Advise City Council, Mayor’s Office, and municipal agencies on drafting ordinances and regulations, evaluating constitutionality of City positions, and defend prerogative writ litigation challenging City actions. Obtained defense verdict in federal Fourth Amendment excessive force suit. Advise City Construction Board of Appeals and City Cannabis Control Board. Collaborate with Mayor’s Office, City’s Quality of Life Task Force, and community partners to address constituent concerns relating to health and safety in the City. Manage strategy for City land use and railroad abandonment proceedings. Litigate tort and condemnation actions at Superior Court and Appellate Division.

Litigated Insurance and Reinsurance matters in federal and state courts. Conducted extensive pre-litigation fact investigation and document review of personal injury, property damage, UM/UIM claims, and construction and labor law cases. Analyzed coverage disputes, including issuing coverage opinions and litigating coverage actions. Conducted discovery, including developing strategy for written discovery, expert discovery, production of documents, and taking and defending depositions of carriers and insureds. Drafted discovery and dispositive motions, conducted negotiations informally as well as in court-mandated mediation and alternative dispute resolution programs.

Litigated consumer protection, employment, and commercial litigation matters in federal and state courts from inception to resolution. Defended class action claims and representation of interested non-parties in large consumer class action cases.Particular focus on successful dispositive motion practice, mediation, and settlement.

Defended broad docket of employment matters on behalf of a nationwide restaurant chain, including Title VII ADA, ADEA, NJLAD, NYHRL, and NYCHRL claims. Acted as primary counsel for EEO investigations and agency actions in four states, including pre-litigation disputes and investigations. Won numerous determinations of ‘no probable cause’ as lead counsel in EEOC and related state agency hearings.

Hon. Michael A. Hammer, United States Magistrate Judge for the District of New Jersey