Sara Krutza Joins AMM&M

   AMM&M is delighted to announce that Sara K. Krutza has joined the firm as of January, 2009 concentrating in the areas of civil litigation and employment law.  Sara recently relocated to New Jersey from Illinois, where she was a civil litigator with Kovitz Shifrin Nesbit, managing and trying numerous civil actions. Sara began her litigation career as an Assistant Public Defender for the State of Wisconsin.  A graduate of the University of Wisconsin and Marquette University School of Law, Ms. Krutza also served as a Judicial Intern for the Honorable John Coffey, United States Court of Appeals for the 7th Circuit.

AMM&M Mourns The Passing of Francis A. Mastro

    On June 4, 2008 the Firm lost its beloved colleague and named parter, Frank Mastro.  A recognized leader in labor and employment law, Frank had been selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America and the Bar Registry of Pre-Eminent Lawyers and had served as Chairman of the Labor and Employment Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association.  Before joining the Firm in 1969, Frank was a supervisory attorney and litigation specialist for the NLRB and in-house labor counsel for Ingersoll Rand Corporation. In nearly 40 years with the Firm Frank demonstrated that he was not only a gifted lawyer, scholar of the law and tenacious advocate, but the consummate gentlemen, whose compassion, dry humor and unwavering ethical standards made him a model for all lawyers to emulate.  He is deeply missed.

 Robert Merryman Addresses School Boards Convention

     On October 29, 2008 Robert J. Merryman addressed the Annual School Law Forum at the New Jersey School Boards Convention in Atlantic City. The presentation highlighted the pros and cons of school uniform policies, the legal authority for such polices and how they can be implemented.

   Clients who are interested in the subject, but were unable to attend this year's forum can contact Mr. Merryman regarding information and materials on this important topic.

Mark Blunda Named City of Perth Amboy Law Director

     On July 1, 2008 firm principal Mark J. Blunda was appointed Acting Law Director for the City of Perth Amboy by new Mayor Wilda Diaz, who took office the same day.  In addition to his regular practice with Apruzzese, McDermott, Mark has agreed to assist the Mayor and new council in their transition into governance of the Middlesex County City of more than 47,000 residents. As corporation counsel, Mark serves as Department Head for the Law Department and is responsible for the municipality's day to day legal matters.

Jonathan F. Cohen Publishes Articles on New Legislation

     Jonathan F. Cohen recently authored two articles alerting businesses and public employers to new State legislation that expands the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination in the area of religious discrimination and creates a New Jersey WARN act for business closures and mass layoffs.  Both articles appear in the Spring 2008 issue of New Jersey Labor and Employment Law Quarterly.  Copies can be obtained by contacting the Firm.

Merit System Board Upholds Discharge of Belmar Officer

    Reversing the recommendation of an Administrative Law Judge, on October 16, 2008 the Merit System Board upheld the Borough of Belmar's termination of a veteran police officer on grounds of misconduct in office.  AMM&M partner James L. Plosia represented the municpality in both the hearing at the Office of Administrative Law and the appeal before the State Merit System Board.

     Lisa Barre-Quick Engaged for National Workplace Training

     Lisa Barre-Quick has been engaged to conduct Workplace Sensitivity Training for managers and supervisors of a national corporation with offices and work sites across the United States.  Most recently Ms. Barre-Quick completed presentations in Texas, Ohio and New York.  She is frequently training in New Jersey utilizing state of the art training materials that she has developed and adapted for both upper management and line supervisors.

Robert Merryman and Linda Ganz-Ott Publish School Alert  

     Robert Merryman and Linda Ganz-Ott have published an article warning New Jersey public school districts of the New Jersey Supreme Court ruling in L.W. v. Toms River Regional School Board of Education, which held that under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination school districts may be liable for student-on-student harassment.  Copies of the article, which appeared in the New Jersey Labor and Employment Law Quarterly are available from the Firm.