Brookside Lawyers

Attorney Sharon B. Kessel holds an important role in preparing and prosecuting clients' cases at Blume Forte Fried Zerres & Molinari

Paul Castronovo is an experienced trial attorney focusing on employee rights. His peers have chosen him for the New Jersey Super Lawyers® lists for employment law each year since 2006. In 2020, the National Law Journal selected Paul as one of 25 lawyers in the nation as a Trailblazer in employment law. As a trial lawyer, Paul has won more than $16.6 million in jury verdicts and judgments for his clients, including a $6,000,000 verdict for his client in a race discrimination case in Bergen County and one of the largest multi-million dollar verdicts in 2014 for a...

Bilal Hill is the owner of The Hill Firm, a law firm in Basking Ridge, New Jersey specializing in Family, Criminal, Entertainment, Real Estate, Intellectual Property, Tax, Personal Injury and Employment Law. Bilal began his legal career working for Legal Services of New Jersey providing pro bono legal help to low-income families. Bilal also worked for the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office. Bilal spent eighteen years in Corporate America holding various senior level accounting and financial roles, with companies such as PriceWaterhouseCoopers, General Electric, and Sony Music where he was Vice President of Finance and Operations. ...

For over 30 years, I have been providing counsel on income and estate tax planning for individuals as well as their businesses and investments. I provide business succession and sophisticated estate planning services to a wide range of clients. I bring to my practice deep knowledge of a myriad of business transactions and restructuring and the tax consequences of such transactions.

John Simeone focuses his practice on litigation. His experience spans across multiple practice areas including trusts and estates litigation and employment litigation. Prior to joining private practice, John clerked for the Honorable Jose L. Fuentes in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division. During his clerkship, John drafted judicial memoranda and opinions to aid Judge Fuentes in resolving cases on his docket.

Cheryl Ritter assists clients in the development and implementation of estate and gift planning matters including wills, trusts, financial powers of attorney, living wills, and health care agent designations. In this role, Cheryl counsels individual clients on the tax-efficient transfer of wealth using a variety of strategies, including dynasty trusts, life insurance trusts (individual and survivorship), qualified personal residence trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts, charitable trusts, limited liability companies, and sales to intentionally defective grantor trusts, among others. Cheryl develops estate plans tailored to the specific needs and goals of each client, considering factors such as the unique asset mixes...

Carol Grelecki represents the Firm’s healthcare clients in a wide variety of corporate and transactional matters. Her clients include physicians and physician groups, specialty practice societies, independent practice associations, hospitals, clinical laboratories, utilization managers, billing companies, and other medical professionals. Carol also advises clients with regard to compliance, including matters pertaining to Medicare billing, fraud and abuse, and the Stark and Codey Laws. Additionally, she represents clients in regulatory matters, including healthcare facility licensing issues and the preparation of required policies and procedures. She also reviews and negotiates managed care participation agreements and handles provider complaints against managed care...

My name is David DiBrigida and as a personal injury attorney I have been helping accident victims recover money from insurance companies since 1992.

Every day thousands of people like you are injured in car accidents.…and even a minor car accident can be a major inconvenience resulting in pain and suffering, unpaid medical bills, and time missed from work.

I will personally handle your case from start to finish and I will keep you informed by answering your questions and addressing your concerns promptly and professionally.

While I have represented thousands of car accident victims and helped them recover money from insurance companies,...

Eric J. Boden Esq. provides dedicated and thorough representation in complex civil litigation matters, with an emphasis on business partnership disputes, trusts and estates conflicts, and healthcare matters. Eric works closely with each client to custom tailor litigation strategies to meet the client’s objectives. Prior to joining Brach Eichler, Eric spent four years as a Deputy Attorney General at the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, where he played a key role in complex investigations and high-profile enforcement actions involving the New Jersey False Claims Act and Consumer Fraud Act, spanning a broad range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, healthcare, transportation, technology, construction,...

Brian W. Brown is an experienced litigator who handles every type of Plaintiff’s personal injury case including wrongful death, premises liability, and construction accidents. He has tried numerous bench and jury trials throughout New Jersey. Brian began his legal career as a defense attorney representing large corporations and insurance companies in the defense of personal injury lawsuits. As a result, Brian knows how insurance companies will defend cases and now uses this knowledge to aggressively obtain the best possible results for his clients. Brian is a graduate of the Morris Pashman Inn of Court where he further developed his litigation and trial...

The Honorable Lisa F. Chrystal (Ret.) joined Brach Eichler after serving 22 years as a Judge of the New Jersey Superior Court. Judge Chrystal concentrates her practice in the areas of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), mediation and arbitration, as well as discovery management. A compassionate and attentive listener known for her legal acumen and her responsible and equitable counsel, Judge Chrystal focuses on civil cases and family law matters, prejudgment and post judgement, as well as custody and parenting time and the resolution of disputes through mediation, typically a more amicable and cost effective approach than litigation. Judge Chrystal also...

Co-Chair, Labor and Employment. Matthew Collins has extensive experience representing clients in all aspects of labor and employment law. He provides strategic counsel to clients on a wide range of labor and employment issues such as discrimination; harassment; whistleblowing; discipline and discharge; layoffs; collective bargaining agreements; reasonable accommodations for disabled employees; and compliance with state and federal family and medical leave acts and applicable wage and hour laws. He also conducts training in these areas for executives, directors, managers, supervisors, and employees and conducts internal investigations of employee complaints. Matthew drafts and provides advice on employment contracts, employment manuals, personnel policies...

Vanessa Coleman is an associate in the Healthcare Law practice group at Brach Eichler, focusing her practice on general corporate, transactional, regulatory as well as litigation matters. Prior to joining Brach Eichler, Vanessa was a Deputy Attorney General at the State of New Jersey Office of the Attorney General. Vanessa provided legal counsel to healthcare regulatory agencies that issue professional licenses including the state boards of medical examiners, nursing, pharmacy, respiratory care, ophthalmic dispensers and technicians, kosher/halal group, and chiropractic examiners. Prior to her work at the Attorney General’s office, Vanessa clerked at the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office in the...

Daniel J. Plaia is a results-oriented lawyer who focuses on representing plaintiffs in personal injury and trial litigation matters. Daniel brings a compassionate approach to client care and to negotiations and uses it to his client’s advantage. Prior to joining Brach Eichler, Daniel worked for a global casualty insurance company where he gained valuable trial experience successfully handling several automobile and slip and fall cases to verdict. In addition, Daniel worked for a national law firm in their New York office where he handled all aspects of construction and Labor Law litigation.

Paul J. DeMartino, Jr. is an experienced business litigator representing clients in a broad range of commercial disputes in healthcare and real estate industries among others. Paul specializes in healthcare litigation with an emphasis in representing physicians, medical practices, ambulatory surgery centers and hospital systems navigate through complex business matters often involving contractual and shareholder disputes. More specifically, Paul has first-hand knowledge of the delicate issues that physicians and medical providers encounter daily from a clinical and regulatory perspective to the interpolitics between practice members, partners, employees, and hospital staff. Paul is an experienced advocate for clients involving restrictive covenants,...

Rebecca Falk is an associate attorney at Brach Eichler. She is a member of the firm’s Healthcare practice group, where she negotiates, drafts, and advises on variety transactions, including payor arrangements and employment relationships. Rebecca approaches her practice with enthusiasm and ingenuity drawing from her passion for medical research, science, and law. She also advises the firm’s healthcare provider clients on regulatory matters, such as the No Surprises Act and HIPAA. Before joining Brach Eichler, Rebecca worked as an associate at Wolfe Pincavage. She also served as a legal intern at Hercules Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and was a research assistant at...

Mark E. Critchley focuses his practice on assisting business and individual clients in contractual and commercial disputes. Mark is an experienced litigator in federal and state courts involving contractual disputes, consumer fraud, shareholder disputes, construction litigation and probate litigation. Mark works with clients at all stages to achieve the most efficient and beneficial result for the client. Prior to joining Brach Eichler, Mark was a Deputy Attorney General for over five years with the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, Division of Law. As a member of the Consumer Fraud Prosecution Section, Mark led investigations and litigations on behalf of...

Alois Habjan represents owners and operators of real estate, as well as real estate developers, in a wide range of commercial and residential transactions including sales, purchases, leases, refinancings, and mortgage-backed securitizations.

Jeffrey Itzkowitz has over 30 years’ experience in all aspects of transactional real estate. His practice is primarily focused on commercial and corporate real estate transactions including leasing, sales, acquisitions, and all types of financing. His portfolio of matters includes development and construction projects, including the development of residential apartment houses, condominium, townhome, and single-family communities; conversions of existing properties to the condominium and cooperative form of ownership; limited liability company partnerships and related work; and environmental and land use issues. Jeffrey’s work also includes the representation of clients and landlords in the residential multifamily industry, as well as the...

Over the past 16 years, I have represented a wide variety of clients across numerous industries in high-stakes “hardball” commercial litigation. I am experienced in all areas of business litigation including, real estate, corporate shareholder and partnership battles, trusts and estates, lending and finance, intellectual property protection, employment, healthcare, bankruptcy adversary proceedings, foreclosure, and complex contractual controversies. In addition, I hold the Certified Trial Attorney designation by the New Jersey Supreme Court, a distinction reserved for less than 2% of the attorneys in New Jersey.

Debra Levine brings an extensive background in the law governing healthcare and professional licensure to Brach Eichler, specifically in the areas of state regulation, disciplinary matters, and the interrelationship between the various scopes of practice associated with different categories of licenses. She focuses her work on the business aspects of the practice of medicine as well as on provider disciplinary matters. Prior to joining Brach Eichler, Debra was, for 27 years, counsel to the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners, where she was responsible for advising the Board on disciplinary, investigative, and regulatory matters. Debra counseled the Board during Board...

Cynthia Liba provides legal counsel to various health care entities including ambulatory care facilities, physicians, and hospitals. Her focus is primarily on health care business transactions and regulatory compliance issues. Prior to joining Brach Eichler, Cynthia was an Agency Attorney at the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) within the Office of Legal Affairs, Health and Community Services Litigation and Program Counseling Unit. Cynthia also served as a legal intern with the United States Attorney’s Office, Civil Division – Western District of Pennsylvania; the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Department of Risk Management; and the New York State Attorney...

Erika Marshall provides legal counsel to medical professionals and healthcare entities in the area of healthcare business transactions and related matters. Prior to joining Brach Eichler, Erika worked in the franchise division of Realogy Holdings Corporation where she handled multi-branded franchise agreements in the contracts department. Previously, she was an Associate at Ambrosio, De Pierro & Wernick, LLC where she worked on various types of matters encompassing civil litigation, family law, and legal malpractice.

Ashley L. Matias concentrates her practice on labor and employment. Ashley represents employers and individual employees in the private and public sector in matters involving state and federal claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, whistleblowing, and wage and hour violations. Ashley specializes in matters involving pregnancy discrimination and assists employers and employees in navigating federal and state leave laws and requests for pregnancy-related accommodations. Ashley has appeared before state and federal agencies, including the Division on Civil Rights (“DCR”) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) and has participated in mediations to amicably resolve employment matters of all kinds. Ashley uses her...

Aladekemi (Kemi) Omoregie is an Associate in the Brach Eichler’s General Litigation Group. Prior to joining Brach Eichler, Kemi was an Intellectual Property and General Litigation Associate at her previous law firm in New Jersey. Previously, Kemi clerked for the Honorable Thomas W. Sumners, Jr., J.A.D., in the New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division. Kemi is an active member of the Garden State Bar Association where she sits on the Judicial Clerkship and Communications Committees and of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated where she sits on the Enhance Our Environment Committee of her local chapter.

Jeremy Hylton is a litigator focusing on personal injury and appellate advocacy. As a former defense attorney, Jeremy utilizes his knowledge to navigate his clients through the intricacies of the legal adversarial system and understands what it takes to posture your case for the best possible resolution. Jeremy has considerable trial experience and is always willing to pursue a jury verdict on behalf of his clients if a settlement cannot be reached.

Brian Peykar represents real estate developers, investors, and lenders in a wide range of commercial real estate transactions, including multifamily, office, industrial, and retail projects in New Jersey and New York. He has extensive knowledge and experience working in real estate development, real estate finance, real estate lending, asset purchase and sales, and commercial leasing. Brian routinely represents commercial lenders in loan originations including construction and term loans. Client projects involving secured loans have included hotels, multifamily, mixed-use, and office and retail developments.

Medical Malpractice & Serious Personal Injury from all causes, for individuals are our specialties!
Certified Civil Trial Attorney, Lawyer since 1986; Practice in NJ & NY. Educational Background in the Medical Sciences , Bachelors & Master's Degrees. Specialized since the beginning of my legal career in medically related matters and serious damage & injury cases since all involve injury. Experienced in wrongful death matters, Brain injuries, cancer cases, Birth injury cases, car and truck crashes, faulty industrial machinery, hazardous products, burn cases, severe scarring, Handled many substantial cases, details in the website.

Chen Li is a partner of the Vanarelli & Li, LLC. Chen joined the firm in 2007 as an associate attorney. Chen practices in the area of Estate Planning, Medicaid Asset Protection Planning, Probate, Disability Planning, Special Needs Trust, and Tax Law on a regular basis. Chen speaks and writes in fluent Mandarin Chinese. If you have any questions, please call Chen at 908-232-7400, or email her at cli@vanarellilaw.com. Chen was born in Shanghai, China. After completing high school in China, she immigrated to New York in the late 80’s. Chen earned a B.A....

Matt Sontz is a sole practitioner who handles each matter personally. He looks forward to working with you to find the most beneficial and cost effective resolution of your matter.

Daniel is a registered patent attorney with over 10 years of experience drafting and prosecuting patent and trademark applications before the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Dan’s experience includes applications relating to virtual and augmented reality, artificial intelligence, machine learning, mobile applications, malware detection, e-commerce, mechanical inventions, consumer products, smart tools, medical equipment, manufacturing processes, gaming systems, business methods, and industrial designs. Daniel holds degrees in Law, Finance, and Computer Science and served as an Officer in the U.S. Army Reserves, receiving an Honorable Discharge in 2003. Daniel is admitted to practice before the United States Patent and...

Steven Lehr is the principal and founder of LehrLaw, a boutique general practice law firm.

Scott Yaffe represents a variety of construction clients in New York and New Jersey, including general and prime contractors, subcontractors, sureties and material and equipment suppliers. He is a graduate of the University of Chicago and Cardozo School of Law.

Admissions
1988, New Jersey and U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey;
1989, Virginia, District of Columbia and U.S. Court of Appeals, Fourth Circuit;
1996, Supreme Court of the United States

Education
Duke University, B.A., 1984
Washington & Lee University Law School, J.D., 1988
Rutgers University, Certificate in Divorce Mediation, 1996
Graduate, ABA Family Law Advocacy Institute, 1997

Member
Somerset County Bar Association
New Jersey Bar Association
Virginia Bar Association
District of Columbia Bar Association
American Bar Association

Professional Activities
Co-Chair, 2007-2008, 2009-2010 Somerset County Family Law Committee
Mediator, Somerset County Child Custody Mediation Program
Panelist, Somerset County Early Settlement Panel Program
Volunteer Attorney, Legal Services of Northwest Jersey
Volunteer Attorney, Resource Center for Women and their Families

Serving the Areas...

CENTRAL JERSEY ATTORNEY CONCENTRATING ON NJ WORKERS' COMPENSATION AND SOCIAL SECURITY DISABILITY LAW. CERTIFIED BY THE NEW JERSEY SUPREME COURT AS A WORKERS' COMPENSATION ATTORNEY. ADMITTED TO PRACTICE LAW IN NJ, NY AND PA.