Chasan Lamparello Mallon & Cappuzzo, PC 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 to the Best Lawyers in America® list and New Jersey Monthly Magazine's Super Lawyers® list, while a number of our associate attorneys have been named by the same magazine to the “Rising Stars” list. Most notably, the Firm has received a Tier 1 Ranking in the 2025 Edition of U.S. News - Best Lawyers "Best Law Firms,” for the thirteenth year in a row.
Seven of the Firm’s attorneys have been designated by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as Certified Civil or Certified Criminal Trial Attorneys. Six Firm 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 2014, Steven L. Menaker in 2010, and John V. Mallon and Cheyne R. Scott in 2021.
The Firm 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 2013, Ralph J. Lamparello became the first Hudson County attorney in 40 years to be sworn in as President of the State Bar Association. Steven L. Menaker serves on the Supreme Court Disciplinary Review Board. Most recently, Robert A. Kaye was elected Chair of the NJSBA’s Business Law Section and John V. Mallon was appointed Chair of the Association’s Insurance Defense Committee. The Firm's attorneys also fill leadership positions within the Hudson County Bar Association, Bergen County Bar Association, and several different American Inns of Court. In 2013, Ralph J. Lamparello received the prestigious Humanitarian Achievement Award from the Seton Hall School of Law's Peter W. Rodino, Jr. Society. The Award is presented annually to commemorate the values embodied in the work of the legacy of Congressman Rodino - compassion, honor and wisdom. In 2019, the New Jersey State Bar Foundation awarded its highest honor, the Medal of Honor Award, to Mr. Lamparello in recognition of his professionalism and significant contributions to the advancement of the justice system and the legal profession in New Jersey.
The Firm 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 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 Chief Judge of the Hudson County Vicinage – Judge D’Italia returned to the Firm as Counsel.
In 2005, Governor Richard J. Codey appointed former partner Peter F. Bariso, Jr., to the Superior Court of New Jersey, Civil Division, Hudson County. New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner named Judge Bariso as the Assignment Judge of the Hudson County Superior Court in 2012. Judge Bariso returned to the Firm in 2021 and currently heads the Firm’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Department, conducting arbitrations, mediations and serving as discovery master.
In 2006, partner Julien X. Neals was appointed by City of Newark Mayor Cory A. Booker as Chief Judge of Newark’s Municipal Court. After demonstrating his legal and administrative skills, Mayor Booker appointed Judge Neals to serve as Corporation Counsel in 2008, and as Newark’s Business Administrator in 2010. The Hon. Julien X. Neals returned to the Firm as a partner in 2014. In 2015, Judge Neals became County Counsel for Bergen County, and subsequently Acting County Administrator. In 2021, Judge Neals was nominated for and sworn in as a U.S. District Court Judge for the District of New Jersey.
In 2011, partner Patrick J. Arre was appointed as Judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Hudson County. Prior to taking the oath of office, Judge Arre was the head of the Firm's Personal Injury and Medical Malpractice Department.
In 2012, the Hon. Thomas P. Olivieri, P.J.Ch joined the Firm. Judge Olivieri had served as a New Jersey Superior Court Judge for 20 years, the last 10 as Presiding Judge of the Chancery Division in Hudson County. He brings his considerable skills to the firm, offering expertise in the areas of complementary dispute resolution and arbitration. Judge Olivieri will also be available to manage litigation as a special master and will offer guidance to the firm on complex matters.
In 2013, partner Mitzy Galis-Menendez was appointed Judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Hudson County. Judge Galis-Menendez concentrated her civil litigation practice on public entity representation with a concentration on sexual harassment cases, Law Against Discrimination, Title VII and civil rights matters.
In 2016, partner Anthony V. D’Elia was appointed Judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Hudson County. Prior to taking the oath of office, Judge D’Elia’s practice encompassed all areas of civil litigation, including commercial; construction; medical, legal and professional malpractice; products liability; automobile; and other personal injury matters. He also served as municipal, labor and board of education counsel to various public entities.
In 2017, partner Martha D. Lynes was appointed by the Judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Hudson County. Prior to taking the oath of office, Judge Lynes’ practice encompassed all areas of defense litigation. She was also named to serve as a Committee Member on Liberty Mutual’s National Construction Practice Group which served as a resource for attorneys who practice in the construction field across the nation.
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.
The firm has been in existence since 1957.