Justia Legal Services & Lawyers Directory

Our highly trained staff is truly unique in the legal profession. Most have been with us for 15 to 20 years and are experts at dealing with you as an individual. We take the time to understand your special needs, problems and how your injuries, whether they be personal or financial have impacted your life, your family and your well being. Once we agree to represent you as a client, we have the reputation for investing the resources, whether it is time or money, necessary to win your case. We have developed a reputation for obtaining truly outstanding results in some of the most challenging cases ever brought. Free case review and consultation.

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Before Joining the Law Office of Lane Ferdinand, Mr. Weisbrot was associated with several leading plaintiff’s firms where he practiced in the areas of complex personal injury, wrongful death, class action and general commercial litigation. Mr. Weisbrot embraces progressive trial and law office technologies and uses those technologies for his client's benefit. Mr. Weisbrot is also a court certified arbitrator and represents select clients in criminal and municipal matters.

Steven Weisbrot, is admitted before to the bars of the State of New Jersey, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the district courts for the Districts of New Jersey, Eastern Pennsylvania and Central Pennsylvania.

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.

Patrick W. Begos is a founding member of the firm and senior partner in the Westport office. He heads the firm's trial and appellate group. Pat brings 19 years of litigation, arbitration, mediation and negotiation experience to the firm.

Prior to forming Begos Horgan & Brown, Patrick was a partner in the New York City litigation firm Molton & Meekins (1995-1998), and he was previously associated with Weil, Gotshal & Manges (1990-1995); and Lane & Mittendorf (1988-1990).

He is a current member of the Trial Tactics and the Life, Health and Disability Sections of the Defense Research Institute, and a member of the Public Investors Arbitration Bar Association. He is also a member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution and Trial Evidence subcommittees of the American Bar Association. He is a past member of the Committee on Art Law of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, and he is admitted to the bar in New York and Connecticut.

Patrick received his legal education from Columbia University School of Law (J.D) and did his undergraduate work at Johns Hopkins University (BA with honors).

Pat works primarily on cases involving business and personal disputes in a wide variety of commercial areas including:
- ERISA benefits
- insurance coverage
- securities transactions
- real estate development and property management
- employment
- copyright and trademark
- internet commerce
- secured lending
- fine art acquisitions and sales
- products liability
- real estate transactions
- bankruptcy
- corporate governance

His day-to-day practice includes:
- Defending ERISA claim administrators and disability insurers at trial and in appellate courts
- Pursuing lender liability and predatory lending claims on behalf of borrowers
- Representing real estate owners, buyers and sellers in disputes over sales, construction and land use
- Assisting business owners in solving problems with partners, shareholders, creditors and suppliers

Mr. Raff was admitted to the Bar in the State of New York in 1969. He serves as a federal court appointed Special Master in three complex employment and discrimination law cases. He is also an active labor arbitrator, mediator and fact finder on panels from the American Arbitration Association, National Mediation Board, New York State Mediation Board, New York City Office of Collective Bargaining and the New York State-CSEA Disciplinary Panel. He has served as a member of the New York State Human Rights Advisory Council and is presently a member of the American Arbitration Association's National Alternative Dispute Task Force.

As a full-time member of the faculty of New York University School of Law for ten years, Mr. Raff taught labor and employment law, arbitration, administrative law and trial practice. He has served as a consultant to New York City's Bureau of Labor Services, New York State's Financial Control Board and the New York State Deputy Comptroller for New York City Affairs. He has also served as the Chairman of the New York State Bar Association's Committee on Civil Rights from 1981 to 1985, and is currently a member of the American Bar Association, Labor and Employment Section, and New York State Bar Association, Labor and Employment Law Section, the Association of the Bar of the City of New York, and the Society for Professionals In Dispute Resolution. Mr. Raff is listed in Who's Who in American Law, Who's Who of Emerging Leaders in America, and Who's Who in The East. In 1996, Mr. Raff was honored by the New York City Chapter of the National Organization for Women, 1998, for his legal work supporting women's rights. In 1998, Mr. Raff was honored by being elected as a Fellow of the College of Labor and Employment Lawyers.

Born and raised in the suburbs of New York, Joshua was the oldest of four children. Born to two educators and raised in an open-minded and caring environment, Joshua was raised to prize open-thought, demand answers to questions left unanswered, and debate issues until resolved. As eldest son, his natural has always been to protect and demand justice.

There was never a question in the family of teachers that Josh would succeed in college and he did not disappoint, excelling in his majors of Psychology and Political Science at Rutgers University. It was no more than a natural progression from Rutgers to enrollment in law school at Widener Law School, where he again excelled in the class room while meticulously expanding his practical legal knowledge with a three year clerkship with Lee A. Ciccarelli.

Josh earned his Juris Doctor degree from Widener Law School. Immediately following his graduation, he passed the Pennsylvania and New Jersey bar exams and was admitted to practice before the Pennsylvania and New Jersey Supreme Courts. Josh' practice includes, civil and criminal litigation and family law cases, having vast experience in these areas from his three year clerkship with Lee Ciccarelli.

Whether you are looking for a divorce or family law attorney, consider Joshua Janis. Consider Joshua Janis as your Chester County divorce and family lawyer serving West Chester, Kennett Square, Exton, Downingtown; as well as divorce and family law in Delaware County & Montgomery County. Mr. Janis's other areas of practice include Personal Injury, Civil Litigation, Criminal Defense and Wills & Estates.

Joshua Janis is always willing to meet you in any of our locations including our main locations in Chester County including West Chester, Kennett Square and Exton. Contact him today whether you need help on a family or divorce law matter or personal injury and automobile accident case. Contact Joshua A. Janis for advice on your divorce, family law, custody or support question at (610) 692-8700.

CHESTER COUNTY LITIGATOR, PROPERTY TAX APPEALS

Ms. Kovan has a decade of "big firm" litigation experience. Now she offers that level of expertise to her clients at a more cost effective rate. Ms. Kovan’s litigation experience includes representing companies and individuals in state and federal court actions throughout the United States as well as securities matters pending before the National Association of Securities Dealers, New York Stock Exchange (collectively now known as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA“)) and the United States Securities Commission (“SEC”). Ms. Kovan has handled numerous securities related matters, including customer disputes, enforcement actions, SEC investigations and insider trading investigations/actions. Ms. Kovan has also represented clients in federal and state litigation and appeals.

Additionally, Ms. Kovan has represented clients in commercial and real estate disputes. Ms. Kovan has a long track record of successfully representing commercial and individual taxpayers in real estate tax assessment appeals throughout Pennsylvania. She has secured significant property tax savings for her clients, including representing a national telecommunications provider in state-wide tax appeals and a major international airport in its tax exemption appeals.

Ms. Kovan brings with her a unique understanding of business, as prior to law school, Ms. Kovan worked in the area of international trade finance in Vienna, Austria. In that capacity, she assisted large and small companies in the financing of import/export transactions (including letters of credit) throughout the world. She is fluent in German and proficient in French.

Ms. Kovan received her B.A. from Kenyon College. She is a magna cum laude, graduate of the Villanova University School of Law

Mr. Warren is a graduate of Rutgers College and Rutgers School of Law - Camden. Prior to joining the firm of McOmber & McOmber, P.C. Mr. Warren was associated with two other firms, as well as with Lawyers Title Insurance Corporation at its branch office located in Freehold, New Jersey. Mr. Warren has been with McOmber & McOmber, P.C. from 1980 until the present time.

Mr. Warren and his wife are residents of East Brunswick, Middlesex County, New Jersey. They are members of Saint Bartholomew Church also located in East Brunswick, New Jersey. He is a charter member of the Knights of Columbus Council Number 11873.

Mr. Warren is an Eagle Scout. He continued to actively participate in the Boy Scouts of America when his son became a Tiger Scout. Mr. Warren became an assistant Cubmaster/Cubmaster for Pack 109 and assistant Scoutmaster/Scoutmaster for Troop 109. Mr. Warren acted as an assistant Scoutmaster/Scoutmaster at two National Jamborees, and served as an assistant Scoutmaster at an International Jamboree as well. Mr. Warren is a Vigil member of the Order of the Arrow, Sakuwit Lodge No. 2. Mr. Warren has earned the Wood Badge which is the most advanced training available for Scout Leaders who are involved in the programs of the Boy Scouts of America.

Mr. Warren has also served as district chairman of the Semeos District of the Central New Jersey Council. In this regard, he has earned the District Award of Merit.

Primary Practice Areas:

Business:
Formation and representation of business entities including corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships.

Banking and Finance:
General representation of branch banks; preparation of bank policies, bank forms and documents, and commercial and residential loan documents; litigation on behalf of banks, seeking collection of funds, residential and commercial mortgage foreclosures, replevin of personal property, filing proofs of claim, adversarial proceedings, objections to discharges in bankruptcy court, defense to lender liability claims.

Real Estate:
Representation of sellers and purchasers in commercial, residential, and not-for-profit real estate transactions; counsel to borrowers and lenders in loan transactions.

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

Non-Profit:
Counsel to various non-profit organizations; preparation and revision of corporate by-laws, resolutions, negotiation and preparation of agreements between and among non-profits, municipalities, county and state governments and landowners; handling all real estate matters whether in fee or easements from contract negotiation and execution through closing, including all title, survey, environmental issues and financing.

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

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 and objectors.

Mr. McOmber is a third generation attorney and a lifelong resident of Monmouth County. He earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Tufts University in Medford, Massachusetts and a Juris Doctor from American University Washington College of Law, in Washington, D.C. In 1998, he was admitted to New Jersey and Federal District Court Bars and joined the firm of McOmber & McOmber, which was established by his parents, Richard and Adrienne McOmber, in 1974. He was promoted to partner in 2001. In 2004, Mr. McOmber moved to Red Bank with his wife, Dr. Nathalie Zenian McOmber, a general dentist who also practices in Monmouth County.

Mr. McOmber's primary areas of practice are civil litigation, land use and education law. He represents a number of municipal and regional boards of education and has handled extensive litigation and appeals on their behalf. He has successfully counseled many national corporations regarding complex development applications in New Jersey, including self-storage facilities and financial institutions. He has litigated favorably on behalf of corporations and public institutions regarding matters of public concern and attention. A number of his cases involving significant matters of law have been reported.

Mr. McOmber is a member of the St. Stepanos Armenian Apostolic Church in Elberon, New Jersey. He is an active participant in Armenian philanthropic organizations in the northeast. Amongst these activities, Mr. McOmber serves as master of ceremonies of an annual Armenian genocide remembrance program presented each April in New York City's Times Square. Regular speakers at this event include national senators and congressman. Mr. McOmber also serves as Secretary of the Kaboom Fireworks Committee, a non-profit organization, and helps organize the largest Fourth of July fireworks display in New Jersey.

Primary Practice Areas:

Business:
Formation and representation of business entities including corporations, limited liability companies, and partnerships.


Civil Litigation:
Collection actions, employment litigation, prosecution and defense litigation on behalf of individuals and corporations.


Education:
Civil litigation, charter school litigation, expulsion hearings, tenure charges, opinion letters, scope proceedings and hearings before the Public Employment Relations Commission, appeals to the Appellate Division, special education law including due process, emergent relief petitions, attendance at I.E.P. meetings, Section 504 actions and enforcement of administrative orders in Superior Court.


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


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


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


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.

I am a business litigator, Arbitrator, and Mediator.

Most entrepreneurs, professionals (including lawyers), and business managers and owners lack true and complete knowledge about Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR). I hope to educate and enlighten them regarding the advantages of ADR and avoiding more costly court litigation proceedings. I welcome the opportunity to discuss this with you and to debunk some of the inaccurate myths that seem to re-circulate, based on misinformation, old information, or lack of information about the realities of ADR. I also can tell you about the particular situations where – in contrast – court litigation is preferable to ADR or even necessary; one size does not fit all in the realm of business dispute resolution.

ADR allows parties to take more control over, and often lets them customize the resolution of, their disputes instead of simply having an unwelcome adjudication forced on them by a judge who is constrained more mechanically to apply limited facts to the law, rather than take a flexible and targeted approach for the greater good of the parties. ADR is usually cheaper, faster, less disruptive, and more beneficial to the parties overall. Disputing parties who utilize ADR usually come out more satisfied with the end result than do those who litigate in court.

If you would like to learn more, either in general or with regard specifically to your own present or future circumstances, please contact me.

I place particular emphasis upon effective, responsive communication with clients, helping to inform and guide them through the often unfamiliar and confusing maze of business litigation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Other central services include helping clients avoid business disputes by performing litigation risk management (troubleshooting for potential areas of litigation liability); representing clients who have received a subpoena from a governmental agency such as the New York State Attorney General or the United States Department of Justice; as well as drafting, reviewing, and/or negotiating confidentiality and non-competition agreements, commercial leases, and other types of contracts.

My firm practices primarily in New York State and Federal trial and appellate courts, and before arbitrators and mediators in the New York metropolitan area. Based on my unique level of experience in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), I provide ADR consultation services to other attorneys. I also serve regularly as New York or Long Island local counsel to out-of-state lawyers or companies involved in litigation in this region, respecting and protecting referring professionals' relationships with their clients.

My practice background includes clerkship with a federal Magistrate-Judge early in my legal training; service with a significant midtown Manhattan law firm; more than a decade as a partner in a medium-sized, high-quality Nassau County, Long Island law firm; and, since 2000, managing my own firm.

In addition to my law practice, I devote significant efforts to my service as a professional neutral commercial arbitrator for several major forums and as a private professional neutral commercial mediator. As an arbitrator, I hear and adjudicate business dispute cases, rendering binding Orders and Awards that are legally enforceable in court. As a mediator, I facilitate consensual resolution of business disputes, resulting in the parties' written settlement agreement. In each of my capacities, I handle conflict management in the context of business dispute resolution.

I also have personal experience running a small business: From 1988 through 2007, as President of a domestic real estate company owned by an Australian client, I managed autonomously the business operations and commercial real estate holdings of this entity, acting in all respects as a commercial landlord concerning property in Manhattan. I regularly serve on the boards of New York not-for-profit corporations, and help to run legal and business networking groups, enabling me to develop and foster a broad and deep network of trusted professionals on whom I can rely to assist my clients and colleagues for matters that are outside the areas of my expertise.

Business disputes should not be handled absent expert assistance. Not only should you not seek to deal with a brewing dispute by yourself, you also should be wary of hiring those whose legal practice focuses in other arenas (e.g., corporate transactional work; tax; real estate; personal injury; and the like) to handle the legal aspects of your business dispute. I don't presume to be able to practice in their areas; you should be cautious about having them venture into these specialized waters.