J. Peter Sokol

Admitted to New Jersey and Federal District Court Bar

Mr. Sokol was admitted to the Bar in December of 1980, after having graduated from the Cumberland School of Law in May of 1980. In September of 1980, Mr. Sokol was employed with McOmber & McOmber, P.C. as a law clerk and upon passing the Bar in December of 1980, he became an Associate with the office, eventually being elevated to Partner in 1986.

In working at McOmber & McOmber, Mr. Sokol has been principally involved in commercial litigation and advising corporate and public clients on strategic approaches to commercial disputes. His commercial litigation emphasis has been focused on issues relating to manufacturing issues such as commercial code and warranty litigation, dealer agreements, termination and arbitration.

Another portion of Mr. Sokol's practice has focused on both public and private employment litigation and arbitration. Mr. Sokol has represented public entities in employment litigation since 1980, both through the courts and the various administrative processes in New Jersey. Mr. Sokol has defended both public and corporate clients against allegations of discrimination, whistle-blowing, workplace harassment and various other allegations.

He is also experienced in the field of education law in New Jersey, including the representation of boards of education and an educational service commission in various administrative proceedings such as before the Commissioner of Education, the Public Employment Relations Commission and labor arbitration.

Other areas of concentration include representation of contractors, architects and owners, both public and non-public, throughout the construction process, including the drafting of construction agreements, as well as litigation and arbitration of construction disputes, including but not limited to, addressing change order disputes, scheduling claims, delay damages, liquidated damages, latent and patent defects, termination, professional malpractice and construction lien law.

Mr. Sokol has also developed an expertise in the areas of real property litigation through his representation of title insurance companies.

He advises and represents landlords in lease drafting and negotiation and in causes of action seeking possession and rent. Mr. Sokol has also represented zoning boards of adjustment and applicants for the development of gas stations, banks and other commercial projects. Finally, Mr. Sokol has experience in representing banking institutions in collection actions, including mortgage foreclosures, and has defended lenders against lender liability claims.

Mr. Sokol was born and raised in Monmouth County, specifically Freehold, its County seat, where his father was an attorney for approximately 30 years. He currently resides in Colts Neck, New Jersey. Mr. Sokol is a long time volunteer for Western Monmouth Habitat for Humanity as an attorney and also volunteers in representing the Colts Neck Reformed Church, where he is a member with his family.

Primary Concentrations:

Construction: The drafting of construction, architect and construction management contracts; the litigation and arbitration of change orders, scheduling/delay claims, liquidated damages, latent/patent defects, termination, professional malpractice and construction liens.

Banking & Finance: Note and personal guarantee defaults and collections; residential and commercial mortgage foreclosures; defense to lender liability claims.

Business: Formation and representation of business entities including corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships.

Manufacturing: Distributor/dealer agreements, dealer termination arbitration, warranty litigation, commercial code provisions applicable to purchase and sale of goods.

Title Litigation: Boundary line disputes, competing title interests, conflicting lien priorities.

Employment Litigation & Arbitration: Drafting of employment agreements, defense against claims based on common law and statutory employment theories, e.g. civil rights, conscientious employee, hours and wages, leave laws, workplace harassment.

Education: Litigation of budget appeals, civil and administrative claims, construction bidding and the handling of proceedings before the Commissioner of Education, Public Employment Relations Commission and labor arbitrators.

Landlord/Tenant: Summary dispossession actions, lease negotiation and drafting, rent collection.

Zoning, Planning & Land Use Development: Counsel in connection with development applications, including residential subdivisions and industrial and commercial projects; appearance before Planning Boards and Zoning Boards of Adjustment representing applicants and objectors, as well as prerogative writ litigation on behalf of developers and objectors.

Non-Profit: Representation of various non-profit organizations including religious institutions, education foundations, and philanthropic associations.

• Banking & Finance
• Business
• Construction
• General Civil
• Manufacturing

• Title Litigation

• Free Consultation

New Jersey

Since 1980

Cumberland School of Law, Samford University

J.D. (1980)

1977 - 1980

Denison University

B.A. (1977)

1973 - 1977

Monmouth County Bar Association

Member

Current

New Jersey State Bar Association

Member

Current