Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

http://www.kostrolaw.com/KostroDotCom/PGKResume.html

With 25 years of experience, I represent financial professionals and firms in all aspects of their operation, compliance and litigation matters, nationwide. I also represent individual brokers from virtually every major firm in their contract negotiations, employment termination, U-4 and U-5 issues. In specialized situations where the facts or law present novel issues, I also represent investors.

Locally, I represent small and medium sized businesses in their formation, operation and litigation, using my Wall Street background to assist those business entities.

Mark has almost 30 years experience in personal injury and litigation. While a student, he was a paralegal in his father's law office. After law school, Mark worked on Wall Street at one of the oldest and most prestigious law firms, Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft. Later, he joined the family personal injury practice where he enjoys hands-on, close contact with his clients.
--Mark lives in North Jersey with his beautiful wife, their three wonderful sons, and their friendly dog, Atticus.

Mr. Sokol was admitted to the Bar in December of 1980, after having graduated from the Cumberland School of Law in May of 1980. In September of 1980, Mr. Sokol was employed with McOmber & McOmber, P.C. as a law clerk and upon passing the Bar in December of 1980, he became an Associate with the office, eventually being elevated to Partner in 1986.

In working at McOmber & McOmber, Mr. Sokol has been principally involved in commercial litigation and advising corporate and public clients on strategic approaches to commercial disputes. His commercial litigation emphasis has been focused on manufacturing issues, specifically, commercial code and warranty litigation, dealer agreements, termination and arbitration. Another portion of Mr. Sokol's practice involves both public and private employment litigation and arbitration. Mr. Sokol has represented public entities in employment litigation since 1980, both in the courts and through the various administrative processes in New Jersey. Mr. Sokol has defended both public and corporate clients against allegations of discrimination, whistle-blowing, workplace harassment and various other allegations. He also has experience in the field of education law in New Jersey, representing boards of education and an educational service commission in tenure proceedings, labor scope proceedings, labor arbitration, negotiations and other hearings before the Commissioner of Education.

Other areas of concentration include representation of contractors, architects and owners, both public and non-public, throughout the construction process, including the drafting of construction agreements, as well as construction litigation and arbitration, addressing issues such as change order disputes, scheduling disputes, delay damages, liquidated damages, latent and patent defects, contractor termination, professional malpractice and construction lien law.

Mr. Sokol has also developed expertise in the areas of real property litigation through his representation of title insurance companies. He advises and represents landlords in lease drafting and negotiation and in causes of action seeking possession and rent. Mr. Sokol has also represented zoning boards of adjustment and applicants for the development of gas stations, banks and other commercial projects. Finally, Mr. Sokol has experience in representing banking institutions in collection actions, including mortgage foreclosures, and has defended lenders against liability claims.

Mr. Sokol was born and raised in Monmouth County, specifically Freehold, its County seat, where his father was an attorney for approximately 30 years. He currently resides in Colts Neck, New Jersey. Mr. Sokol is a long time volunteer for Western Monmouth Habitat for Humanity as an attorney and also volunteers in representing the Colts Neck Reformed Church, where he is a member with his family.

Trial and Appellate Practice Areas:

Commercial Litigation and Arbitration, Prosecution and Defense
Primary Concentrations:

Construction:
Drafting and litigation of construction, architect and construction management contracts; litigation and arbitration addressing change orders, scheduling, delays, liquidated damages, latent/patent defects, termination, professional malpractice, liens.


Banking and Finance:
Note and personal guarantee defaults and collections; residential and commercial mortgage foreclosures; defense to lender liability claims.


Manufacturing:
Distributor/dealer agreements, dealer termination arbitration, warranty litigation, commercial code provisions applicable to purchase and sale of goods.


Title Litigation:
Boundary line disputes, competing title interests, conflicting lien priorities.


Employment Litigation and Arbitration:
Employment agreements, statutory protections, e.g. civil rights, conscientious employee, hours and wages, leave laws, workplace harassment.


Education:
Budget appeals, civil litigation, hearings before the Commissioner of Education, construction bidding, expulsion hearings, tenure charges, scope proceedings and hearings before the Public Employment Relations Commission, labor arbitration, appeals to the Appellate Division and Supreme Court of New Jersey.


Landlord/Tenant:
Summary dispossession actions, lease negotiation and drafting, rent collection.


Zoning, Planning and Land Use Development:
Counsel to land developers in connection with applications, including residential subdivisions and industrial and commercial projects; appearance before local Planning and Zoning Boards of Adjustment representing applicants, objectors and neighborhood associations; litigation on behalf of developers and objectors.


Non-Profit:
Representation of various non-profit organizations including religious institutions, civil education foundations, and philanthropic associations.

Accomplished attorney with a strong background in plaintiff personal injury, criminal defense, commercial transactions, business litigation, real estate and municipal matters. Skillfully adept at negotiating complex matters with outstanding results. Proven ability to successfully litigate a matter from its inception to trial while generating a large client base and annual gross income. Avid car and motorcycle enthusiast and owner of three start-up companies prior to completing law school. Second Degree Blackbelt who meets challenge head-on with self-discipline and an excellent work ethic. Appointed to serve as a Superior Court Arbitrator in five counties in South Jersey.

Mr. Johnson is admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey (state and federal courts) and is also admitted to practice before the Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit. He is a member of the American Bar Association Committee on Litigation, Tort and Insurance Practice and the Forum Committee on the Construction Industry. Mr. Johnson practices in the areas of construction law and litigation, commercial litigation, insurance coverage, surety law, and engineering and architectural malpractice. Mr. Johnson has been invited by the American Bar Association and the American Society of Civil Engineers to speak on the subjects of insurance in the construction industry and litigation involving product liability and design issues. Mr. Johnson is an approved mediator for the Superior Court of New Jersey in the areas of: Action in lieu of prerogative writ, commercial transactions, complex commercial litigation, construction, environmental litigation, insurance and professional malpractice.