In The News

William F. Cook served as a speaker for the Camden County Bar Association’s Civil Practice Update on May 6, 2024.  This annual seminar covered key developments in New Jersey appellate cases in various practice areas including employment law, commercial litigation, complex litigation, and trial advocacy.  Mr. Cook also discussed recent changes to the New Jersey Court Rules and potential upcoming rule changes of importance to practitioners.  Mr. Cook is a partner with the firm and a co-chair of the CCBA’s Civil Practice Committee.

On April 9, 2024, Louis R. Lessig, Esq. served as the keynote speaker for an employment law seminar hosted by Emerson HR and held at the Cherry Hill Library. The seminar, titled “Cracking the Code: Navigating the Latest Employment Law Minefields with Ethical Finesse,” was credit approved by both the Society for Human Resources Management (SHRM) and for ethics credit for the Human Resources Certification Institute (HRCI). During the seminar, Mr. Lessig delved into the intersection of employment law and ethical activities arising from hot topic issues and provided clarity on navigating various employment laws.

Mr. Lessig is a partner of the firm and he concentrates his practice in labor and employment counseling, litigation, negotiations and training. Mr. Lessig currently serves as the Northeast Membership Advisory Council (MAC) representative for SHRM and is the immediate past New Jersey State Director for GSC-SHRM. He is also an active member of National Speakers Association

On April 5, 2024, the New Jersey Supreme Court rescinded its grant of certification in In the Matter of James Harnett (Supreme Court Docket No.: 087997).  The case challenged a Civil Service Commission regulation that affords public employers the discretion to accept or deny an employee’s request to rescind a previously offered resignation.

In this case, a ranking police officer sent an email to his Chief that he was retiring in two weeks and would take vacation during those weeks.  He also cleaned out his office and turned in his badge and gun.  Shortly thereafter, he had a change of heart and wanted to rescind his resignation.  Relying on the Civil Service Commission regulation, Pennsauken Township denied his request.  The employee appealed to the Civil Service Commission claiming that he never used the word “resignation.”  Rather, he indicated that he was “retiring” and that under the State Pension rules, he was entitled to rescind his retirement at any time leading up to his first pension check.

The Civil Service Commission upheld the Township’s action as lawful.  The matter was appealed and the State FOP joined in as amicus curiae.  The Appellate Division, in an unpublished opinion, upheld the Township’s action and the determination of the Civil Service Commission.  The New Jersey Supreme Court accepted certification of the case and oral argument was held.  The Supreme Court determined that certification was not appropriate and, in an unusual move, vacated its certification decision and effectively upheld the decision of the Appellate Division in favor of the Township.

Michael J. DiPiero, Esq., a partner of the firm, argued the matter at the Appellate Division and the Supreme Court.  Andrew S. Brown, Esq., an associate of the firm, also assisted on the matter.  This decision supports management rights in public sector employment decisions.  The unpublished opinion of the Appellate Division and the Order of the Supreme Court in this matter can be found here: https://www.njcourts.gov/ht/node/867381.

Arlette Leyba, Esq. recently attended the Hispanic National Bar Association’s (“HNBA’s”) Corporate Counsel Conference in Seattle, Washington. She began her journey with the HNBA as a law student, volunteering at various conferences and holding multiple positions in the Law Student Division. After law school, she was appointed Deputy Secretary and Law School Liaison.

This year, Ms. Leyba serves as the CLE Co-Chair, where she selected 17 panels out of over 70 submissions for the conference. She analyzed the submissions covering a multitude of topics, including employment law, anti-trust, artificial intelligence, recent Supreme Court decisions, and attorney wellness. In addition, Ms. Leyba participated in selecting the panelists and gathering materials for CLE accreditation submission. Nearly 90 seasoned attorneys from law firms and businesses nationwide spoke at this year’s conference. She will continue to serve as the CLE Co-chair for the HNBA’s Annual Conference in September.

Ms. Leyba is an associate with the firm and concentrates her practice in labor and employment, complex civil litigation, and financial services and banking.

Brown & Connery is pleased to announce that four of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion on the 2024 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists. Each year, no more than 5% of practicing attorneys in New Jersey are selected to the Super Lawyers list and no more than 2.5% are selected to the Rising Stars list.

The Brown & Connery attorneys recognized as Super Lawyers and Rising Stars in 2024 include:

• William M. Tambussi, Partner – Employment & Labor, Super Lawyer
• Louis R. Lessig, Partner – Employment & Labor, Super Lawyer
• Alyssa I. Lott, Associate – Employment & Labor, Rising Star
• J.T. Triantos, Associate – General Litigation, Rising Star

The 2024 New Jersey Super Lawyers publication, in its entirety, can be found here.

Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters company, recognizes the top attorneys nationwide, across a variety of practice areas and firm sizes, using a patented process of independent research and peer input. A description of the selection process and methodology can be found here. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

In honor of Women’s History Month, Brown & Connery hosted the Female Partners & Associates Lunch: A Firm Roundtable at Tavistock Country Club. The event featured speakers, Susan Leming, Kathleen Dohn, Julie Montgomery, Stephanie Meredith, Therese Taraschi and was moderated by Kayla Louis. This robust conversation provided a forum for the partners to share with the associates women who inspired them, important lessons/advice learned throughout their career, effective ways to build business, and methods to maintain balance between career and personal lives. The panel discussion was followed by an informative Q&A session.

Congratulations to Bill Tambussi on being this year’s recipient of the Honorable Jerome B. Simandle Award!  Mr. Tambussi was honored at the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey’s 47^th Annual Judicial Conference on March 19, 2024 at the Park Avenue Club in Florham Park, New Jersey. AFBNJ President Victor Afanador presented the award to Mr. Tambussi.

The Simandle Award is presented annually to a lawyer or jurist who has exemplified exceptional service to the bench and bar of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.

On March 2, 2024, Shawn C. Huber, Esq. made a presentation titled “Intro to Civil Trial” at a seminar for the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (NJICLE). The seminar was conducted as part of “New Attorney Day.” A program designed to help newly admitted attorneys in New Jersey fast-track their Mandatory Continuing Legal Education (MCLE) requirements.

Mr. Huber is a partner of the firm and concentrates his practice in personal injury, commercial litigation, municipal law, and subrogation matters. He has been certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney since 2011. Mr. Huber is a regular speaker for the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, National Business Institute, and the Camden County Bar Association.

Brown & Connery had several new associates of the firm sworn-in to the United States District Court for the District of Jersey.  During the ceremony, which took place at the Mitchell H. Cohen Building & U.S. Courthouse in Camden, New Jersey, the Honorable Christine P. O’Hearn, former partner of Brown & Connery, administered the oath for the following associates of the firm: Kaitlyn V.R. Sibley, Arlette Leyba, Jacob R. Schmidt, Jose A. Jimenez, Madison T. Rupert, Taylor L. Johnson, and Katina E. Chase. Numerous other attorneys of the firm gathered at the ceremony to celebrate the associates being sworn-in.