Month: February 2018

Springfield, NJ – Mauro Savo is pleased to announce that firm attorney Alexander Fisher has been appointed as Planning Board attorney in the Township of Springfield (Union County).

Springfield, a municipality of approximately 15,817 in Union County, is one of the main suburban enclaves along New Jersey’s busy Route 78 corridor. Just miles from the Ports of Newark and Elizabeth, and home to the world-famous Baltusol Golf Club (host of the 2016 PGA Championship), Springfield is at the epicenter of one of North Jersey’s thriving suburban communities. Mauro Savo is a happy to partner with Springfield as it looks to address its land use challenges and foster sensible and efficient planning within its borders.

Mr. Fisher, a graduate of Rutgers University Law School in Newark, is a rising star in Land Use and Redevelopment Law, Municipal Law, Construction Law, Landlord/Tenant Law, and Litigation in New Jersey. A former law clerk for the Honorable Fred Kumpf, J.S.C. and a veteran of the chambers of United States District Judges Susan D. Wigenton and Michael A. Shipp, Alex has represented a diverse array of clients in all types of litigation matters and has a burgeoning land use practice. He presently represents the South Plainfield Planning Board, the East Brunswick Board of Adjustment, and is a Deputy Township Attorney for Bridgewater Township. Among other matters, he recently argued the matter of 388 Route 22 Readington Realty Holdings, LLC v. Twp. of Readington, before the New Jersey Supreme Court, a novel matter involving the parameters of a municipality’s obligation to recapture unused sewer allocation. He also recently prevailed in the matter of Hillsborough Towne Center Associates, LLC v. Board of Adjustment of the Township of Hillsborough before the New Jersey Appellate Division, another novel matter involving the interpretation of land use ordinances which include bulk restrictions as a required component of permitted principal uses. He has lectured on Land Use Law and Landlord/Tenant Law for the Somerset County Bar Association. He brings deep and broad knowledge in every facet of planning and zoning law and has guided both municipality and applicant through the complex maze of land use practice in New Jersey.

Mauro Savo is proud to add the Springfield Township our roster of municipal clients and looks forward to assisting the Township and working with its team of professionals in all aspect of open space acquisition and management.

Somerville, NJ, October 10, 2016 – Managing Partner Charles Z. Schalk, Esq., of the law firm of Savo, Schalk, Gillespie, O’Grodnick & Fisher, recently settled two law suits on behalf of wrongfully-terminated workers within the span of one week for an aggregate amount of $230,000. The two separate claims were filed pursuant to New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination (LAD) statute.

Every day in New Jersey, employees are discriminated against and terminated based upon their age, disability, gender, race and a host of other characteristics. Charles Z. Schalk is an experienced practitioner in this area with a proven track record in delivering for employees who are victims of this pattern of conduct. Conduct Savo, Schalk, Gillespie, O’Grodnick & Fisher today for a consultation and to learn your rights.

East Brunswick, NJ, August 18, 2016 – Mauro Savo is pleased to announce that firm partner Alexander G. Fisher prevailed in a landmark land use case concerning the construction of commercial cell towers in residential zones.

The matter, New York SMSA LTD Partnership d/b/a Verizon Wirless v. Zoning Board of Adjustment of the Township of East Brunswick (MID-L-4826-15), began as an application before the East Brunswick Zoning Board of Adjustment, to whom Mr. Fisher is counsel. The Board denied Verizon’s application for certain variances from the Township’s municipal land use ordinance to construct a cell tower in a residential area. Upon this denial, Verizon filed suit in the Middlesex Vicinage of the New Jersey Superior Court seeking a court order reversing the Board’s decision.

Mr. Fisher served as trial counsel for East Brunswick and aggressively contested the matter before Judge James P. Hurley, J.S.C. Finding that Verizon produced insufficient evidence to overturn the judgement of the Township’s Zoning Board, Judge Hurley opined that any benefit Verizon’s tower might provide was “insufficient when compared to the intrusion of a second, non-permitted principal use onto a lot that contains a non-conforming use in a residential area.” Pending an appeal, Judge Hurley’s ruling upholds the Zoning Board’s denial of Verizon’s request for variances and prevents the construction the proposed tower in the residential zone.

Our firm commends Mr. Fisher for his hard work on this matter. Thanks to his efforts in collaboration with the residents and professional of East Brunswick Township, the resolution of the Board of Adjustment was upheld and the municipality’s zoning ordinance affirmed by the court. Mauro Savo takes great pride in efficient and effective representation of all of our municipal and county clients and is proud to have delivered this result for the residents of East Brunswick.

Somerville, NJ, July 26, 2016 – Attorney Christopher M. Corsini, Esq., of the law firm of Savo, Schalk, Gillespie, O’Grodnick & Fisher, recently settled a claim for a Somerset County man who suffered a catastrophic injury in the course of his employment. The firm’s client, a mechanic at a Somerset County automotive dealer, was injured when the mobile fuel storage tank he was operating malfunctioned. Our client suffered multiple traumatic injuries, including a five-level cervical spine herniation necessitating surgery at two levels, a three-level herniation of the lumbar spine necessitating surgery at one level, and injuries to the right hand necessitating partial amputation of the right thumb. In addition to securing our client appropriate medical benefits and temporary wages, Mr. Corsini was able to resolve the claim at permanency for $287,378.40, just short of the maximum amount allowed pursuant to New Jersey’s worker’s compensation statute.

June 23, 2016 – Firm attorneys Alexander Fisher, Esq. and Michael O’Grodnick, Esq. have published an article, “Landlord-Tenant Practice Tips”, in the current issue of the Somerset County Bar Association’s The Clarion magazine. This article details the background law and procedure for pursuing a landlord-tenant claim in the State of New Jersey. Alex and Mike, both seasoned practitioners in this area, provide a comprehensive journey through the intricacies of this important but often poorly-understood area of the law.

The Clarion, the Somerset County Bar Association’s flagship publication, is distributed to that organization’s member-attorneys. The SCBA consists of attorneys who practice or reside in Somerset County and The Clarion is the publication of record of attorneys who frequent the Somerset County Courthouse. The article is reproduced in its entirety below.

Alex and Mike are experts in virtually every aspect of landlord-tenant law and stand ready, along with all of our the professionals at Savo, Schalk, Gillespie, O’Grodnick & Fisher, P.C., to serve clients in all their legal needs in this and other areas.

Non-Payment Of Rent Landlord-Tenant Practice Tips Article

Somerville, NJ, May 10, 2016 – Attorney Christopher M. Corsini, Esq., of the law firm of Savo, Schalk, Gillespie, O’Grodnick & Fisher, recently resolved a claim for a Somerset County man who was injured in a motor vehicle accident. The firm’s client, an off-duty Morris County police officer, was injured when he was struck on the New Jersey Turnpike while rendering assistance to a victim of another accident. Our client suffered significant injuries in the form of an orbital bone fracture and associated nerve damage, as well as scarring and other trauma. Following significant medical and fact discovery, as well as mediation before a federal magistrate, Mr. Corsini was able to resolve the claim for $195,000.

Somerset County Business Partnership to honor Michael Camerino as Citizen of the Year

Manville, NJ, April 6, 2016 – Mauro Savo is pleased to announce that firm attorney Christopher Corsini has been appointed as counsel to the newly-formed Borough of Manville Land Use Board.

Manville, a municipality of approximately 10,000 in Somerset County, is a borough in transition from an industrial hub to a dynamic modern municipality. Having been particularly hard hit by flooding during Hurricane Irene and winds and power outages during Hurricane Sandy, the Borough faces a series of unique planning and zoning challenges during this period in its history. Mauro Savo is a happy to partner with Manville as it looks to address these challenges and foster sensible and efficient planning for its residents.

Mr. Corsini, a graduate of Seton Hall University Law School in Newark, has a diverse and expanding government and public policy practice. A former law clerk for the Honorable Yolanda Ciccone, A.J.S.C., Chris has represented government entities and private clients in a diverse array of matters. Formerly a deputy county counsel for the County of Somerset and lead worker’s compensation defense attorney for the Somerset County Joint Insurance Fund, and currently deputy township attorney for Bridgewater Township, Chris has developed an expertise in navigating the labyrinth of state and local government practice in the State of New Jersey.

Mauro Savo is proud to add the Manville Land Use Board to our roster of municipal clients and looks forward to assisting the Borough and working with its team of professionals in all aspect of planning, zoning and land use management.

It is our pleasure to share an important announcement from our office. Alex Fisher has become a partner with our firm.

We are excited about Alex becoming partner. He is an extremely talented and accomplished attorney with an incredibly bright future ahead of him. His reputation is excellent and the results that he produces exceptional. He has the great respect of our clients, the judiciary and our office.

He is a pivotal piece for our firm going forward. We are extremely happy to share this good news with you.