Gillette Lawyers

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.

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...

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...

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....

Autumn McCourt represents corporate and individual clients in litigation involving both civil and criminal matters in state and federal courts. Known for her tenacity and thorough approach, Autumn has significant experience representing clients in a wide variety of matters. These include business contract disputes, consumer fraud actions, employment disputes, construction disputes, shareholder disputes, unfair competition, healthcare fraud involving Medicare and Medicaid, insurance fraud, real estate disputes, personal injury, legal malpractice, landlord/tenant disputes, DUI defense, expungements, and possession charges. She has also defended employers against discrimination and harassment claims. Prior to joining Brach Eichler, Autumn was a civil law clerk with the...

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...

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.

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.

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,...

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...

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.

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...