: The Supreme Court of New Jersey recently reaffirmed the place of the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing in commercial transactions. Implicit in every contract, in every commercial transaction, is the duty of every party to act consistently with the principles of good faith and fair dealing in the negotiation, execution, performance, and enforcement of a contract.

May 2005

New Highlands Interim Regulations: The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection ("DEP") on May 9, 2005 adopted new Highland's regulations which DEP Commissioner Brad Campbell described in yesterday's Star Ledger as "the toughest regulatory standards in the state."

April 2005

The Local Code Enforcement Process may now be used against developers long after the completion of construction and Conveyance of Ownership: The New Jersey Supreme Court has concluded that the Uniform Construction Code Act does grant local officials general authority to cite developers for code violations discovered long after sale of the subject properties.

January 2005

Is Tenant Insurance enough? Most leases spell out the kind of insurance that a tenant must maintain in order to be in compliance with the lease. However...

January 2005

Highlands Litigation: On December 22, 2004, Courter, Kobert & Cohen, P.C. filled a Complaint in the Superior Court of Warren County challenging the retroactive provisions of the Highlands Act.

November 2004

U.S. Supreme Court to review Eminent Domain Decision: The Supreme Court of the United States recently agreed to review a case that could have a broad national impact on property owners. The Court will seek to clarify when localities may take private properties for use in economic development.

August 2004

The New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection has provided additional guidance for development in the Highlands Preservation Area.

August 2004

Govenor McGreevey signed The Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act

June 2004

The Highlands Initiative: The "Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act" would substantially change land development and land use regulations in Northwest New Jersey. The area affected is known as the Highlands Region. The initiative is moving quickly through the legislative process and the legislation is complex and ever changing.

June 2004

Oral Commision Agreements: Pursuant to New Jersey law a real estate broker must have a commission agreement in writing which identifies the amount or rate of commission in order to be entitled to receive payment. N.J.S.A. 25:1-16(b). However, a broker who acts pursuant to an oral agreement, is still entitled to a commission, but only if: