Javerbaum Wurgaft Hicks Kahn Wikstrom & Sinins

03/30/2026

Javerbaum Wurgaft Partner Zach Green recently settled two school bullying cases for a total of $815,000 against two New Jersey school boards.

In the first case against the Red Bank Regional High School District Board of Education settling for $490,000, the matter involved allegations of inappropriate touching of a female high school student by her male teacher, which included touching on the back, shoulders, and thigh during class. After reporting the teacher, the student became the target of bullying by her classmates for reporting the teacher. The student alleged that the District failed to protect her from the initial touching by this teacher, despite complaints from prior students, and that it failed to protect her from the subsequent bullying. As a result, she suffered mental health distress and was placed on home instruction for a portion of her senior year.

In a second matter against the Lyndhurst School District Board of Education settling for $325,000, a student diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) alleged he was repeatedly bullied by his classmates beginning at the end of 6th grade through 8th grade based on his disability. Despite numerous HIB reports filed by the student’s mother in which she alleged that her son was being targeted based on his disability, the District failed to find that any of the incidents met the definition of bullying and failed to take appropriate action to protect the student. As a result, the student suffered from physical exacerbations of his other medical conditions and anxiety. In addition to the monetary settlement, the District agreed to provide continued placement at an approved private school for students with disabilities for the next three school years.

Mr. Green has successfully litigated cases involving school bullying and assault. He also has substantial experience litigating cases involving medical malpractice, nursing home neglect, motor vehicle accidents, and slip and fall accidents.

03/25/2026

Javerbaum Wurgaft Partner Tim Fonseca was a guest on a Ringler Radio podcast discussing humanizing the settlement process.

Watch the full episode here 🔗 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UHkmlk-U4Xs&pp=iggCQAE%3D.

What does it really mean to settle a case the right way? In this episode of Ringler Radio, host Matt is joined by attorney Timothy Fonseca, partner at Javerb...

03/20/2026

Javerbaum Wurgaft is proud to present this year’s group of 24 JW Super Lawyers listed on SuperLawyers 2026 and 8 Rising Stars*:

Eric G. Kahn - Personal Injury, Plaintiff - Top 100
Rubin M. Sinins - Criminal Defense - Top 100
Drake P. Bearden, Jr. - Employment Litigation, Plaintiff
Michelle Benedek-Barone - Family Law
Lizanne J. Ceconi - Family Law
Erica Domingo - Employment Litigation, Plaintiff
Dennis M. Drasco - Business Litigation
Lauren D. Fraser - Personal Injury, Plaintiff
Timothy J. Fonseca - Personal Injury, Plaintiff
Michael A. Galpern - Personal Injury, Plaintiff
Robert G. Hicks - Medical Malpractice, Plaintiff
Jeffrey T. Kampf - Personal Injury, Plaintiff
Andrew M. Moskowitz - Employment Litigation, Plaintiff
Wayne J. Positan - Employment Litigation, Defense
Jeffrey A. Rizika - Personal Injury, Plaintiff
Francisco J. Rodriguez - Medical Malpractice, Plaintiff
Gary E. Roth - Employment & Labor
Paul A. Sandars, III - Construction Litigation
Lawrence M. Simon - Personal Injury, Plaintiff
Scott M. Sinins - Personal Injury, Plaintiff
Gina M. Sorge - Family Law
Annabelle M. Steinhacker - Personal Injury, Plaintiff
David L. Wikstrom - Professional Liability, Plaintiff
Gregg A. Wisotsky - Criminal Defense

Congratulations to the following 2025 New Jersey Rising Stars:

Brian N. Biglin - General Litigation
Karina Garcia - Personal Injury, Plaintiff
Zachary Green - Personal Injury, Plaintiff
Brittany Hanley - Personal Injury, Plaintiff
Lauren B. Jones - Personal Injury, Plaintiff
Elissa W. LeVine - Family Law
Henrique Pagani - Workers Compensation
Geoffrey J. Smith - Personal Injury, Plaintiff

*No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Click here (https://www.javerbaumwurgaft.com/awards-methodology/) for Award Methodology.

03/16/2026

Rubin Sinins Designated as Vice Chair of Board of Attorney Certification

The New Jersey Supreme Court Board on Attorney Certification (the “Board”) has designated Javerbaum Wurgaft Partner Rubin M. Sinins, who currently serves on the Board, as Board Vice-Chair for the one-year term that begins January 1, 2026, through December 31, 2026.

Mr. Sinins is a certified civil trial attorney, a certified criminal trial attorney, and a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Mr. Sinins represents individual and corporate clients in a host of legal contexts.

His litigation experience is wide-ranging, from the defense of complex investigations, civil complaints, and criminal charges to the prosecution of diverse civil claims, including fraud, breach of contract, wrongful termination, whistleblower actions, invasion of privacy, defamation, wrongful death, personal injury, and sexual abuse. He has tried numerous cases in criminal, civil, and equity courts. He also represents licensed professionals before regulatory boards.

Mr. Sinins earned his B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Pennsylvania and his J.D. from the George Washington University National Law Center, where he was a Notes Editor of the George Washington Law Review.

03/12/2026

Congratulations to Javerbaum Wurgaft attorney Alex Fajardo on being selected to ROI-NJ’s Power List 2026 – Law.

Read the full feature here 🔗 https://www.roi-nj.com/2026/03/09/roi-influencers/power-list/2026-power-list/law-2026/roi-influencers-power-list-2026-law-alex-fajardo/.

03/05/2026

Javerbaum Wurgaft Partners Appear Before New Jersey Supreme Court as Amicus Counsel Regarding Child Sexual Abuse Act

On Tuesday, March 3, 2026, Javerbaum Wurgaft Managing Shareholder Eric G. Kahn and Partner Annabelle Steinhacker argued a case before the New Jersey Supreme Court as amicus on behalf of the New Jersey Association for Justice in J.H. v. Warren Hills Board of Education.

The issue before the Court was whether the amendment to the Child Sexual Abuse Act removing the “within the household” limitation from the statutory cause of action should apply to all cases filed after the effective date of Chapter 120 or only to conduct that occurs after the effective date.

Mr. Kahn argued that accepting a prospective application would “carve out a subset of victims of public schools or public entities” that could not hold these institutions accountable for sexual abuse that occurred under their watch.

This is Mr. Kahn’s 9th oral argument before the New Jersey Supreme Court, including his 6th as amicus counsel.

Ms. Steinhacker, who co-wrote the brief, has appeared as amicus before the Supreme Court on nine occasions, six of them with Mr. Kahn.

Together, they have appeared specifically as amicus with regard to Chapter 120, the historic raft of amendments that ushered in a new era of how New Jersey addresses sexual abuse/assault claims through tort, on at least six occasions in front of trial and appellate level courts.

Pictured: Annabelle M. Steinhacker, Eric G. Kahn, Plaintiff Attorney Jeffrey M. Russo, and Craig J. Hubert on behalf of the New Jersey State Bar Association

03/02/2026

Mackrell International Secures Band 1 Chambers Ranking for 14th Consecutive Year

Javerbaum Wurgaft is pleased to announce that Mackrell International, the global legal network of which we are a proud member for over 35 years, has once again been ranked Band 1 in the Chambers Global Guide, marking its fourteenth consecutive year of independent recognition.

Maintaining a top-tier ranking over such a sustained period reflects the caliber of firms across the network and the strength of the relationships that underpin it. Chambers rankings are based on extensive independent research and detailed client and peer feedback across more than 190 jurisdictions, highlighting the consistency and quality delivered year after year.

Mackrell International comprises 93 member firms, representing more than 4,500 lawyers across over 60 countries. More than 30% of MI firms and over 230 individual lawyers are also ranked in Chambers directories, reinforcing the depth and quality of expertise across the network.

Javerbaum Wurgaft Partner, Douglas E. Burns, commented “When our clients need support anywhere in the United States or elsewhere in the world, we turn to lawyers in member firms who we know and trust to support our clients’ business and litigation needs. Similarly, member law firms from around the United States and the rest of the world turn to Javerbaum Wurgaft to assist them with their clients’ needs.”

Javerbaum Wurgaft partner, Ray Patella, who is the worldwide Chair of the Mackrell International Bankruptcy and Insolvency Group commented that there seems to be a trend that more major bankruptcy cases are being filed in New Jersey. As a result, many large national and international companies turn to Javerbaum Wurgaft to represent their interests in New Jersey bankruptcy filings, as well as filings in other jurisdictions.

02/26/2026

Timothy Fonseca Joins Javerbaum Wurgaft as Partner

Javerbaum Wurgaft is pleased to announce that Timothy J. Fonseca has joined the Firm as a Partner resident in the firm’s Springfield, NJ, office.

Mr. Fonseca concentrates his practice on personal injury matters of all kinds, including motor vehicle accidents, premise liability, construction defects, property defect injuries, dog bite accidents, and product defect matters.

He has an exceptional track record of securing significant recoveries for clients, including multiple $1 million+ recoveries. In 2024, Mr. Fonseca secured a $15 million recovery for a man who developed Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) after a workplace fall.

Mr. Fonseca is a Certified Civil Trial Attorney. He is a member of the New Jersey Association for Justice and the Passaic Bar Association.

He received his B.A. from Rutgers University and his J.D. from Albany Law School.

He is admitted to the New Jersey State Bar, the New York State Bar, the Federal District of New Jersey, and the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.

02/17/2026

LUM, DRASCO & POSITAN ATTORNEYS JOIN JAVERBAUM WURGAFT

February 17, 2026, SPRINGFIELD, NJ — Javerbaum Wurgaft Hicks Kahn Wikstrom & Sinins, P.C., a litigation firm founded in 1978 with deep roots in New Jersey and offices throughout the State and New York City, is pleased to announce that 17 attorneys from Lum, Drasco & Positan, LLC, one of New Jersey’s oldest continuously operating law firms dating to 1870, will join Javerbaum Wurgaft effective March 1, 2026. Their practices will continue as Javerbaum Wurgaft’s Roseland, New Jersey, office, increasing the firm’s presence and capabilities in business law, commercial litigation, construction law, trusts and estates, condemnation law and other key practice areas.

Javerbaum Wurgaft is widely recognized for its litigation practice, including personal injury, medical malpractice, criminal defense, employment law, workers’ compensation among other civil litigation matters, with many attorneys certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Lum brings a legacy of over 150 years in business.

“The addition of the Lum attorneys not only broadens our geographic footprint through a dedicated Roseland presence but significantly enhances our depth in business and commercial legal services,” said Eric Kahn, Managing Shareholder of Javerbaum Wurgaft.

“Our firms share a commitment to legal excellence, integrity, and client-centered service,” stated Rubin Sinins, Shareholder at Javerbaum Wurgaft. “Lum’s talented attorneys bring respected practices and long-standing client relationships that will complement and elevate what we do across the region.”

“Our priority has always been to deliver the highest quality legal counsel,” added Paul A. Sandars, III, Managing Partner of Lum. “By joining Javerbaum Wurgaft, we bring our collective experience into a firm that will expand our ability to serve clients with even greater resources and multidisciplinary expertise.”

“After more than 150 years of serving the business community, we are proud to join forces with a firm that mirrors our values and commitment to exceptional legal representation,” said Dennis J. Drasco, Name Partner at Lum. “This alignment ensures continuity for our clients and opens new horizons for our attorneys as part of a larger, dynamic platform.”

Lum attorneys joining Javerbaum Wurgaft are:

Bernadette Hamilton Condon, Partner

Dennis J. Drasco, Partner

Steven J. Eisenstein, Partner

Robert S. Lipschitz, Partner

Kevin F. Murphy, Partner

Laura Nejes, Partner

Scott E. Reiser, Partner

Paul A. Sandars III, Partner

Daniel M. Santarsiero, Partner

Gina M. Sorge, Partner

Jack P. Baron, Of Counsel

Hon. Richard C. Camp (Ret.), Of Counsel

Cynthia A. Matheke, Of Counsel

Wayne J. Positan, Of Counsel

Hon. Donald J. Volkert Jr. (Ret.), Of Counsel

Kieran DeMasi, Associate

Nancy F. Moemen, Associate

02/09/2026

Lisa Bowles Joins Javerbaum Wurgaft as Partner

Javerbaum Wurgaft is pleased to announce that Lisa Bowles has joined the Firm as a Partner resident in the firm’s Voorhees, NJ, offices.

Ms. Bowles, certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Certified Civil Trial Attorney, has represented both plaintiffs and defendants and therefore has a unique perspective and practical skill set. Ms. Bowles has over twenty years of extensive trial experience in personal injury law and commercial litigation.

She is a seasoned and successful trial attorney. In 2010, a jury awarded her clients a verdict in excess of $100,000,000, which is one of the largest verdicts in the history of the State of New Jersey. More recently, in 2018, Ms. Bowles received a verdict in the amount of $2,175,000 in a motor vehicle accident case, which was one of the Top 10 Verdicts in New Jersey for that year.

Ms. Bowles is also a member of the New Jersey Association for Justice and has co-chaired multiple programs, including topics on Business Torts and Women Litigators. She also continues to lecture at continuing legal education events. Past lectures include legal ethics, business torts, arbitration provisions, and employment law. She has also participated in legal education panel discussions on business torts and participated in employment discrimination mock trials.

She received her B.S. from Thomas A. Edison College and her J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law.

She is admitted to practice in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

01/28/2026

Javerbaum Wurgaft Hicks Kahn Wikstrom & Sinins, PC, is pleased to announce that Mario Arrieta and Zach Green have been promoted to Partner, effective January 1, 2026.

Mario Arrieta, based in the Firm’s Elmwood Park office, focuses his practice on personal injury litigation such as automobile accidents, construction accidents, commercial truck accidents, premises liability, and other general negligence matters.

Mr. Arrieta received his undergraduate degree from Rutgers University—Newark in 2009 and earned a J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley School of Law in 2015. Mr. Arrieta, fluent in Spanish, is admitted to practice in New Jersey and has been with the Firm since 2022.

Zachary M. Green, based in the Firm’s Voorhees office, has successfully litigated cases involving school bullying and assault. He also has substantial experience handling medical malpractice, nursing home neglect, motor vehicle accidents, and slip and fall accidents, as well as workers’ compensation cases.

Mr. Green graduated with a B.S. from the University of Delaware in 2013 and earned a J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law in 2017. Mr. Green is a member of the Camden County and Burlington County Bar Associations. He is admitted to practice in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and has been with the Firm since 2018.

12/23/2025

Eric Dakhari Joins Javerbaum Wurgaft as Of Counsel

Javerbaum Wurgaft is pleased to announce that Eric Dakhari has joined the Firm as Of Counsel in the firm’s Springfield, NJ, and Voorhees, NJ, offices.

Mr. Dakhari concentrates his practice representing plaintiffs in medical malpractice and nursing home abuse matters, as well as civil rights, auto and truck accidents, and premises liability matters.

He formerly sat on the New Jersey Association for Justice’s Board of Governors and is a frequent lecturer.

Mr. Dakhari received his BA in Business Administration from George State University and his JD from Rutgers University School of Law.