The new president of the New Jersey Civil Justice Institute talks about the organization and its priorities for the rest of the year and beyond the pandemic.

Afshan Ajmiri Giner will be based out of the firm's New Providence office where she will focus on leadership on school board governance, statutory/regulatory compliance with State and Federal laws, and labor and employment issues.

Jason Meisner and Joseph Fiteni have joined the Morristown firm as litigation partners, effective Feb. 1.

Labor unions struggling with declining membership and waning influence before the pandemic could be poised for a rebound. Data released on Jan. 22 by the U.S Bureau of Labor Statistics showed decreases in the number of both union and non-union workers. There were just shy of 4.1 million people employed New Jersey in 2019, of which 642,000 were in a union. In 2020, the total dropped to 3.7 million, with just 600,000 union workers. But the report also showed that union members went from making up 15.7% of the state’s workforce in 2019 to 16.1% in 2020. In essence, the pie is shrinking and union labor is making up a larger chunk of it.

The attorneys joining the firm will expand its commercial litigation and environmental groups and add depth to a host of practice areas, including pharmaceutical, toxic torts, products liability, employment, and contract disputes.

The Cherry Hill law firm has started the year elevating and appointing individuals helping the establishment grow both is size and reputation.

The appointment is not the first time Lisa Gorab has broken through barriers at the firm, having served on its management committee for more than 10 years following her election as its first female officer.

Jody Saltzman joined the firm from K&L Gates, where she was a partner. She has broad experience negotiating commercial leases, subleases, and licenses nationwide for landlords and tenants, including, negotiating office, warehouse, showroom, gallery, restaurant, and retail leases; and she assists clients in reviewing and negotiating architect and construction agreements.

A preliminary investigation has been concluded of the complaint and it has been determined there's sufficient evidence that a state anti-discrimination law has been violated.

A federal prosecutor from the Newark U.S. Attorney’s Office, a construction law partner from Greenberg Traurig, and a commercial and real estate lending partner from Buchanan Ingersoll have joined the firm's Roseland office.

The Red Bank firm elevated Donna McBarron to shareholder and appointed C. Justin McCarthy and John Sarto as chairs of the real property taxation practice and the affordable housing practice respectively, effective Jan. 1.

The long-term use of the fire suppressant resulted in excessive levels of toxic chemicals emanating from the U.S. facilities, according to the state's complaint.