Essex County Lawyers

Christopher Benevento is an accomplished lawyer who has handled hundreds of complex criminal and DWI matters, matters in construction and business littigation, and personal injury for his clients. Mr. Benevento is a former U.S. Marine who brings Honor, Courage and Commitment to every case that he handles. Mr. Benevento is a recipient of the prestigious Super Lawyers Rising Star Award for 2018, 2019, and 2020, and a Super Lawyer in 2025. He continues to strive for excellence in the practice of law and client service.

Carol Grelecki represents the Firm’s healthcare clients in a wide variety of corporate and transactional matters. Her clients include physicians and physician groups, specialty practice societies, independent practice associations, hospitals, clinical laboratories, utilization managers, billing companies, and other medical professionals. Carol also advises clients with regard to compliance, including matters pertaining to Medicare billing, fraud and abuse, and the Stark and Codey Laws. Additionally, she represents clients in regulatory matters, including healthcare facility licensing issues and the preparation of required policies and procedures. She also reviews and negotiates managed care participation agreements and handles provider complaints against managed care...

Andrew J. Naideck is an attorney representing individuals and businesses in the areas of Bankruptcy, Real Estate, Wills and Estates, Traffic and Criminal, and Divorce matters.

Mark Lurie has over 20 years as a practicing attorney. The firm represents individuals in employment disputes, including litigating discrimination, harassment, retaliation, whistleblower, compensation/bonus/wage claims, and other employment-related disputes. We also represent employers in proactive measures to mitigate litigation risk, including preparation of policies and procedures, training and investigations. Mark also mediates employment disputes, and is included on the roster of New Jersey civil court-approved mediators as a R.1:40 qualified mediator. The firms also represents pharmaceutical, medical device and other healthcare entities on compliance-related issues. We help to identify risk, set up compliance programs, prepare policies, provide training, monitor...

Alois Habjan represents owners and operators of real estate, as well as real estate developers, in a wide range of commercial and residential transactions including sales, purchases, leases, refinancings, and mortgage-backed securitizations.

Rebecca Falk is an associate attorney at Brach Eichler. She is a member of the firm’s Healthcare practice group, where she negotiates, drafts, and advises on variety transactions, including payor arrangements and employment relationships. Rebecca approaches her practice with enthusiasm and ingenuity drawing from her passion for medical research, science, and law. She also advises the firm’s healthcare provider clients on regulatory matters, such as the No Surprises Act and HIPAA. Before joining Brach Eichler, Rebecca worked as an associate at Wolfe Pincavage. She also served as a legal intern at Hercules Pharmaceuticals, Inc. and was a research assistant at...

John R. Zepka is an Associate in the firm’s Corporate Transactions & Financial Services Practice. John has an extensive corporate practice, representing clients in corporate structure and governance matters, mergers/acquisitions, joint ventures and investments, financing and loan transactions. John is frequently called upon to serve as counsel to companies of all sizes, advising on day-to-day legal and operational issues. His clients appreciate that he stands shoulder to shoulder with them as they navigate the complex business marketplace.

Paul J. DeMartino, Jr. is an experienced business litigator representing clients in a broad range of commercial disputes in healthcare and real estate industries among others. Paul specializes in healthcare litigation with an emphasis in representing physicians, medical practices, ambulatory surgery centers and hospital systems navigate through complex business matters often involving contractual and shareholder disputes. More specifically, Paul has first-hand knowledge of the delicate issues that physicians and medical providers encounter daily from a clinical and regulatory perspective to the interpolitics between practice members, partners, employees, and hospital staff. Paul is an experienced advocate for clients involving restrictive covenants,...

Ashley L. Matias concentrates her practice on labor and employment. Ashley represents employers and individual employees in the private and public sector in matters involving state and federal claims of discrimination, harassment, retaliation, whistleblowing, and wage and hour violations. Ashley specializes in matters involving pregnancy discrimination and assists employers and employees in navigating federal and state leave laws and requests for pregnancy-related accommodations. Ashley has appeared before state and federal agencies, including the Division on Civil Rights (“DCR”) and the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (“EEOC”) and has participated in mediations to amicably resolve employment matters of all kinds. Ashley uses her...

Aladekemi (Kemi) Omoregie is an Associate in the Brach Eichler’s General Litigation Group. Prior to joining Brach Eichler, Kemi was an Intellectual Property and General Litigation Associate at her previous law firm in New Jersey. Previously, Kemi clerked for the Honorable Thomas W. Sumners, Jr., J.A.D., in the New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division. Kemi is an active member of the Garden State Bar Association where she sits on the Judicial Clerkship and Communications Committees and of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Incorporated where she sits on the Enhance Our Environment Committee of her local chapter.

Brian Peykar represents real estate developers, investors, and lenders in a wide range of commercial real estate transactions, including multifamily, office, industrial, and retail projects in New Jersey and New York. He has extensive knowledge and experience working in real estate development, real estate finance, real estate lending, asset purchase and sales, and commercial leasing. Brian routinely represents commercial lenders in loan originations including construction and term loans. Client projects involving secured loans have included hotels, multifamily, mixed-use, and office and retail developments.

Daniel J. Plaia is a results-oriented lawyer who focuses on representing plaintiffs in personal injury and trial litigation matters. Daniel brings a compassionate approach to client care and to negotiations and uses it to his client’s advantage. Prior to joining Brach Eichler, Daniel worked for a global casualty insurance company where he gained valuable trial experience successfully handling several automobile and slip and fall cases to verdict. In addition, Daniel worked for a national law firm in their New York office where he handled all aspects of construction and Labor Law litigation.

Lauren Adornetto Woods is a litigator with experience representing businesses and individuals in a variety of federal and state court matters, with a focus on complex commercial litigation. In addition to breach of contract disputes, Lauren’s experience extends to construction litigation, labor and employment and premises liability matters, insurance defense, and consumer fraud class actions. She has also represented individual officers and directors defending against claims of fraud, breach of fiduciary duties, and other torts. Lauren is analytical, detail-oriented, and tailors her approach to each matter based on the particular needs and goals of her clients, with a focus on results....

David J. Ritter, Jr. focuses his practice in the following areas: estate planning, estate administration, corporate organization, corporate transactions (M&A) and commercial loans. David is knowledgeable in preparing wills, revocable trusts, living wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare agent designations. He advises clients on the many ways to structure these documents, including creating trusts to hold assets for the benefit of children or loved ones, and establishing an estate plan that achieves client objectives while minimizing tax consequences. David also reviews non-probate assets that will not pass pursuant to a will to ensure that an estate plan is properly coordinated. Regardless...

Richard Robins represents hospitals, physicians, dentists and other health care practitioners and civil litigants in state and federal trial and appellate courts, licensure and arbitration proceedings and transactional matters. Richard also represents clients in criminal matters, including health care and kickback investigations, prosecutions, and parole disputes. He has successfully litigated actions in the New Jersey Supreme Court and other jurisdictions including complex breach of contract, employment discrimination, restrictive covenant, denial of medical staff privileges, retaliatory discharge and contested guardianship cases. Richard also represents clients in complex business and medical and dental practice formation matters including new member buy-ins, employment agreements,...

John Simeone focuses his practice on litigation. His experience spans across multiple practice areas including trusts and estates litigation and employment litigation. Prior to joining private practice, John clerked for the Honorable Jose L. Fuentes in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division. During his clerkship, John drafted judicial memoranda and opinions to aid Judge Fuentes in resolving cases on his docket.

Tom Spies’ practice focuses on a wide range of corporate and complex commercial litigation and includes matters ranging from shareholder and partnership disputes to fraud cases involving hundreds of millions of dollars. He also handles distributorship and antitrust matters that involve price fixing, monopolization, termination, and the New Jersey Franchise Practice Act. Additionally, Tom handles almost every aspect of employment litigation. He also has extensive experience counseling clients on avoiding a variety of administrative agency infractions as well as litigating such issues. Known for his tenacity and meticulous preparation, Tom’s approach to litigation matters includes consistently “landing the first punch” and an...

David L. Tsin combines his skills as a seasoned attorney and M.B.A. graduate, his background as a Certified Public Accountant*, and his professional experience, including prior “Big Law” and “Big Four” experience, to address a wide range of corporate, securities, and other business law matters. David’s business acumen, versatility, judgment, attention to detail, zealous advocacy for clients, interpersonal skills, and problem-solving abilities have been valuable in myriad matters. David has considerable experience advising and representing clients in connection with acquisitions, dispositions, mergers, joint ventures, private equity investments, financing arrangements, employment agreements, securities offerings, other commercial contracts and transactions, compliance with securities...

Cynthia Liba provides legal counsel to various health care entities including ambulatory care facilities, physicians, and hospitals. Her focus is primarily on health care business transactions and regulatory compliance issues. Prior to joining Brach Eichler, Cynthia was an Agency Attorney at the New York City Human Resources Administration (HRA) within the Office of Legal Affairs, Health and Community Services Litigation and Program Counseling Unit. Cynthia also served as a legal intern with the United States Attorney’s Office, Civil Division – Western District of Pennsylvania; the University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Department of Risk Management; and the New York State Attorney...

For over 30 years, I have been providing counsel on income and estate tax planning for individuals as well as their businesses and investments. I provide business succession and sophisticated estate planning services to a wide range of clients. I bring to my practice deep knowledge of a myriad of business transactions and restructuring and the tax consequences of such transactions.

My name is David DiBrigida and as a personal injury attorney I have been helping accident victims recover money from insurance companies since 1992.

Every day thousands of people like you are injured in car accidents.…and even a minor car accident can be a major inconvenience resulting in pain and suffering, unpaid medical bills, and time missed from work.

I will personally handle your case from start to finish and I will keep you informed by answering your questions and addressing your concerns promptly and professionally.

While I have represented thousands of car accident victims and helped them recover money from insurance companies,...

Brian W. Brown is an experienced litigator who handles every type of Plaintiff’s personal injury case including wrongful death, premises liability, and construction accidents. He has tried numerous bench and jury trials throughout New Jersey. Brian began his legal career as a defense attorney representing large corporations and insurance companies in the defense of personal injury lawsuits. As a result, Brian knows how insurance companies will defend cases and now uses this knowledge to aggressively obtain the best possible results for his clients. Brian is a graduate of the Morris Pashman Inn of Court where he further developed his litigation and trial...

Ellen De Lisi is a transactional attorney focused on all aspects of commercial lending. She represents institutional lenders primarily in New Jersey and Pennsylvania in varied transactions involving real estate and corporate/asset-based loans. Ellen has experience in both secured and unsecured financings, including acquisition, construction, permanent and health care loans as well as lines of credit, participations, and co-lending arrangements. Ellen also represents institutional lenders in modifications and amendments to all types of commercial lending transactions.

Erika Marshall provides legal counsel to medical professionals and healthcare entities in the area of healthcare business transactions and related matters. Prior to joining Brach Eichler, Erika worked in the franchise division of Realogy Holdings Corporation where she handled multi-branded franchise agreements in the contracts department. Previously, she was an Associate at Ambrosio, De Pierro & Wernick, LLC where she worked on various types of matters encompassing civil litigation, family law, and legal malpractice.

Over the past 16 years, I have represented a wide variety of clients across numerous industries in high-stakes “hardball” commercial litigation. I am experienced in all areas of business litigation including, real estate, corporate shareholder and partnership battles, trusts and estates, lending and finance, intellectual property protection, employment, healthcare, bankruptcy adversary proceedings, foreclosure, and complex contractual controversies. In addition, I hold the Certified Trial Attorney designation by the New Jersey Supreme Court, a distinction reserved for less than 2% of the attorneys in New Jersey.

Mark E. Critchley focuses his practice on assisting business and individual clients in contractual and commercial disputes. Mark is an experienced litigator in federal and state courts involving contractual disputes, consumer fraud, shareholder disputes, construction litigation and probate litigation. Mark works with clients at all stages to achieve the most efficient and beneficial result for the client. Prior to joining Brach Eichler, Mark was a Deputy Attorney General for over five years with the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, Division of Law. As a member of the Consumer Fraud Prosecution Section, Mark led investigations and litigations on behalf of...

Co-Chair, Labor and Employment. Matthew Collins has extensive experience representing clients in all aspects of labor and employment law. He provides strategic counsel to clients on a wide range of labor and employment issues such as discrimination; harassment; whistleblowing; discipline and discharge; layoffs; collective bargaining agreements; reasonable accommodations for disabled employees; and compliance with state and federal family and medical leave acts and applicable wage and hour laws. He also conducts training in these areas for executives, directors, managers, supervisors, and employees and conducts internal investigations of employee complaints. Matthew drafts and provides advice on employment contracts, employment manuals, personnel policies...

The Honorable Lisa F. Chrystal (Ret.) joined Brach Eichler after serving 22 years as a Judge of the New Jersey Superior Court. Judge Chrystal concentrates her practice in the areas of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), mediation and arbitration, as well as discovery management. A compassionate and attentive listener known for her legal acumen and her responsible and equitable counsel, Judge Chrystal focuses on civil cases and family law matters, prejudgment and post judgement, as well as custody and parenting time and the resolution of disputes through mediation, typically a more amicable and cost effective approach than litigation. Judge Chrystal also...

Eric J. Boden Esq. provides dedicated and thorough representation in complex civil litigation matters, with an emphasis on business partnership disputes, trusts and estates conflicts, and healthcare matters. Eric works closely with each client to custom tailor litigation strategies to meet the client’s objectives. Prior to joining Brach Eichler, Eric spent four years as a Deputy Attorney General at the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office, where he played a key role in complex investigations and high-profile enforcement actions involving the New Jersey False Claims Act and Consumer Fraud Act, spanning a broad range of industries, including pharmaceuticals, healthcare, transportation, technology, construction,...

Christopher Geddis focuses on products liability, medical malpractice, and personal injury litigation. Before joining the firm, he served as a law clerk to the Honorable Richard S. Hoffman of the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey. He also served as an intern to both the Honorable Marie E. Lihotz of the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey and the Honorable Lynn N. Hughes of the United States District Court for the Southern District of Texas. He is admitted to practice law in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Mr. Geddis is currently the Vice...

Cheryl Ritter assists clients in the development and implementation of estate and gift planning matters including wills, trusts, financial powers of attorney, living wills, and health care agent designations. In this role, Cheryl counsels individual clients on the tax-efficient transfer of wealth using a variety of strategies, including dynasty trusts, life insurance trusts (individual and survivorship), qualified personal residence trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts, charitable trusts, limited liability companies, and sales to intentionally defective grantor trusts, among others. Cheryl develops estate plans tailored to the specific needs and goals of each client, considering factors such as the unique asset mixes...

Vanessa Coleman is an associate in the Healthcare Law practice group at Brach Eichler, focusing her practice on general corporate, transactional, regulatory as well as litigation matters. Prior to joining Brach Eichler, Vanessa was a Deputy Attorney General at the State of New Jersey Office of the Attorney General. Vanessa provided legal counsel to healthcare regulatory agencies that issue professional licenses including the state boards of medical examiners, nursing, pharmacy, respiratory care, ophthalmic dispensers and technicians, kosher/halal group, and chiropractic examiners. Prior to her work at the Attorney General’s office, Vanessa clerked at the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office in the...

Debra Levine brings an extensive background in the law governing healthcare and professional licensure to Brach Eichler, specifically in the areas of state regulation, disciplinary matters, and the interrelationship between the various scopes of practice associated with different categories of licenses. She focuses her work on the business aspects of the practice of medicine as well as on provider disciplinary matters. Prior to joining Brach Eichler, Debra was, for 27 years, counsel to the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners, where she was responsible for advising the Board on disciplinary, investigative, and regulatory matters. Debra counseled the Board during Board...

Jeremy Hylton is a litigator focusing on personal injury and appellate advocacy. As a former defense attorney, Jeremy utilizes his knowledge to navigate his clients through the intricacies of the legal adversarial system and understands what it takes to posture your case for the best possible resolution. Jeremy has considerable trial experience and is always willing to pursue a jury verdict on behalf of his clients if a settlement cannot be reached.

Marvin Hammerman is a personal injury and civil litigation attorney and the managing partner / founder of Hammerman Rosen LLP. He has a background in civil litigation and insurance defense at a prominent New Jersey law firm and leveraged his experience defending insurance companies into representing individuals and families. He now represents victims of personal injury with serious injuries as a result of another parties' negligence, in addition to general civil litigation. Marvin is also a professional civil mediator, with a background in cognitive psychology and mediation, and has a successful track record of resolving cases and consumer disputes. Mr....