May 8, 2017
On May 5, 2017 Barry A. Kozyra celebrated Law Day with students from Spring Garden School, who tried a case involving the 14th Amendment as to both due process and equal protection of the law. The mock trial fact pattern involved a female student who had shaved her head in violation of a school rule and was suspended, while male swim team members were allowed to shave their heads for their sport without sanction. The students played the roles of witnesses and co-counsel, and demonstrated an understanding of the issues, their legal rights and how the courts work when juries are involved.
April 26, 2017
MICHAEL J. RANKIN reports on a recent case where New Jersey's Appellate Division upheld the trial court's decision to grant Defendants' motion for summary judgment dismissing a complaint brought by Defendants' social guest who was allegedly injured at Defendants' home during an Easter party.
While leaving the Easter party at Defendants' home, Plaintiff's heel of her shoe caught on the metal weather-strip of the door threshold, and she fell into a sunken vestibule. Plaintiff alleged that the area at the time of the incident was dark due to the overhead chandelier being turned off. Plaintiff had visited Defendants' home on between fifteen to twenty prior occasions. During those times, Plaintiff always entered and exited using the same door and over the same threshold, and never(...)
April 18, 2017
MICHAEL J. RANKIN reports on a recent New Jersey Supreme Court decision concerning whether the attorney-review provision of a standard form real estate contract, which specifies that notice of disapproval must be transmitted to the real estate agent or broker by certified mail, telegram, or personal service, must be strictly enforced.
On January 12, 2014, prospective buyers signed a contract to purchase a certain condominium from the seller. The real estate agent prepared, and the parties used, a standard form real estate contract. Seller signed the contract on January 14, 2014.
The agreement included an attorney-review clause which gave the parties' respective attorneys three business days to review the contract before it became legally binding. If buyers' or seller's(...)
April 3, 2017
On Thursday, March 30, 2017, Michael J. Rankin was a speaker at an "open to the public" real estate seminar at the Kearny Bank located in Caldwell, New Jersey.
Michael J. Rankin discussed and answered questions regarding the process of selling and buying your home in today's market.
March 23, 2017
On March 23, 2017, the Essex County Bar Association (ECBA) hosted its annual Judicial Law Clerk luncheon at the Veterans Courthouse in Newark. Michael J. Rankin co-chaired the event for the ECBA.
The event provided Law Clerks with the opportunity to network with members of the ECBA and to learn more about the next steps in their career upon the completion of their clerkship.
Barry A. Kozyra and Michael J. Rankin appeared as panelists for the event discussing, amongst other things, the interviewing process for obtaining a position as an associate in a law firm and the importance and process of professional networking.
