Peapack Lawyers

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.

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...

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...

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.

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.

I was born and raised in NJ. graduating Emory Law School, Atlanta Georgia in 1978. I was a Governor's Intern assigned to the Union County Prosecutor in 1977 while in Law School and became an Assistant Prosecutor there,1980-83. I was assigned to the Appellate Section, Juvenile Section, Assignment Judge's Trial Team, Elizabeth Project Trial Team, and the Narcotic Strike Force, handling over 300 files and trying 28 case to verdict. I learned how the police and prosecutors think and act.

I have only practiced criminal defense since leaving the Prosecutor's Office, first as a partner at Nassberg...

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...

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.

Jeffrey Itzkowitz has over 30 years’ experience in all aspects of transactional real estate. His practice is primarily focused on commercial and corporate real estate transactions including leasing, sales, acquisitions, and all types of financing. His portfolio of matters includes development and construction projects, including the development of residential apartment houses, condominium, townhome, and single-family communities; conversions of existing properties to the condominium and cooperative form of ownership; limited liability company partnerships and related work; and environmental and land use issues. Jeffrey’s work also includes the representation of clients and landlords in the residential multifamily industry, as well as the...

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...

Andrew W. Li, Counsel, represents consumers who are entitled to protection under state and federal consumer protection laws. His practice involves both individual claims and class actions involving consumer fraud and deceptive trade practices, including motor vehicle sales and repairs, home improvement contracts, abusive debt collection practices, and other types of protected consumer transactions. Mr. Li received his Juris Doctorate from Tulane Law School in 1997. He attended St. John’s College, where he graduated in 1993 with a Bachelor of Arts in the History of Mathematics and Science and in Philosophy, including metaphysics, ethics, and political theory. He...

Matt spends his time advising startups, mid-size companies, and entrepreneurs, primarily with intellectual property issues. He helps his clients advance their business goals by working with them to create, develop, and subsequently leverage their intellectual property portfolios, with emphasis on patent law and trademark law. Matt is one of the few true specialists on the intersection of intellectual property, cannabis, and hemp, and has been active in the space since 2017. Matt has obtained patents and trademarks on behalf of his clients in the cannabis industry, for both plant-touching and ancillary businesses. Matt is a regular speaker at cannabis industry...

UNION COUNTY COLLEGE AA 1978 MONTCLAIR STATE COLLEGE BA 1979 Seton Hall University School of LAW 1983 27 YEARS OF TRIAL EXPERIENCE ADMITTED SUPERIOR COURT OF NJ & FEDERAL DESTRICT COURT Member Union County Bar Assoc Member NJ Bar Association - Criminal & Family Law Sections Arbitrator Superior Court of NJ

Eric A. Strulowitz graduated from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania with a B.S. in Accounting. He is a C.P.A. Eric attended Boston University Law School, graduating in 1986. He earned an L.L.M. in tax law at New York University in 1989. Since then, Eric has worked in private law firms in the areas of tax law, sophisticated estate planning and estate administration and general corporate and business law.

Strulowitz Law Firm LLC was formed by Eric A. Strulowitz, Esq. to provide skilled and adept legal representation in the areas of estate tax planning, wealth transfer planning, estate administration,...

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...

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,...

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,...

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.

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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.

My goal is to arm my clients with the best possible knowledge about their bankruptcy, family, criminal, or tax cases, while advocating for the best outcome.

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...

Mr. Torrenzano is an accomplished trial attorney who is passionate in fighting for justice. His calm demeanor combined with his litigation experience creates a guiding force that helps his clients to recover in Court for the harms they have suffered. Mr. Torrenzano is licensed to practice in New York and New Jersey State Courts, as well as Federal Courts in the Eastern District of New York, Southern District of New York and the U.S Court of Military Appeals. He has been successful in recovering for his clients for the harms they have suffered in numerous trials throughout the five boroughs...

20 years of experience assisting clients in New Jersey in all aspects of Family matters, including divorce, alimony, equitable distribution, custody, support, domestic violence, child welfare and post-Judgment enforcement. Criminal Defense work in Superior and Municipal Courts after starting my career as an assistant prosecutor in Virginia. Basic Estate planning and administration.