Roseland Lawyers

Amy M. Van Fossen is an Associate in Brach Eichler’s Tax and Estate Planning & Administration groups. Amy has considerable experience in sophisticated estate planning and administration. She assists clients in developing effective estate planning strategies to minimize transfer taxes, and is well-versed in employing the full range of estate planning tools, such as wills, revocable trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts, and other vehicles to protect high net worth individuals and multi-generational wealth. Amy also counsels private foundation clients, assisting with tax compliance, operational requirements, and other specific charitable entity concerns. Amy completed her LL.M. in Tax Law at the Villanova University...

Frances Stella has over 25 years of experience in federal and state environmental litigation, site remediation and environmental regulatory compliance and permitting, counseling in real estate redevelopment and transactions. Her environmental practice includes handling CERCLA, RCRA, CWA and associated state laws and regulations, including New Jersey Spill Act and ISRA claims and compliance issues, NYSDEC and NYSDOH site remediation and compliance issues, natural resource damage claims, cost recovery/contribution litigation and mediation, environmental insurance coverage litigation, environmental enforcement defense, defense of toxic torts, asbestos and vapor intrusion claims, and government compliance environmental investigations and audits. She handles site remediation negotiations with...

Michelle Katz handles all transactional aspects associated with residential real estate matters, representing both buyers and sellers. Michelle has been practicing law for over 30 years and, in her private practice, she focuses on residential and commercial real estate transactions including complex commercial real estate throughout the entire state of New Jersey. Known for her outstanding service, Michelle provides individuals and large corporate clients alike with experienced, professional advice and personalized attention.

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.

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...

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 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...

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...

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.

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...

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.

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.

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...

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...

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...

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.

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.

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...