Somerset County Civil Rights Lawyers

Meghan Chrisner-Keefe is an experienced and diligent litigator with a track record of proven results. Ms. Keefe practices primarily plaintiff-side employment law, representing individuals in all aspects of employment law and litigation, including claims of unlawful termination, sexual harassment, whistle blower retaliation, pregnancy discrimination and sexual orientation discrimination. Ms. Keefe also represents individuals in unemployment compensation claims, board of nursing licensing matters and restrictive covenant litigation, including non-compete agreements, unfair competition and trade secret violations. Her background includes practicing personal injury, real estate, family, immigration and foreclosure and consumer rights law. Such extensive background and experience makes her a versatile...

Gregory S. Schaer, Esq. is a highly experienced New Jersey employment lawyer and labor law attorney admitted to practice in the State of New Jersey and is a member of the bars of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit as well as the United States Supreme Court.

Mr. Schaer has achieved substantial jury verdicts and settlements on behalf of his clients. The cases that he has handled are known by judges and attorneys throughout the United States as a result of numerous decisions rendered by the...

Mr. Tobin is an associate at McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C. Mr. Tobin’s primary areas of practice are employment law and personal injury litigation. He is admitted to the New Jersey State Bar and U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey.

Mr. Tobin has extensive prior experience defending employment matters on behalf of employers throughout the State of New Jersey. Mr. Tobin has litigated favorably on behalf of employers in several employment discrimination and wrongful termination cases. This unique background allows Mr. Tobin to be a zealous and effective advocate on behalf of employees who have been wronged by their employers....

Richard Sanvenero Jr. is a founding partner at Sanvenero & Cittadino LLC. He was a former partner at the Law Office of McGoughran & Sanvenero. He received his undergraduate degree from Rutgers University in 2010 and his Juris Doctor from Barry University School of Law in 2013. He is an active member of the Monmouth County Bar Association, Middlesex County Bar Association, New Jersey State Bar Association, New Jersey Association for Justice, New York City Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, American Association for Justice, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity and the American Bar Association. While in law...

Michael Peter Rubas is an aggressive litigator and the founding member of the firm. His legal practice focuses on litigation, specializing in criminal defense, DWI defense, municipal court, and commercial litigation matters. Following his graduation with high honors - magna cum laude - from The Catholic University of America’s Columbus School of Law, Mr. Rubas served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Thomas C. Brown, J.S.C. of the Essex County Superior Court. After his clerkship, Mr. Rubas was a member of the litigation departments for two of New Jersey largest law firms, Saiber, P.C. and Budd Larner,...

In addition to being an attorney, Franklin J. Rooks Jr. is also a licensed physical therapist. Mr. Rooks concentrates his legal practice on labor and employment matters, health law, and false claims actions. He has a particular interest in employment disability discrimination relating to the Americans with Disabilities Act, and its state law counterparts. Mr. Rooks also focuses on Medicare compliance, medical provider insurance billing issues, and Stark Law/Anti-kickback compliance. Mr. Rooks began a career in physical therapy, graduating from the Philadelphia College of Pharmacy & Science (now the University of Sciences in Philadelphia) with Master of Physical...

Robert W. Smith represents clients in all aspects of employment law and litigation. Mr. Smith has successfully litigated cases on behalf of employees involving claims of sexual harassment, disability discrimination, FMLA, New Jersey Family Leave Act, race discrimination, sexual orientation discrimination, hostile work environment and whistle blower laws. Mr. Smith also represents corporate clients in areas of human resource administration and personnel issues. Corporate representation includes, disciplines, leave of absence, disability issues, harassment, creation/monitoring of HR policies/procedures, employee training, workplace investigations, drafting/negotiating severance agreements, employee contracts, non-compete and restrictive covenants. Prosecuting and/or defending litigation involving restrictive covenants and trade secrets,...

Joseph J. Bell Jr. found the law firm of the Bell Law Group, P.C. after years in private practice and service in government and politics. Joe's legal experience is primarily in the areas of labor and employment law, county and municipal government, civil rights, criminal law, DUI/DWI and tort law. He earned his Bachelorâs degree from Montclair State University, a Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall University School of Law and an L.L.M. in Labor and Employment Law from New York University. Joe is admitted to practice in the State of New Jersey, New York State, the United...

Stephen M. Pascarella, Esq. was born in Staten Island, New York on April 14, 1956. His family moved to Howell Township, Monmouth County, New Jersey in January of 1957. Mr. Pascarella has been a lifelong resident of Monmouth County. He is a 1974 graduate of Howell High School where he lettered in three varsity sports. Subsequent to his graduation he attended the University of Maryland on a football scholarship. While at the University of Maryland Mr. Pascarella, in addition to participating in football, was a member of the Delta Upsilon Fraternity and, in 1977, interned...

Mark Lurie has over 20 years as a practicing attorney. The firm represents individuals in employment disputes, including litigating discrimination, harassment, retaliation, whistleblower, compensation/bonus/wage claims, and other employment-related disputes. We also represent employers in proactive measures to mitigate litigation risk, including preparation of policies and procedures, training and investigations. Mark also mediates employment disputes, and is included on the roster of New Jersey civil court-approved mediators as a R.1:40 qualified mediator. The firms also represents pharmaceutical, medical device and other healthcare entities on compliance-related issues. We help to identify risk, set up compliance programs, prepare policies, provide training, monitor...

David Winkler, born 1962 in Philadelphia, PA.

Educated at Temple University and Temple University School of Law

Bachelor of Arts, with honors 1983
Juris Doctor, with honors 1986
Master of Laws in Trial Advocacy 2001

David Winkler has been in private practice since 1986, representing victims and their families, injured by:
car accidents,
medical malpractice,
defective products,
construction accidents, and
falls.

David represents clients throughout New Jersey and Southeastern Pennsylvania, and has tried over fifty jury trials in various state and federal courts.
He is admitted to practice in all courts in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, the Federal Court for the Southern District of New York, and...

Beth Cole is a litigator specializing in personal injury, auto accident cases, civil rights, dram shop, liquor liability cases, “lemon law” claims, consumer protection and pharmaceutical litigation. She also has significant experience with — and interest in – veterans issues, including assisting those disabled due to Agent Orange exposure.

“Not a lot of firms do civil rights work because it’s very difficult. Everyone deserves a voice, to be treated with respect, and to have the protection of the Constitution. “

Ms. Cole has been recognized for her civil rights work. Cole and two Williams Cuker Berezofsky colleagues, Gerald Williams and...

Practice devoted exclusively to criminal defense (and selected civil rights police brutality cases) in state courts in New Jersey and every federal district court in the United States. An experienced trial and appellate attorney who has handled hundreds of cases to conclusion, with a high percentage resulting in not guilty jury verdicts after trial, or dismissals, or pleas favorable to the defendant, for the last 22 years. Attorney has argued successfully and won before the New Jersey Supreme Court.

Robert Chewning is an associate at McLaughlin & Nardi, LLC. He practices primarily in the areas of complex commercial, contractual, employment, civil litigation and bankruptcy issues. Robert’s dedication, passion, and determination have helped his clients, both individuals and businesses, in achieving their goals quickly and efficiently.

Robert joined the firm during his second year of law school and has worked with us since he graduated. Robert has handled all aspects of research to arbitrations and trials, including retaliation and whistleblower protections under the Conscientious Employee Protection Act, New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination, disability harassment, and employee-independent contractor determinations under the Fair...

To me, being a great lawyer requires hard work, determination, passion, honesty and integrity. These are values I live by, not only in my legal career but in all aspects of my personal and professional life. These are also the values instilled on both new and experienced attorneys at Carluccio, Leone, Dimon, Doyle & Sacks, LLC, which is one of the many reasons I was determined to become a new associate here. Though I have only been practicing law for a short period of time, I have been fortunate enough to work under the guidance of an esteemed judge as...

As one of the partners and co-founders of Williams Cedar, Gerald Williams concentrates on environmental toxic tort cases, whistleblower claims, and civil rights violations, as well as complex personal injury cases. His impressive legal career spans thirty-five years during which time he has practiced law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, where he earned some of the highest honors in the legal community. After graduating from Temple University School of Law in 1982, he was an associate at a Philadelphia law firm before starting his own practice in 1983. He has received the “AV Preeminent” rating, the highest rating given, from...

John R. Klotz, Esq. has been practicing law for over 28 years throughout New Jersey and occasionally in Philadelphia, PA where he started his prominent career. He has appeared in Superior Court in every county and most municipal courts throughout the state No courthouse is too far away to defend a client in need of help. Over the years, Mr. Klotz has built an outstanding reputation and stellar relationships with judges and prosecutors in courts everywhere. These connections usually result in the client getting the best possible outcome in a case.

Certified Civil Trial Lawyers. Millions won for our Clients. Admitted in New Jersey and New York. Expertise in Personal Injury, Libel and Defamation, Qualified Divorce and Family Mediators and Lawyers.
Verdicts:
$1.8 million, Essex County
$1.5 million, Hudson County
Million Dollar Advocates Forum

Certified Mediator in federal and state courts.
Former Supreme Court of New Jersey Law Clerk.

Instructor, Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College, 2001-2017.
Graduate, Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers College, 1997
Graduate, National Institute of Trial Advocacy

Mary Ann R. Andrews has experience appearing in court on various types of proceedings. Her areas of practice include personal injury, matrimonial/family law, workers’ compensation, landlord/tenant, and municipal court matters. As an attorney, she is aware of the importance of client relations as well as the importance of all pre-trial filings and will handle a matter from inception to trial.

Ms. Andrews was privileged to perform as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Deborah J. Venezia, P.J.F.P. of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Middlesex Vicinage, Chancery Division, Family Part. Her experiences with Judge Venezia exposed her...

Jennifer Kathryn Powell Mondesire has been licensed to practice law in Pennsylvania and New Jersey since 2003. Jennifer is a 2003 graduate of Temple University Beasley School of Law. Jennifer clerked for now retired Judge Mark Bernstein in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas 2003-2004. Following her Clerkship, Jennifer worked as an Assistant Defender at the Defender Association of Philadelphia in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania from 2004-2009.

In 2009, Jennifer went into private practice where she represented clients in all areas of law with emphasis on Criminal Defense.

Jennifer also has served as an Arbitrator for the First Judicial...

People accused of crimes, DWI, and traffic citations want aggressive and intelligent representation. I provide the accused with a listening ear, aggressive defense, and informed strategy. In the event there is a brush with Federal Law, I also defend white collar criminal cases in Federal Court.

Mrs. Pazmino is an associate at McOmber McOmber & Luber, P.C. Mrs. Pazmino handles all aspects of employment litigation, including but not limited to matters involving discrimination, retaliation, sexual harassment, wrongful termination, and whistleblower claims. Mrs. Pazmino believes that every employee should always feel safe and comfortable in the workplace and that anything less is an injustice. Mrs. Pazmino graduated magna cum laude from East Stroudsburg University in 2015, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree with a major in Political Science and a minor in Philosophy. Following her graduation from East Stroudsburg University, Mrs. Pazmino attended Rutgers Law School on...

Christopher Markos joined Williams Cuker Berezofsky in 2012, bringing significant experience to the firm’s civil and human rights law practice. Public Interest advocacy has been his passion since law school, and he was recognized by the Rutgers-Camden School of Law with the prestigious Mary Philbrook Public Interest Award.

Mr. Markos began his legal career as Law Clerk to the Honorable Jose L. Fuentes of the New Jersey Superior Court- Appellate Division, conducting legal research and drafting bench memos, coordinating intake and advising Judge Fuentes on emergent matters.

“I like being an advocate for my clients and the Constitution at the same...