98 East Water Street, Toms River,
NJ 08753

Governmental Law

Rothstein, Mandell, Strom, Halm & Cipriani has represented municipal clients for over 70 years. The firm currently represents the Townships of Berkeley, Stafford and Little Egg Harbor, and the Boroughs of Bay Head, Mantoloking, Seaside Heights and South River, as well as the South Toms River Sewerage Authority and the Toms River Fire District #1. Attorneys in the firm previously served as General Counsel to the South Jersey Transportation Authority, which owns and operates the Atlantic City Expressway and the Atlantic City International Airport and have provided representation for various school districts including Central Regional Board of Education and the Toms River Regional School District.

Partner Jean Cipriani and Melanie Szuba Appleby, of Counsel, have received the “Diplomate in New Jersey Local Government Law” designation under a program sponsored by the Center for Government Services of Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey and the New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys (NJILGA).

Litigation representation of public entities and individuals has included all aspects of civil litigation in both State and Federal Courts. The firm has represented public entities and individuals in all types of lawsuits, including personal injury accidents, slips and falls, dangerous conditions of public property, environmental claims, claims under the ADA and CEPA, and claims brought against public entities for violations of individual’s civil rights pursuant to Section 1983 of the United States Code.

Representation of municipal clients has included contract and legal negotiations; development and codification of municipal ordinances and rules and regulations concerning all facets of public sector administration; negotiation of labor contracts; resolution of labor disputes and disciplinary actions; tax appeals, inter- governmental litigation and dispute resolution; land use matters, including appearances before Municipal Planning Boards; and appearances before the Superior Court and Supreme Court of New Jersey, the Federal District Court, 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals, and various administrative and State agencies.

Legal staff is familiar with the laws, regulations and procedures applicable to New Jersey public entities, including, but not limited to, the Open Public Meetings Act, Open Public Records Act, Tort Claims Act, Civil Service laws and regulations, Public Contracts Law, Municipal Land Use Law, Local Lands and Buildings Law, the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, Conscientious Employee Protection Act, and the Local Budget Law. As a firm that represents local and State public entities, we are very conversant with the public bidding and procurement requirements, including those relating to “Pay to Play,” as contained in Title 19, Chapter 44A. Additionally, as a firm which represents public entities, legal staff stays abreast of the latest development in state and federal constitutional law, including but not limited to: First Amendment issues as to signage, free speech, public and quasi-public forums; Equal Protection issues and regulations which affect categories of persons differently; and general State constitutional prohibitions on use of public funds for private purpose. Also, our representation of municipalities requires us to be familiar with employee benefit laws and to be aware of the rapidly changing landscape surrounding pensions, health benefit coverage and contributions and sick leave compensation.

The firm is extremely familiar with municipal law requirements and takes steps to remain aware of all relevant changes in statutory, regulatory and cases impacting municipal law.

Governmental law

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98 East Water Street
Toms River, NJ  08753

Office: 732.363.0777

Fax: 732.905.6555

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