Firm News

STEPHANIE F. LEHMAN JOINS NY OFFICE AS HEAD OF MATRIMONIAL GROUP

Stephanie F. Lehman has joined HDRB&B as a partner in the New York office, and will lead the firm's matrimonial practice group. For well over a decade, Stephanie has represented high-net worth individuals in contested and uncontested matrimonial actions and child-related matters, including custody, parenting time, relocation and paternity, in the New York and New Jersey courts. Stephanie also is experienced at negotiating prenuptial, postnuptial, settlement and separation agreements, and advising clients regarding related tax planning, including the valuation of businesses, professional licenses, enhanced earning capacity and celebrity status. Prior to joining HDRB&B, Stephanie was a partner in the New York offices of WolfBlock LLP and then Cozen O'Connor, which are among the largest law firms in the country. She is a graduate of Brandeis University (1993) and Brooklyn Law School (1996), and a former law clerk for the Honorable Joseph C. Cassini, III, of the New Jersey Superior Court, Family Division.

HDRB&B ATTORNEYS AGAIN NAMED TO SUPER LAWYERS® LIST; BERMAN NAMED TO LIST OF TOP 100 IN NEW JERSEY

As announced in the April 2011 "Best of New Jersey" edition of New Jersey Monthly magazine, HDRB&B partners Paul S. Doherty (Business Litigation) and Mark A. Berman (Criminal Defense) were again named to the list of New Jersey Super Lawyers®, with Berman named to the list of "Top 100" in New Jersey. Trusts & Estates partner Naim D. Bulbulia and litigation associate Robin Fineman are named to Rising Stars. The Super Lawyers® list is published on an annual basis by Law & Politics based upon an extensive peer nomination and polling process and through independent research. According to Law & Politics, "the attorneys listed in Super Lawyers® are limited to 5% of the practicing attorneys in New Jersey, and are among the best in their profession." The firm's New Jersey Super Lawyers® profile can be viewed here.*

MARY BETH EHALT AND NATHAN J. SEIFERT JOIN THE FIRM

Mary Beth Ehalt and Nathan J. Seifert have joined the firm's litigation and estate planning groups, respectively. Mary Beth is a 1994 graduate of Seton Hall University Law School. Prior to joining HDRB&B, she worked as an associate at Weiner Lesniak, where she litigated a wide variety of commercial and construction matters. Nathan, too, is a graduate of Seton Hall University Law School. Prior to graduating from Seton Hall in 2010, Nathan served as a law clerk for the Office of General Counsel at Mercedes-Benz USA and served as a judicial intern in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Special Civil Part, for the Honorable Michael P. Wright.

MARK A. BERMAN WINS JUDGMENT OF ACQUITTAL IN TETERBORO PLANE CRASH PROSECUTION

On November 5, 2010, at the close of evidence in a four-week federal criminal prosecution in U.S. District Court in Newark, U.S. District Court Judge Dennis M. Cavanaugh granted HDRB&B partner Mark A. Berman's motion for entry a judgment of acquittal and threw out all charges (one conspiracy count and eight false statement counts) against former Platinum Jet Director of Maintenance Brian McKenzie, ruling that no rationale jury could find him guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The government's charges arose from the crash of a charter Jet at Teterboro Airport on February 2, 2005. "This case never should have been brought by the government against Brian McKenzie," Berman said outside court. "The government didn't want to listen, but we're thankful the judge did, and we're confident the jury would have reached the same conclusion." The Court permitted the government's case against the President and Vice-President of Platinum Jet to go to the jury.

HDRB&B OFFICE EXPANSION COMPLETED

HDRB&B is pleased to announce that it has recently completed an expansion of its main offices in River Edge, NJ. The firm added approximately 1,800 square feet of space, including two conference rooms, four attorney offices, and additional storage to accommodate the firm's continued growth.

MICHAEL G. LANGAN & COURTNEY L. ALEXANDROPOULOS JOIN THE FIRM

HDRB&B is pleased to announce that Michael G. Langan has joined the firm's litigation group as a partner, and that Courtney L. Alexandropoulos has joined as an associate. Most recently, Michael had his own law practice located in Elmwood Park, NJ. Before starting his own firm, Michael was a senior litigation attorney in the New Jersey offices of Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP, one of the largest and most prestigious law firms in the United States, and served as in-house counsel to an international consumer electronics company. He began his litigation career as an associate with Gibbons, P.C., where he first met HDRB&B partners Paul Doherty and Mark Berman. Courtney is a graduate of Seton Hall University School of Law, where she served as a clinical student in the Juvenile Justice Clinic and represented indigent juveniles in criminal and delinquency proceedings. Prior to joining the firm, Courtney clerked in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, for the Honorable Menelaos W. Toskos.

MARK A. BERMAN APPEARS AS GUEST COMMENTATOR ON FOX NEWS.

On April 12, 2010, Hartmann Doherty partner Mark Berman appeared on the FOX News morning program, Fox & Friends, to discuss the use of GPS monitoring of persons charged with domestic violence offenses. Mark debated the constitutional ramifications of these new monitoring programs with Harvard Law School Professor Diane Rosenfeld.

THREE HDRB&B PARTNERS SELECTED AS 2010 NJ SUPER LAWYERS®*.

The firm is pleased to announce that Paul S. Doherty and Mark A. Berman were selected to the list of 2010 NJ Super Lawyers®. Paul was selected for the first time in the field of Business Litigation and Mark was selected for a third consecutive year in the field of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Naim Bulbulia was selected for a second consecutive year as a NJ Super Lawyers: Rising Star® in the field of Trusts & Estates. The Super Lawyers® list is published on an annual basis by Law & Politics based upon an extensive peer nomination and polling process and through independent research. According to Law & Politics, "the attorneys listed in Super Lawyers® are limited to 5% of the practicing attorneys in New Jersey, and are among the best in their profession." A complete description of the NJ Super Lawyers® selection process can be viewed here.*

DENNIS CALO & ROBIN D. FINEMAN JOIN THE FIRM'S LITIGATION GROUP.

HDRB&B is pleased to announce that Dennis Calo has joined the firm's litigation group as a partner, and that Robin D. Fineman has joined as an associate. Most recently, Dennis was Managing Partner of Calo Agostino in Hackensack. Previously he served as the First Assistant Prosecutor, Chief of the Homicide Squad, and Chief of the Grand Jury Section of the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office. His practice encompasses both business and criminal defense litigation. Robin is a graduate of Harvard Law School. Prior to joining HDRB&B, Robin worked as an associate in the litigation department of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP in New York City.

HARTMANN DOHERTY MOVES INTO NEW OFFICE SPACE.

On June 9, 2009, the firm moved into new main office space at 65 Route 4 East, River Edge, New Jersey. The new office is located approximately five minutes from the George Washington Bridge and is easily accessible from Route 4, Bergen County's major east-west traffic artery. The new office will allow the firm to continue to grow to meet the needs of our clients in both New York and New Jersey.

MARK BERMAN AGAIN SELECTED TO LIST OF "NEW JERSEY Super Lawyers®." NAIM BULBULIA SELECTED TO LIST OF "NEW JERSEY Super Lawyers®: RISING STAR."*

For the second year in a row, HDRB&B partner Mark Berman was named to the list of "New Jersey Super Lawyers®" in the field of Criminal Defense: White Collar. Also, HDRB&B partner Naim Bulbulia was selected to the list of "New Jersey Super Lawyers®: Rising Stars" in the field of Trusts & Estates. The Super Lawyers® list is published on an annual basis by Law & Politics based upon an extensive peer nomination and polling process and through independent research. According to Law & Politics, "the attorneys listed in Super Lawyers® are limited to 5% of the practicing attorneys in New Jersey, and are among the best in their profession." The firm's New Jersey Super Lawyers® profile can be viewed here.*

HDRB&B WINS THIRD CIRCUIT APPEAL FOR FORMER DEPUTY CHIEF OF PHILIPPINES NATIONAL POLICE.

A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit ruled today in favor of firm client Michael Ray Aquino, a former deputy chief of the Philippines National Police who pled guilty to a one-count Information charging him with the unlawful possession of a U.S. government document. Aquino originally was charged with multiple counts of espionage and acting as an unregistered foreign agent for which he faced life in prison. The Court vacated the 76-month term of imprisonment Aquino had been serving, agreeing with HDRB&B partner Mark A. Berman's argument that the district court's sentence was erroneously premised upon more severe conduct outside the scope of the specific terms of the plea agreement carefully negotiated by Berman. U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie had argued for the harsher sentence, alleging that Aquino's "guilty plea included acknowledging the stolen documents could have been used to harm the United States, making him eligible for the stiffer sentence." Those arguments were rejected by the Court of Appeals. Aquino, who has been incarcerated since September 2005, is now likely to be re-sentenced to time served.

RICHARD M. ROSA OBTAINS A SETTLEMENT IN THE AMOUNT OF $300,000.00.

Richard M. Rosa, head of Hartmann Doherty Rosa Berman & Bulbulia's Personal Injury Litigation Department, recently obtained a settlement in the amount of $300,000.00 for a client who was hurt in a worksite accident. The lawsuit was filed in the Bergen County Superior Court on behalf of a laborer who was injured after tripping over a mislaid power cord at a construction project. The defendants included one of the largest general contractors in the country. The theory of liability asserted in the complaint and substantiated during discovery was failure by the defendants to maintain a safe work environment as evidenced by their non-compliance with both International Building Code Regulations and the Occupational Safety and Health Act ("OSHA"). The case was settled favorably to our client shortly before trial.

NAIM BULBULIA BECOMES NAME PARTNER.

HDR&B is pleased to announce that Naim Bulbulia, who joined the firm in July 2008 to head the firm's Trusts & Estates practice, has been made a name partner. The name of the firm has been changed to Hartmann Doherty Rosa Berman & Bulbulia, LLC. Naim will continue to practice out of the firm's Short Hills and Hackensack offices.

U.S. SUPREME COURT TO HEAR AL-MARRI CASE.

The Supreme Court announced today that it will hear the appeal of Ali Saleh Kahlah al-Marri, a Qatari citizen who has been represented by HDRB&B partner Mark A. Berman. Al-Marri was arrested by the FBI in his home in Peoria, Illinois in December 2001, on suspicion that he was associated with al-Qaeda. In June 2003, shortly before Berman was to defend al-Marri at his scheduled trial in federal court in Peoria, President Bush designated al-Marri an "enemy combatant" and ordered him detained indefinitely at the Navy Brig in Charleston, SC. He remains the only person designated an enemy combatant presently being be held inside the United States. The appeal will consider the constitutionality of the unprecedented scope of executive power asserted by the Bush Administration to indefinitely detain individuals lawfully present inside the United States.

NAIM BULBULIA JOINS THE FIRM AS A PARTNER.

HDR&B is pleased to announce that Naim Bulbulia has joined the firm as a partner and will lead the firm's Trust & Estates practice. Naim is a graduate of Harvard Law School and Amherst College. Prior to joining HDR&B, he chaired the Trusts & Estates Department at Skoloff & Wolfe, P.C. He is admitted to practice law in New Jersey and New York. Naim will be resident in the firm's new Short Hills office.

MARK BERMAN SELECTED TO LIST OF "NEW JERSEY Super Lawyers®."*

As published in the April 2008 issue of New Jersey Monthly magazine, HDR&B partner Mark Berman was selected by his peers in an extensive nomination and polling process and through independent research conducted by Law & Politics to the 2008 list of "New Jersey Super Lawyers®" in the fields of Criminal Defense: White Collar, Business Litigation, and Appellate Practice. According to Law & Politics, "the attorneys listed in Super Lawyers® are limited to 5% of the practicing attorneys in New Jersey, and are among the best in their profession."*

HDR&B APPROVED AS GENERAL COUNSEL FOR FREEDOM BANK.

The Board of Directors of Freedom Bank selected Hartmann Doherty Rosa & Berman to serve as the bank's general counsel. Freedom Bank is an independent, full-service commercial bank headquartered at 550 Kinderkamack Road, Oradell, New Jersey.

New Jersey Law Journal selects HDR&B PARTNER Mark A. Berman to its LIST OF "40 under 40: LAWYERS TO WATCH IN THE NEXT DECADE."*

The New Jersey Law Journal ("NJLJ") announced today that it has selected HDR&B partner Mark A. Berman to its annual list of top New Jersey attorneys under the age of 40. The list consists of 40 young professionals the NJLJ believes are worth watching, not only because they have built a significant record of achievement in their careers so far but also because of the potential they show to be among the leaders of the bar in the future. In applauding Mr. Berman's selection, the NJLJ highlighted his broad litigation experience in significant matters and noted that his "trial and appellate record is legion."

HDR&B WIN "NOT GUILTY" VERDICT FOR PHARMACEUTICAL EXECUTIVE IN THREE-WEEK U.S. HEALTHCARE FRAUD TRIAL IN FEDERAL COURT IN BOSTON.

After a three-week jury trial in federal court in Boston, HDR&B partners Mark Berman and Paul Doherty obtained "not guilty" verdicts on behalf of the former Vice President of Sales of Serono, Inc., on all eight counts of a federal healthcare fraud indictment. Serono, a major international biotechnology company, had previously pleaded guilty and paid civil and criminal penalties exceeding $700 million on related charges. At trial, however, the jury deliberated for fewer than three hours before clearing our client of conspiracy to violate, and seven substantive violations of, the Medicare Anti-Kickback statute.

MARK A. BERMAN JOINS FIRM; NAME CHANGED TO HARTMANN DOHERTY ROSA & BERMAN, LLC.

HD&R is pleased to announce that Mark A. Berman, formerly a director at Gibbons, P.C., has become a member of the firm and will continue to practice in the areas of Complex Commercial, Criminal, and Appellate Litigation. The name of the firm has been changed to Hartmann Doherty Rosa & Berman, LLC.

HD&R WINS SUBSTANTIAL VERDICT ON BEHALF OF WEST VIRGINIA STEEL CORPORATION IN MARYLAND CIRCUIT COURT.

Following a three-day trial, the Maryland Circuit Court for Howard County entered judgment in favor of the firm's client, West Virginia Steel Corporation, in the amount of $370,555.42 plus interest at the rate of 18% per annum and attorneys' fees. HD&R partner Paul S. Doherty served as lead trial counsel for West Virginia Steel in this construction litigation involving a commercial office building located in Maryland. The amount awarded to the firm's client represented 100% of the damages it sought and the Court dismissed the defendants' counterclaim with prejudice.