Jim has extensive experience in all aspects of complex litigation, including condemnation law, natural gas utility law, redevelopment law, environmental law, class actions, mass torts, regulatory investigations, contract disputes, commercial litigation, and employment law. Jim has traveled throughout the country and in Europe to represent clients, including conducting trials, arguing motions, pursuing discovery, conducting depositions and performing investigations.
Jim currently devotes a substantial part of his practice to complex litigation, including condemnation law. His practice includes representation of, among other clients, large utility companies, redevelopment agencies, redevelopers and local government units in condemnation matter, defense of environmental litigations, class actions and mass torts, as well as practice before various federal and state regulatory bodies. Through his involvement in complex litigation, Jim has gained substantial experience managing multi-party discovery and handling all facets of motion practice in state and federal courts. Jim also is well versed in the use of computer resources for research of document information management and courtroom presentations, as well as ediscovery issues.
Jim regularly advises clients on the best approaches to avoid litigation, as well as works with clients to develop strategies during litigation. In this realm, Jim often acts as liaison between clients and regulatory agencies to achieve mutually beneficial solutions to various issues.
Jim also represents clients with respect to the condemnation of property through eminent domain in federal and state court, including developing areas of law under the Natural Gas Act and the Abandoned Properties Rehabilitation Act. He represents condemning authorities acquiring property, as well as assisting property owners to ensure that they receive maximum value for their properties. He has particular experience using eminent domain to acquire land for large utility, transportation, and urban redevelopment projects.
Jim has represented a wide variety of clients, including national Fortune 500 companies, public entities, utility companies and individuals.
Representative Experience
- Represented a redevelopment agency in condemnation proceedings successfully defeating a motion to increase the amount paid for the property in the trial court and on appeal.
- Representing multiple pipeline companies in condemnation proceedings pursuant to the Natural Gas Act.
- Represented utility company with regard to condemnation matter to secure existing facility whose lease had expired.
- Representing transportation authority in condemnation proceedings for large improvement project.
- Represented petroleum company in condemnation proceedings to obtain easements and permanent rights of way.
- Represented multiple municipalities in acquiring property via eminent domain for public projects.
- Litigating all aspects of condemnation proceedings.
- Represented governmental authorities in condemnation proceedings pursuant to the New Jersey Urban Redevelopment Act and the Abandoned Properties Rehabilitation Act involving numerous properties for large-scale urban redevelopment project.
- Represented developer in challenge to registration fees for properties subject to foreclosure.
- Represented private landholder in inverse condemnation action due to a change in regulations.
- Represented clients with regard to bad faith claims in eminent domain proceedings.
- Represented a large former manufacturer through trial in a mass toxic tort action alleging toxic exposure to lead due to a former smelter Represented several entities in a class action involving exposure to a variety of toxic chemicals in drinking water.
- Represented a large telecommunications company in investigating and litigating claims that several companies were trafficking in counterfeit products bearing the company’s trademarks.
- Represented a manufacturer in a CERCLA action against other manufacturers to recover costs related to a residential cleanup Represented manufacturer in dispute claiming breach of requirements contract.
- Represented national company in action involving legality of registration fees in regard to vacant and abandoned properties.
- Represented several companies in defending cost recovery action related to remediation of a landfill.
- Represented various companies in negotiating remediation agreements with federal and state agencies.
- Defended public entity against claim of failure to provide adequate security at a public transportation depot.
- Argued Juvenile Notification Law case before the New Jersey Supreme Court.
- Defended various companies in asbestos suits.
Professional and Community Involvement
- Vice Chair of Lakeview Child Centers
- Quality and Patient Safety Committee at Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital – Hamilton
Articles and Presentations
- Author, “Avoiding Costly Litigation — How Utilities Should Approach Property Owners When Seeking to Acquire Land“, Power (September 2022)
- “PennEast Can Take NJ Land For $1B Pipeline, Judge Says,” Law360 (December 2018)
- “New Jersey Eminent Domain Law in 2019: Reasonable Necessity, Public Purpose, and the Foreseeable Future” (November 2019)
- “CERCLA Contribution Claims: Guidance and Litigation Strategies for Environmental Lawyers,” NJICLE Webinar (January 2018)
- “Practitioner Insights: Impact of Settlements on CERCLA Actions” Bloomberg BNA (September 2017)
- “Cost-Effective Urban Redevelopment – Using the Abandoned Properties Rehabilitation Act,” National Business Institute (December 2015)
- “Creating New Victims: Megan’s Law, The Third Circuit and Punishment” – 22 Rutgers Law Record 10
- “Reasonable and Articulable Suspicion in New Jersey” – 23 Rutgers Law Record 6