MASCOLO NAMED TO NJBIZ 2009 “FORTY UNDER 40”

RAMLaw partner, J. Silvio Mascolo, was named by NJBIZ Magazine as a member of the 2009 class of “Forty Under 40.” He accepted the award at a ceremony on September 10, 2009. The Forty Under 40 awards program recognizes men and women working in New Jersey who have been making headlines in their field and who share a commitment to business growth, professional excellence the community. The honorees are selected from an independent panel of judges. Mr. Mascolo concentrates his practice in personal injury law and civil litigation. He is certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Civil Trial Attorney. He can be reached at jmascolo@ramlawnj.com or 732-247-3600.

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REBENACK OBTAINS $410,000 SETTLEMENT FOR HEAD INJURY LAWSUIT

RAM Law’s client was stopped at a traffic light on Route 206 in Hillsborough, NJ in May 2007. Preoccupied with his cell phone, the driver of a tractor-trailer rear-ended the client requiring the jaws of life for extrication. The client was airlifted to RWJ and conservatively treated for two brain bleeds. In addition to the head trauma, the client was subsequently diagnosed and treated for fibromyalgia. RAM Law attempted to settle the client’s claims directly with the tractor-trailer’s insurance company. Unfortunately, the insurance carrier offered a paltry $23,900. RAM Law instituted suit and after about one year of aggressive litigation, the insurance company ultimately offered $410,000 to avoid trial.

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MASCOLO OBTAINS $157,500 SETTLEMENT FOR AUTOMOBILE NEGLIGENCE LAWSUIT

RAM Law’s client was operating an automobile on Route 27 in New Brunswick on May 16, 2005 when his vehicle was struck on the passenger’s side by an automobile that failed to stop at a stop sign. The client was taken by ambulance to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital following the accident. Thereafter, he came under the care of Dr. Douglas Spiel. Dr. Spiel diagnosed two thoracic disc herniations and an aggravation of pre-existing lumbar disc herniations. The client underwent an extensive course of pain management treatment consisting of a series of epidural and nerve block injections and a percutaneous discectomy surgery. The Defendant argued that the Plaintiff’s disc injuries and treatment was not causally related to the accident and a result of prior injuries. The case settled prior to trial for $157,500.

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REBENACK INSTALLED AS MCBA PRESIDENT, ARONOW REAPPOINTED AS TRUSTEE

On May 20, 2009, RAM LAW partner, Edward J. Rebenack was installed as president of the Middlesex County Bar Association at Seabra’s Armory in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. Ed is the youngest president in the history of the MCBA. The party was well-attended by many Middlesex County Superior Court judges, New Jersey State Bar Association officers and trustees, family, friends and New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Barry Albin. During his remarks, Ed noted the importance of the county bars building strong continuing legal education programs as the Supreme Court is very likely to impose mandatory CLE on New Jersey attorneys in the near future. MCLE prgramming will provide a benefit to bar assocation members and grow the ranks of the membership. The band Golden Seal, led by local attorney Joe Hughes, provided the entertainment. RAM LAW partner, Craig M. Aronow, was reappointed as an MCBA trustee for an additional term.

MASCOLO SPEAKS AS PANELIST ON CIVIL TRIAL SEMINARS AT NEW JERSEY INSTITUTE FOR CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION

J. Silvio Mascolo served as a panel speaker for three separate seminars at New Jersey ICLE. On February 17, 2009, Jay spoke at “The ABCs of Settlement Negotiations for Young Lawyers.” On March 16, 2009, he spoke at the first of two civil trial practice seminars, on Opening Statements and Closing Arguments. On April 15, 2009 he spoke at the second of these seminars, on Direct and Cross Examinations. The seminars were organized by the New Jersey State Bar Association, Young Lawyers Division. Jay is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney.

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RAM LAW REPRESENTS DEFAMED EDISON ACTIVISTS

From the Sentinel

Activists sue over criminal complaint
Pair seeking $250K each after charges by twp. were dismissed
BY CHRIS GAETANO Staff Writer

Anthony Russomanno and Bill Stephens, local Edison Township activists and, until recently, the subject of a criminal complaint from the township government, announced on Jan. 27 that they intend to sue the municipality.

The pair announced their plans outside the New Jersey Convention and Exposition Center, where Mayor Jun Choi was about to give his 2009 State of the Township address. It was at that same location about a year ago, when the mayor was about to deliver his 2008 address, that the incident sparking the criminal complaint leading to the pair’s lawsuit took place. That night, Stephens and Russomanno held a protest against what they said was an unreasonably high tax rate that had been proposed by Choi.

The event was advertised by using a flier that had the Edison Township seal upon it.

About a month later, the pair was notified of a criminal complaint that had been lodged against them by township Business Administrator Anthony Cancro, charging them with fraud and impersonation over the improper use of the seal. Through a statement, Cancro had said that Stephens and Russomanno deceived the residents into thinking that the rally was a government event.

The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office reviewed the charges and decided to downgrade them to a disorderly persons offense, bumping the case down to the municipal court. Due to obvious conflicts in the case, the hearing was moved to Middlesex Borough, though another conflict had been found there, prompting the case to be moved to Dunellen.

State Superior Court Judge Travis Francis, Middlesex County, heard arguments and read briefs Dec. 19. On Jan. 7, he dismissed all charges against Stephens and Russomanno, saying that the conduct of the two didn’t rise to the level of criminal prosecution.

Stephens and Russomanno said that they have had to spend significant amounts of money in their legal defense and hope to recoup their costs through their own lawsuit, as well as achieve vindication for their view that they truly did nothing wrong. They are seeking $250,000 in damages each. Any money obtained beyond the costs of defending themselves will go to the Edison Community Association, a local community group that has involved itself in a number of causes in the past.

“This is not to benefit me and Anthony in any shape or form,” said Stephens.

The attorney they have retained for this matter, Edward J. Rebenack, with the firm Rebenack, Aronow and Mascolo, served the township clerk with a tort claims notice on Jan. 27. According to Rebenack, the lawsuit will include state-based claims that will allege malicious prosecution, defamation, and civil conspiracy by the administration official. The lawsuit is also anticipated to allege federal law violations such as a violation of Russomanno and Stephens’ constitutional rights to free speech and association.

The attorney said he expects Cancro as well as Choi to be named in the suit, but noted that he will be investigating over the next several weeks who else may have been involved in the decision to launch a criminal complaint against his clients, and those people will likely be the target of the suit as well, both individually and in their official capacities.

Rebenack said it will be a long time before the case is ready to be heard in a courtroom, noting that the next step is a long period of investigation deposition.

“This is going to go on for a long time. There’s quite a bit of discovery, a lot of people to depose, there’s a lot of documents to review, so there will be quite a period of time before we go into a courtroom with a jury,” said Rebenack.

RAM LAW IN THE NEW JERSEY LAW JOURNAL 2/1/2009

The Edison Niche

Bare-knuckle politics in the state’s fifth largest city have made plenty of work for lawyers over the years, and current scrap is continuing the tradition. Edison Township filed criminal charges last year accusing two political opponents of Mayor Jun Choi of fraud and violation of a municipal ordinance by using a reproduction of the municipal seal on a flyer advertising an antitax rally. Defendants William Stephens and Anthony Russomanno turned to criminal defense lawyer Steven Altman of Benedict & Altman in New Brunswick, who won acquittals on all charges, but it wasn’t quick. The case spent a year meandering through municipal and state courts and ended up before Middlesex County Assignment Judge Travis Francis. He dismissed the charges last month.

Altman isn’t saying how much he billed for the work, but Russomanno says defense cost $8,500. The complaining witness, Township Administrator Anthony Cancro, paid his fees out of his own pocket, according to his lawyer, Akinyemi Akiwowo of Coughlin Duffy in Morristown. On Wednesday, a new attorney entered the fray. Stephens and Russomanno hired Edward Rebenack of Rebenack, Aronow, & Mascolo in New Brunswick to file a notice of tort claim. It accused the township of malicious prosecution and estimated that the damages were $500,000.

RAM LAW COACHED RUTGERS MOCK TRIAL TEAM FINISHES SECOND

The Rutgers University undergraduate mock trial team competed at Fordham University’s Invitational from January 31st to February 1st. Rutgers entered three competition squads. The squads were based upon levels of experience with the most veteran competitors comprising the A-Squad and the least experienced on the C-Squad. The competition consisted of four trials with two judges scoring each trial. The Rutgers A-Squad finished 2nd out of the 23 squads that competed in the Invitational, just five points behind the first place team. This is an improvement upon last year’s sixth place finish. The Squad won on 7 of the 8 judges’ scorecards over its four trials. The 23 squads hailed from colleges and universities, including the University of Pennsylvania, Fordham University, Colgate University, New York University and Brandeis University. RAM LAW partner, Craig Aronow, is the team’s primary coach. Jay Mascolo, or RAM LAW, and Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor, Kimberly Yonta, assist with the coaching. The trials revolved around a public figure’s claim for defamation and involved challenging evidentiary issues and strategy decisions.

Alyssa Disturco, Matt Feldman, Joe Kammerman, Jessica Ma, RAM Law's Craig Aronow, Danielle Levine, Meredith Neely and Megan Kosovich

The Rutgers A-Squad employed a hard-nosed and aggressive style in both their examinations and evidentiary objections. They were very effective at short circuiting the opposing schools’ examinations through a superior knowledge of the rules of evidence and trial strategy. Several Rutgers team members received individual awards including a Top Attorney Award and an Outstanding Witness Award. The team is now beginning to prepare for the American Mock Trial Association’s regional competition which will be held at St. John’s University in the end of February. The team would like to thank all of the local attorneys and law firms that have generously donated money, as well as the New Jersey State Bar Foundation and the Middlesex County Bar Foundation. Without these donations the team would not be able to travel to these competitions.

See article in Rutgers’ Daily Targum:
www.dailytargum.com/news/students_simulate_courtroom_experience-1.1359712

REBENACK’S ARTICLE ON INSURANCE FRAUD PUBLISHED IN MCBA ADVOCATE

RAM LAW partner, Edward Rebenack, an expert on law governing fraudulent insurance claims has published an article in the Middlesex County Bar Association’s Advocate. The article can be found at http://www.mcbalaw.com/associations/7471/Feb09.pdf

RAM LAW Sponsors Street Hockey Team

 

RAM LAW proudly sponsors a team in the Central Jersey Street Hockey Association (www.cjsha.com).  The CJSHA plays

Team RAM LAW

out of Veteran’s Park in Hamilton, New Jersey .  The league is made up of locally sponsored teams that play from October to April every Sunday morning.  Along with league play, Team RAM LAW competes in several charity tournaments.  In September, the players raise money for autism by playing in the annual EDEN Family of Services Draft Tournament.  At the end of August, Team RAM LAW participated in the Enterprise Volunteer Fire Department Tournament for the Cure to raise money for breast cancer research.  Currently, the CJSHA is participating in the American Red Cross of Central New Jersey’s Adopt a Troop Campaign.  Throughout the month of December, players will be donating items such as candy, playing cards, shaving cream and other “comforts of home” to the Red Cross in an effort to make the holidays a little more like  home for our armed forces.

BECOME A FAN OF RAM LAW ON FACEBOOK!

RAM LAW has a launched a Facebook page.  Become a fan and keep up-to-date on happenings at the Firm.  View photos of our staff, see testimonials from clients and contact our attorneys.  Use this link to access the page http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/New-Brunswick-NJ/RAM-Law/18889459974

Aronow and Rebenack Present Seminar on Expert Witness Depositions

RAM LAW partners Craig Aronow and Edward Rebenack presented a seminar to the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division on how to depose expert witnesses.  The seminar focused on practical techniques that trial lawyers and litigators can use to set an expert up for favorable testimony or cross examination at trial.  The seminar will be given for the Middlesex County Bar Association on Thursday, April 30th at the MCBA offices.  For information go to www.mcbalaw.com/cde.cfm?event=243821

RAM Law News

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MASCOLO WINS JURY TRIAL IN MONMOUTH COUNTY

Partner, J. Silvio Mascolo, defended an individual who was operating an automobile that struck the rear of another vehicle.  Two passengers in the vehicle that was rear-ended claimed to have sustained permanent neck and back injuries as a result of the car accident.   Following a four day trial before Judge John Mullaney, Jr., the jury returned a verdict in favor of Jay’s client finding that the defendant’s negligence did not cause the injuries claimed by the two passengers.  The jury deliberated for 35 minutes.  Jay is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney.  RAM Law congratulates Jay on the trial victory.  

PARTNERS, EDWARD J. REBENACK AND J. SILVIO MASCOLO, NAMED AS RISING STARS

Edward J. Rebenack and J. Silvio Mascolo were named Rising Stars in New Jersey Super Lawyers magazine. This distinction is voted upon by the top 5% of attorneys in New Jersey designated as Super Lawyers.  Lawyers are asked to nominate other lawyers they have personally observed in action – whether as opposing counsel or co-counsel, or through other firsthand courtroom observation. Following the survey, an attorney-led research team reviews the credentials of potential candidates and makes its selections based upon a defined evaluation criteria. No more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are named to the list. RAM Law congratulates Ed and Jay for this distinction.

RAM LAW PARTNER, CRAIG ARONOW, ELECTED TO NJSBA NOMINATING COMMITTEE

On October 17th, at the New Jersey State Bar Association’s General Council Meeting, Craig Aronow was elected to the NJSBA Nominating Committee.  The election was hotly contested, however, Craig enjoyed

Kimberly Yonta Aronow, Craig Aronow and Amy Cores at NJSBA General Council

widespread support amongst the county bar associations, the NJSBA Young Lawyers Division and the specialty sections of the NJSBA.  His opponent was Brian Neary of Hudson County.  The Nominating Committee selects the leaders of the NJSBA, including the next secretary, who will eventually go on to be the NJSBA president.  RAM LAW congratulates Craig on his victory.

RAM LAW ASSOCIATE, RYAN LOXAM, WINS HIS FIRST JURY TRIAL

Ryan Loxam, RAM Law associate, won his first jury trial on June 5th in Paterson, New Jersey.  Ryan tried the personal injury matter before a Passaic County jury.  The jury returned its verdict in favor of Ryan’s client in just 8 minutes.  RAM Law congratulates Ryan on what will certainly be the first of many victories.  On the same day, RAM Law partner, Craig Aronow, also received a favorable jury verdict in Middlesex County.

EDWARD REBENACK INSTALLED AS MCBA PRESIDENT-ELECT

RAM Law partner, Edward Rebenack was installed as the president-elect of the Middlesex County Bar Association on May 28th.  In May of 2009, Ed will be installed as the president of the MCBA.  RAM Law commends Ed and wishes him luck in his year as president-elect.  Craig Aronow continues as an MCBA trustee.

ARONOW MODERATES PANEL ON LAW FIRM MANAGEMENT AND MARKETING

Craig Aronow moderated a panel at the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Annual Convention on managing a law firm and marketing legal services.  The convention was held at the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City from May 21st through May 23rd.  The speakers included RAM Law partner, Edward Rebenack, members of the Flying Turtles Marketing, LMC Financial, Aronow Business Advisors and the Office of Attorney Ethics.  The panel discussion was well-attended and received raving reviews.

CRAIG ARONOW RECEIVES NJSBA AWARD FOR SERVICE TO THE BAR

In recognition for his years of service to the NJSBA and the MCBA, the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Division awarded RAM Law partner, Craig Aronow, the Service to the Bar Award.  Craig received the award at the NJSBA Annual Convention in Atlantic City on May 23rd.  RAM Law commends Craig on his accomplishment.

RAM LAW PARTNER, CRAIG ARONOW, APPOINTED AS PRESIDENT OF BNI NEW BRUNSWICK CHAPTER

BNI’s premier Middlesex County chapter has appointed Craig Aronow to serve as its president for the April-September 2008 term.  The chapter consists of over 40 members and meets once a week at the Clarion Hotel in Edison on Route 27.  BNI is a professional networking organization with local chapters throughout the world.  Chapter membership is limited to one member per profession and members are encouraged to assist each other in growing their businesses.  RAM Law partners, Edward Rebenack and Jay Mascolo, belong to the Hillsborough and Metuchen chapters of BNI, respectively.

RAM LAW PARTNER, CRAIG ARONOW, SPEAKS ON LEGAL CAREER PANEL AT RUTGERS
On December 6th, at 9 p.m., in the Rutgers College Avenue Student Center , Craig Aronow spoke to Rutgers students on the practice of civil law. Mr. Aronow was joined by three other local attorneys, at the request of the Rutgers University Pre-Law Society, in a round table discussion, as well as a question and answer session. The purpose of the panel was to allow interested students to ask questions about the ups and downs of a career in the law, as well as, the various paths that a student can take to obtain a particular position in the legal profession.

ARONOW TO PRESENT DEPOSITION SEMINAR FOR MIDDLESEX COUNTY BAR AND NEW JERSEY STATE BAR ASSOCIATION
Based upon strong attendance at the fall presentation of his deposition seminar, the MCBA and NJSBA have both requested that the seminar be presented in the spring. Thus, the seminar was presented on January 24, 2007, at 5 p.m., in the Middlesex County Bar Associations’s office in New Brunswick . This is the link to the event information page http://www.mcbalaw.com/cde.cfm?event=193123 . That event was open to MCBA members. The presenters were Craig Aronow and Anthony Locascio.

RUTGERS MOCK TRIAL TEAM EXCELS AT FIRST COMPETITION OF ‘07-’08 YEAR
The Rutgers University undergraduate mock trial team, now in its third year of existence, competed at Lafayette College’s Cartoon Classic mock trial competition, from Nov. 30 th through December 2 nd .. The team entered three competition squads. The Rutgers A-Squad finished 6th out of the 24 squads that competed in the Cartoon Classic. The 24 squads hailed from seven colleges and universities, including Penn State , Villanova, Johns Hopkins, Hamilton College , Colby College and Lafayette College. RAM LAW partner, Craig Aronow, is the team’s primary coach. Attorney, Ida Cambria, and Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor, Kimberly Yonta, assist with the coaching. The coaches have helped the team prepare both a prosecution and defense case for the fact pattern which revolves around a penalty phase trial. Each squad tries four cases in the competition, two for the prosecution and two for the defense. The A-Squad had a record of 2 wins, 1 tie and 1 loss, while the B-Squad and C-Squad were both 2-2.

Employing an aggressive and well-polished style the Rutgers ‘ A and B Squads were very effective at shutting down opposing schools’ examinations through a superior knowledge of the rules of evidence and trial strategy. Several Rutgers team members received individual awards including a Top Attorney Award, an Outstanding Attorney Award and an Outstanding Witness Award. The team is now beginning to prepare for the American Mock Trial Association’s regional competition which will be held at St. John’s University in the end of February. The team would like to thank all of the local attorneys and law firms that have generously donated money. Without these donations the team would not be able to travel to these competitions.

ARONOW OBTAINS DEFENSE VERDICT IN PASSAIC COUNTY TRIAL
A Passaic County jury returned a verdict for the defense in just over 30 minutes, finding that a landlord, represented by RAM LAW, did not have notice of a dangerous condition in a tenant’s stairway. The tenant, claimed to have suffered a fractured wrist, arthritis and other related injuries, when she slipped on loose carpeting on a stairway. The tenant also claimed that she advised the landlord on several ocassions that the carpeting on the stairway was loose. The jury, after having heard lay witness and expert testimony, determined that there was loose carpeting on the stairway, but that the tenant never told the landlord about it.

MASCOLO GETS A “NO CAUSE” IN MERCER COUNTY
RAM LAW partner and certified civil trial attorney, Jay Mascolo, obtained a defense verdict of “no cause of action” from a Mercer County jury after a three day trial. The plaintiffs, a husband and wife, claimed that they were injured in a low impact accident. Jay persuaded the jury that the plaintiffs did not suffer permanent injuries in the accident, depsite their extensive medical treatment and their complaints of neck and back pain.

ARONOW GIVES SEMINAR ON “HOW TO TAKE A DEPOSITION“
On October 16, 2007, Craig Aronow and Anthony Locascio kicked off the New Jersey State Bar Association Young Lawyers Division’s “101 Series.” The “101 Series” is an educational program series designed to teach experienced YLD members practical skills that are frequently overlooked as part of new attorney training, both at firms and at CLE courses. The “How to Take a Deposition” seminar was the first in the series and was a resounding success with over 50 attendees. Highlights of the seminar can be found at RAM LAW Articles . For more information on the “101 Series” please see the YLD’s webpage at www.njsba.com.

REBENACK, ARONOW & MASCOLO WELCOMES THE HON. RICHARD COHEN
The Hon. Richard Cohen, retired, has joined RAM LAW in an Of Counsel position. Judge Cohen, whose biography page sets forth his extensive experience, will be continuing his alternative dispute resolution practice with Rebenack, Aronow & Mascolo, LLP. Attorneys and/or litigants interested in retaining Judge Cohen to mediate their dispute can contact him at 732-247-3600, Ext. 11.

ARONOW TO SPEAK ON PANEL WITH CHIEF JUSTICE ON MAY 24, 2007
May 24 – Forum with Chief Justice Zazzali

Sections: Young Lawyers Division

Open To: All Members of the Young Lawyers Division

Place: New Jersey Law Center
One Constitution Square
New Brunswick , New Jersey 08901
732 249-5000

Time: 5:30 – 9:00

Synopsis: Panelists include Chief Justice James R. Zazzali, Hon. Sybil Elias, Craig Aronow, Amy Sara Cores, William Kane, Joel Leyner, Donald Lomurro, Lynn Fontaine Newsome, Steven Nudelman and Rebekah Verona.

REBENACK OFFERS TIPS FOR EFFECTIVE TRIAL TESTIMONY
Attorney Edward J. Rebenack was the featured speaker at the Society of Investigators of Greater Newark’s (SIGN) annual meeting held at the Brownstone in Paterson . Drawing upon his years of jury trial experience, Rebenack lectured on various techniques for effective testimony before a jury in civil trials. SIGN is comprised of individuals employed in the public and private sector in an investigatory capacity. Rebenack is certified by the Supreme of Court of New Jersey as a civil trial attorney with a focus on personal injury litigation.

REBENACK TEACHES PROFESSIONAL RESPONSIBILITY TO YOUNG ATTORNEYS
Attorney Edward J. Rebenack was selected to lecture on professional responsibility to newly admitted attorneys. After passing the bar exam, attorneys are required to attend basic skills and methods courses within the first three years of their admission to the bar. Rebenack’s lecture focused upon the attorney’s need for a professional commitment to develop his/her skills as an advocate to zealously represent a client, while at the same time respecting the judicial system.