Stark & Stark is proud to congratulate Shareholder Denise Mariani, Esq. on receiving the Community Quarterback Award from the United Way of Greater Mercer County during their 4th Annual United in Impact Awards on April 30th. The United Way of Greater Mercer County is a local non-profit organization that provides programs and opportunities for individuals and families who are working but are unable to afford basic necessities. This award recognizes an individual who has shown true leadership, dedication, and passion for helping the community. “Receiving this award from United Way of Greater ..read more

Construction is a high-hazard industry for workers. There’s no shortage of potential causes of catastrophic injuries. Whether it is the risk of falling from rooftops, being injured by unguarded machinery, being struck by heavy construction equipment, being electrocuted, or inhaling silica dust or asbestos, workers risk their lives every time they step onto a construction site. Statistics from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics bear this out. Of the 5,486 fatal work injuries reported in the U.S. in 2022, 1,056 (19 percent) were construction workers. That means between two and three constructio ..read more

Dogs are often called man’s best friend, but unfortunately, even the most beloved pets can sometimes cause harm. In New Jersey, like in many other states, there are laws in place to protect individuals who suffer injuries from dog bites. Understanding these laws is crucial for both dog owners and victims of dog bites. Let’s look at the specifics of New Jersey’s personal injury dog bite law and what it means for you. The Basics of New Jersey Dog Bite Law In New Jersey, the law regarding dog bites is outlined under statute N.J.S.A. 4:19-16. This statute holds dog owners strictly liable for injur ..read more

After a year of uncertainty, the FTC has issued a Final Rule banning employment non-competes nationwide. The Commission has determined that non-competes themselves constitute an unfair method of competition in violation of Section 5 of the FTC Act. Citing to wage suppression, stifling innovation, and inhibiting start-up creation as factors, the FTC’s sweeping Rule is a game changer for many businesses in the United States that previously relied on non-competes as a mechanism to protect business information and processes. Under the new Rule, all non-competes, even those which pre-date the effe ..read more

Express, Inc., the fashion mall retailer, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the District of Delaware Bankruptcy Court, docket #24-10831 (KBO) on April 22, 2024. This is the second retailer bankruptcy filing that our office has called since publishing our Retailers to Watch for a Possible Bankruptcy Filing in 2024 article, posted on March 1, 2024. That’s a batting average better that Yankee’s superstar Aaron Judge, so far this season. According to Reuters, the retailer intends to close more than 100 stores. Express’ portfolio includes brands such as Express, Bonobos, and UpWest Expr ..read more

Stark & Stark is pleased to welcome John Lowenberg, Esq., to our Hamilton office. John is a member of the Accident & Personal Injury Group, where he represents clients who have suffered from catastrophic injuries, including death, resulting from auto accidents, product liability, and premises liability. Prior to joining Stark & Stark, John worked as the Deputy Attorney General for the Transportation, Construction, and Condemnation Section in the office of the New Jersey Attorney General. In this position, he represented the New Jersey Department of Transportation and the New Jersey ..read more

Stark & Stark is pleased to welcome James Evans, Esq., to our Hamilton office. James is a member of the Nursing Home Litigation Group, where he concentrates his practice on negligence, neglect, and abuse claims with an emphasis on wrongful death, elopements, falls, and bedsores, arising in nursing homes, assisted-living facilities, dementia care homes, and group homes. Prior to joining Stark & Stark, James litigated such claims on behalf of injured individuals and their families. Stark & Stark is excited to have James join our team. Welcome to the firm! The post Stark & Stark W ..read more

On April 12, 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced settled charges against five registered investment advisers for violations of the Marketing Rule. The firms have agreed to settle and pay a combined $200,000 in penalties, as well as cease and desist from violating the charged provisions, and to implement corrective actions to their compliance policies and procedures. According to the order, the five firms advertised hypothetical performance to the general public on their websites without adopting and implementing policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure that the ..read more

On April 17-19 at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, the New Jersey Association for Justice (NJAJ) will host its annual Boardwalk Seminar, which consists of 29 programs presented for trial attorneys, featuring local, regional, and national speakers. Below are the programs our Stark & Stark attorneys will be co-chairing and speaking at. Bruce Stern is Co-Chair of the NJAJ Boardwalk Seminar. You can click here to register. Wednesday 4/17 Domenic Sanginiti, Jr., Co-Chair – Jury Consultant: Story Telling, One Frame at a Time Bryan Roberts, Co-Chair – Trucking Program   Thursday 4/18 Debora ..read more

On April 3, 2024, the Securities and Exchange Commission announced charges against a registered investment adviser for recordkeeping failures regarding personal device communications and pre-clearance of securities transactions in employees’ personal accounts. The firm was charged and agreed to pay a $6.5 million dollar penalty and to implement improvements to its compliance policies and procedures. Moreover, the adviser agreed to retain a compliance consultant to conduct reviews of its policies and procedures. Facts For almost two years, employees at all levels were found to be communicating ..read more