Category: Uncategorized

We are proud to announce that Kevin B. Riordan, Esq., a respected and highly experienced attorney, has joined Rothstein, Mandell, Strohm, Halm & Cipriani, P.A. as Of Counsel effective September 1, 2025!

With over 30 years of legal experience and certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Lawyer, Kevin is widely recognized throughout our community for his legal knowledge, strategic insight and unwavering commitment to client success.  His practice spans a broad range of areas with a primary focus on personal injury and civil litigation.

Mr. Riordan has built a reputation for excellence and integrity making him a versatile and valuable resource for our clients, and his addition to our firm strengthens our ability to continue to provide comprehensive, results-driven legal representation across a wide range of matters.

For more information or to schedule a consultation, please contact our office at (732) 363-0777.

Congratulations to Jean L. Cipriani, Esq. on this well-deserved recognition!  Your unwavering commitment to empowering women across diverse fields is truly inspiring.  As a dedicated partner at a primarily women managed law firm, you exemplify leadership, integrity, and advocacy – not just through your legal work, but your continual efforts to uplift others.  Your achievements are a powerful reminder of what’s possible when excellence meets purpose.

It’s inevitable…

At some point in our lives, we all realize that life does not always go as we thought it would.  Crazy events, curve balls and various roadblocks can interfere with how we envisioned our life as we age.  With a plan, chances are we can offset some of the more unpleasant and unexpected situations.  Working with an expert to establish a Long-Term Care and Estate Plan in advance can be extremely beneficial and can potentially alleviate undue burden and stress for yourself, as well as your loved ones, as you mature.

Trying to navigate the labyrinth of documents and concepts – wills and trusts, guardianships and conservatorships, powers of attorney, advanced directives for healthcare- just to name a few – can feel insurmountable for a person advanced in age as well as for their adult child(ren).  The overwhelming feeling of developing a plan can be minimized by consulting with an Estate Planning/Long-Term Care specialist.  Comfort can be found in having an advocate helping you through these difficult times to avoid getting lost and discouraged.

Today more than ever, given increased costs of personal services, together with unscrupulous people preying upon our seniors and those with disabilities, it is essential for everyone to have a plan so they can stay safe and age in peace.  Knowing that your future is secure eases the unknowns associated with the inevitable final season of life.

RMSHC specializes in assisting individuals and their families navigate the options available to them given their own unique familial and financial circumstances.  Therefore, plan ahead, and contact our office to arrange for a consultation with an expert to assist you with your Long-Term Care and Estate Plan. Our experienced attorneys can be reached at 732-363-0777.

Rothstein, Mandell, Strohm, Halm & Cipriani, P.A. is excited to announce that Elizabeth A. Muller, Esq. has joined our team as an Associate with the Firm!

Elizabeth is extremely ambitious and has already begun to acquire additional experience in a variety of legal matters, including, landlord/tenant law, municipal law, Trusts and Estates and various litigation matters.

In 2014, Elizabeth earned her B.A. degree in English from Columbia University.  Prior to pursuing a career in law, Elizabeth worked in publishing and marketing.  In 2023, Elizabeth served as a Legal Intern at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey, Camden and as a Judicial Intern to the Honorable Justice Lee Solomon, Supreme Court of New Jersey.

In 2025, Elizabeth earned her J. D. from Rutgers Law School and shortly thereafter, joined RMSHC.  Elizabeth is eager to grow with the Firm and provide our clients with the utmost care and consideration for their individual needs. Elizabeth appreciates analyzing various matters and complex issues in an effort to provide exceptional service and support to the Firm’s current and future clients.

RMSHC is again thrilled about the addition of another exceptional young attorney.  We look forward to working with Elizabeth and assisting in nurturing her legal career.  Welcome, Elizabeth!

If you are a homeowner and need to apply to the Zoning Board of Adjustment for a variance for any reason, such as a swimming pool, fence or shed, you do not NEED to have a lawyer, but you might want one!

While it’s not a legal requirement to have a lawyer for a zoning variance in New Jersey, there are certain situations where having legal counsel can be beneficial:

Complex or Controversial Variances: If your zoning variance involves complex issues, such as a use variance, where you’re asking for permission to use land in a way that is not permitted under the zoning ordinance, having a lawyer with experience and knowledge in land use law can help ease the process.

Significant Variance Requests: if you’re asking for a use variance or several bulk variances, a lawyer can help frame your request in a way that increases your chances of approval and ensure you’re complying with all relevant legal standards.

Opposition from Neighbors or the Public: if there is strong opposition from neighbors or community groups a lawyer can help you address concerns, handle public hearings, and effectively argue your case before the zoning board. They can also help ensure that you are following all legal steps to notify neighbors.

Navigating Legal Precedents: Zoning decisions are sometimes based on case law or previous decisions in similar cases. A lawyer with zoning experience can reference these precedents to support your request.

Appeals and Legal Challenges: If your application is denied and you want to appeal the decision, a lawyer will be essential to navigate the appeals process, which involves filing a legal challenge in the New Jersey courts.

In New Jersey, land use law can be highly complex. While you certainly are not required to hire a lawyer, it can improve your chances of a successful outcome. RMSHC specializes in using the legal tools and options necessary to best navigate the law as it relates to your personal land use projects.

Plan ahead and contact our office to schedule a consultation with one of our firm’s experienced attorneys, please contact our office at 732-363-0777. Continue reading →

RMSHC is proud to announce that our associate, Brandon A. Klimakowski, Esq., was the recipient of the 2025  John M. Hoffman Memorial Young Lawyer of the Year Award presented by the Ocean County Bar Association!

Since joining the Firm in 2022, Brandon has proven himself to be a true asset to the Firm and our clients through his hard work, positive attitude, team mentality and dedication to our community and clients.  He has successfully addressed various matters involving municipalities, individuals, and corporations in multiple aspects of the legal field.  Brandon’s attention to detail and multiple accomplishments truly set him apart, and we are honored to have him as a member of our team.

To schedule a consultation with one of our Firm’s experienced attorneys, please contact our office at 732-363-0777.

Firm Partner, Melanie Szuba Appleby, is looking forward to instructing on behalf of the New Jersey Planning Officials (NJPO) at the League of Municipalities in November. Ms. Appleby has been an instructor for NJPO for the past six years and regularly teaches part of the mandatory class for new Zoning and Planning Board members, which is designed to assist new land use board members when hearing applications and making determinations. This year at the League, Ms. Appleby is part of a panel instructing Municipal Land Use Law and requirements related to proofs when seeking variance relief.

Firm Partner, Jean L. Cipriani, will be speaking at the 109th Annual Conference of the League of Municipalities on behalf of both the Institute of Local Government Attorneys and the League itself. In conjunction with League Deputy General Counsel, Trishka Waterbury Cecil, Ms. Cipriani will be presenting the Newly Elected Officials Primer on Ethics and The Powers & Duties of the Governing Body and The Open Public Meetings Act: Slippery Slopes and Tricky Issues.

To schedule a consultation with one of our firm’s experienced attorneys, please contact our office at 732-363-0777.