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CL&L is dedicated to the highest standards of professional excellence and public service. The Firm and many of its attorneys have received the highest rating for legal ability and ethical conduct, AV, from legal publisher Martindale-Hubbell, Inc., based upon peer review. Additionally, a number of our attorneys have the distinction of being selected as Best Lawyers in America® and by New Jersey Monthly Magazine as SuperLawyers®, while a number of our associate attorneys have been named by the same magazine as “Rising Stars.”
Seven of the Firm’s attorneys have been certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as Certified Civil and Certified Criminal Trial Attorneys. Two of our partners, Managing Partner Ralph J. Lamparello and Steven L. Menaker hold the rare distinction of dual certification. Over the past decade, the New Jersey Law Journal has named four of our partners to its prestigious “40 under 40” list. Four other CL&L attorneys are past recipients of the New Jersey State Bar Association’s (“NJSBA”) Professional Lawyer of the Year award, which is given annually to attorneys who, by virtue of their conduct, competence and demeanor, set a positive example for others in the profession. Joel A. Leyner was honored in 2000 as was Martha D. Lynes in 2005, Ralph J. Lamparello in 2009 and Steven L. Menaker in 2010.
CL&L strongly believes in contributing to the legal and non-legal communities through public service. Our attorneys serve on various committees by appointment of the New Jersey Supreme Court as well as on District Ethics and Fee Arbitration Committees. Several attorneys also serve in leadership positions in state and local legal associations, including the New Jersey State Bar Association. In 2008, Ralph J. Lamparello became the first Hudson County attorney in 34 years to be elected as an officer of the State Bar. He is now on track to assume the office of President of the State Bar Association in 2013. Steven L. Menaker serves on the NJSBA’s Ethics Diversionary Committee as well as the Committee on Professional Responsibility and Unlawful Practice. Partner Mitzy Galis-Menendez serves as a NJSBA Trustee and partner Michael D. Witt was appointed as a member of the NJSBA’s Continuing Legal Education Advisory Committee. In addition, CL&L attorneys are active within the NJSBA’s different sections of legal specialties. CL&L attorneys also fill leadership positions within the Hudson County Bar Association, Bergen County Bar Association, the Union County Bar Association, and several different American Inns of Court.
CL&L is especially proud of its members who have dedicated themselves to public service in the judicial and administrative branches of our State government. In 1989, Governor Thomas Kean appointed former CL&L partner Arthur N. D’Italia as a judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey. After a successful judicial career which culminated in his being appointed as Assignment Judge – the head judge of the County – Judge D’Italia returned to CL&L as Counsel to the Firm and currently heads the Firm’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Department, conducting arbitrations, mediations and serving as discovery master.
In 2005, Governor Richard J. Codey appointed former CL&L partner Peter F. Bariso, Jr., to the Superior Court of New Jersey, Civil Division, Hudson County. Recently, New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner named Judge Bariso to the be the new Assignment Judge of the Hudson County Superior Court, effective February 7, 2012.
In 2006, City of Newark Mayor Cory A. Booker appointed former CL&L partner Julien X. Neals as Chief Judge of Newark’s Municipal Court, charged with overseeing the activities of twelve full time judges and more than one hundred staff employees in one of the country’s largest municipal courts – which handles approximately 500,000 cases each year. After demonstrating his legal and administrative skills, Mayor Booker appointed Judge Neals to serve as Corporation Counsel in 2008, and in November 2010, as Newark’s Business Administrator.
Joseph M. Andresini, formerly Of Counsel to the Firm, was appointed by Governor Jon S. Corzine as Judge of the Tax Court of New Jersey in 2009. Prior to his appointment, Judge Andresini’s practice focused on governmental entity work, real estate and tax appeals. He also served as General Counsel to the Bergen County Improvement Authority and Judge of the Municipal Court for the Borough of Haworth.
Robert M. Czech, formerly Of Counsel to the Firm, was appointed by Governor Christopher J. Christie as the Chair/Chief Executive Officer of the State of New Jersey Civil Service Commission in February 2010.Mr. Czech’s extensive prior public service included positions as executive officer of Middletown Township, deputy budget director of the City of Jersey City, Passaic business administrator as well as project specialist with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs charged with conducting audits and fiscal reviews of, among others, Camden, Atlantic City, Hoboken and Elizabeth.
In 2011, Governor Christie appointed former CL&L partner Patrick J. Arre to the Superior Court of New Jersey, Civil Division, Hudson County. Prior to taking the oath of office, Judge Arre was the head of the Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice department for CL&L.
The firm has been in existence since 1957.
