AGENT SERVICES - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Member of the New Jersey Association for Justice
Alex Capozzi is a certified civil trial attorney at Brach Eichler. He has extensive experience litigating cases involving personal injuries and complex civil issues in both New York and New Jersey. Alex has personally obtained multi-million-dollar jury verdicts at trial on behalf of injured victims. He is certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a certified civil trial attorney, a distinction achieved by less than 2% of attorneys throughout their careers.
Alex is believed to be one of the youngest attorneys in history to ever obtain a multi-million-dollar jury verdict at trial. In 2016, Alex received one of the top 15 largest jury verdicts in the State of New Jersey. Since 2016, he has consistently obtained top 100 verdicts or settlements in the state on a yearly basis.
Outside of the office, Alex is an active member of the New Jersey Association for Justice ("NJAJ"), an organization dedicated to protecting ordinary families, workers, and consumers by fighting to preserve and strengthen the laws governing product safety, safe workplaces, and quality healthcare.
Some of Alex's honors and awards include:
Top 15 Jury Verdict New Jersey - 2016
Top 100 Settlement New Jersey - 2017
Top 50 Settlement New Jersey - 2019
Super Lawyers Rising Star - 2018
Super Lawyers Rising Star - 2019
Super Lawyers Rising Star - 2020
Super Lawyers Rising Star - 2021
New Jersey Law Journal's New Leaders of the Bar - 2021
Best Lawyers in America: Ones to Watch - 2022
Anthony Juliano is an experienced trial attorney with a broad civil litigation practice. An important focus of his work is representing plaintiffs in complex personal injury matters. Anthony also represents both individual and corporate plaintiffs and defendants in matters involving commercial litigation, general litigation, and alternative dispute resolution. Anthony's practice also includes litigating business disputes and defending claims related to the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act.
Anthony has successfully represented clients in business tort, contract, restrictive covenant, antitrust, defamation, consumer fraud, and professional negligence lawsuits. He has significant experience representing a wide range of clients including medical practices, hospitals, building maintenance companies, and their senior management personnel. Anthony has also defended clients in complex toxic tort and asbestos claims.
Additionally, Anthony has extensive experience analyzing pre-suit claims and representing clients in state and federal court, in arbitrations, and before various administrative agencies including the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights.
Brach Eichler's attorneys reside in Roseland, New Jersey; New York; and West Palm Beach, Florida. Since its founding in 1967, Brach Eichler has built trusted, personal relationships with its clients, rendering advice that is business-savvy and creative, yet practical. Focusing on providing high-quality service is embedded in our culture. Clients rely upon Brach Eichler's gifted and pragmatic counselors who are renowned for their reputation of excellence and ability to position our clients for successful outcomes by anticipating their needs and outperforming their expectations.
Bruce Wolff's practice involves representing companies, pension funds, and executives in all aspects of employee benefits and executive compensation law. Bruce advises clients with respect to tax and ERISA issues (fiduciary duty and prohibited transactions) involving qualified retirement plans, including employee stock ownership plans (ESOPs); nonqualified deferred compensation plans, including Code sections 409A and 457(f) compliance; equity-based executive compensation plans; individual employment and severance agreements; merger and acquisition transactions; and health care reform.
In 2013, 2014 and 2015, Bruce was recognized as a New York Metro Super Lawyer in the area of employee benefits/ERISA. He is a Certified Public Accountant.
Caroline Patterson concentrates her practice on the representation of healthcare providers and other business organizations in a wide variety of transactional and corporate matters, including acquisitions and sales, mergers, strategic partnerships, private equity investments, HIPAA compliance, ownership and compensation arrangements, and employment negotiations. Caroline also has extensive experience advising investigators and clinical institutions on clinical trial agreements and clinical research law.
Caroline's clients include physician practices, management service organizations, life science and other healthcare consulting companies, dental practices, physical therapists, ambulatory surgery centers, and individual healthcare professionals.
Prior to joining Brach Eichler, Caroline worked at both a large Philadelphia law firm in the areas of corporate and securities law and at a small national boutique law firm specializing in corporate, healthcare, regulatory, and employment law matters.
Job Titles:
- Cannabis Co - Chair and Member
Charles Gormally offers a proficiency in counseling clients with complex business matters, challenges to governmental regulation, contract disputes, and tort actions. Designated a Certified Civil Trial Attorney by the New Jersey Supreme Court, a distinction reserved for less than 2% of attorneys, Charles has successfully tried jury and bench trial cases in the Federal and state courts, as well as arbitration matters. Charles is a State of New Jersey certified mediator and formerly an elected official in Mountain Lakes.
As the senior trial counsel for the Firm, Charles regularly engages in trials in both New Jersey and New York on behalf of both plaintiffs and defendants. His most recent trial results included a verdict on behalf of a seriously injured worker leading to a recovery of $6 million and a verdict of $2.9 million in a business dispute on behalf of an insurance broker.
A strong advocate for the expansion of medical cannabis programs and the creation of a regulated cannabis marketplace in New Jersey, Charles has been widely quoted in the press on the challenges and opportunities for potential industry participants and the current legislative landscape.
In public sector matters, Charles has a demonstrated record of success in prosecuting constitutional challenges to legislation and governmental overreach on behalf of affected clients. For example, he compelled municipalities to alter their practices in connection with the collection of solid waste and recyclable materials. This action resulted in millions of dollars of cost savings to the clients and ultimately led to the adoption of state legislation to provide comparable municipal services to all multifamily properties. In addition, Charles has prevailed in actions overturning the exercise of overreaching municipal police power in matters including the improper regulation of video arcades, illegal public initiatives to modify rent control ordinances, and attempts to overcharge for housing inspections.
General Counsel to the Firm, Charles has been peer review rated as AV Preeminent, the highest rating for professional excellence by Martindale-Hubbell. He has been consistently selected over the years by his peers to The Best Lawyers in America© and to New Jersey Super Lawyers. In addition, he was recognized as a Top Legal Leader for New York and New Jersey by ALM. Charles is also an instructor with the Institute of Continuing Legal Education. Charles served for many years as a member of Brach Eichler's Executive Committee.
Cannabis Co-Chair and Member Charles X. Gormally opines in NJ Cannabis Insider about medical dispensaries' inventory and their involvement in the recreational market.
Cheryl Ritter assists clients in the development and implementation of estate and gift planning matters including wills, trusts, financial powers of attorney, living wills, and health care agent designations. In this role, Cheryl counsels individual clients on the tax-efficient transfer of wealth using a variety of strategies, including dynasty trusts, life insurance trusts (individual and survivorship), qualified personal residence trusts, grantor retained annuity trusts, charitable trusts, limited liability companies, and sales to intentionally defective grantor trusts, among others. Cheryl develops estate plans tailored to the specific needs and goals of each client, considering factors such as the unique asset mixes of high-net-worth individuals and the distinct relationships within clients' families.
Cheryl is also experienced in trust and estate administration and has researched and addressed complex issues with respect to income taxation of trusts and estates. Additionally, she has been involved with the preparation of necessary federal and state tax returns, including estate tax, gift tax, and generation-skipping transfer tax returns, as well as post-mortem tax planning strategies, such as disclaimers.
Prior to joining Brach Eichler, while a law student at Seton Hall University School of Law, Cheryl served as an extern for the Internal Revenue Service, Office of Chief Counsel, researching significant tax issues.
Cheryl was named a New Jersey Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2019 - 2021.
Colleen Buontempo represents clients primarily in PIP arbitration with approximately 65-70% of cases settling and approximately a 93% success rate for cases that proceed through arbitration. She has successfully represented and recovered millions of dollars for her clients including individuals, ambulatory care facilities, hospitals, physician groups, and healthcare entrepreneurs.
Prior to joining Brach Eichler, Colleen practiced in a wide variety of legal areas, including criminal defense, automotive litigation, premises liability, worker's compensation, negligent security, New York labor law, and products liability.
Colleen is a supporter of The Faustman Lab at Massachusetts General Hospital, and their research in finding a cure for Type 1 diabetes.
Corey A. Dietz is a trial lawyer focusing on personal injury. He has worked hard to achieve multiple six- and seven-figure settlements for his clients in addition to handling all other aspects of trial work.
Prior to joining Brach Eichler, Corey worked for a mid-sized firm in Ridgewood, New Jersey. He also worked for the Cumberland County District Attorney's Office in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, for two years where he conducted dozens of bench trials and drafted numerous briefs to the Pennsylvania Superior and Supreme Courts, resulting in one published opinion by the Pennsylvania Superior Court.
Corey was named a New Jersey Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2018 - 2021. He was also named to the 2021 edition of Ones to Watch, a new program sponsored by The Best Lawyers in America©, designed to recognize younger attorneys for their outstanding professional excellence in private practice.
Daniel Leone focuses on all aspects of personal injury litigation. In this role, he works closely with his clients to provide counsel on litigation and settlement strategy.
Prior to joining Brach Eichler, Daniel was an associate at a law firm in Toms River, New Jersey where he handled civil litigation, estate and elder law litigation, estate administration, and local government law matters. Daniel also has experience in matters involving real estate and business law.
A passionate advocate, Daniel is a vigorous defender of his clients' interests and works hard to achieve positive outcomes in all of his matters.
David J. Ritter, Jr. focuses his practice in the following areas: estate planning, estate administration, corporate organization, corporate transactions, commercial loans, and healthcare.
David is experienced in preparing wills, revocable trusts, living wills, powers of attorney, and healthcare agent designations. He advises clients on the many ways to structure these documents, including creating trusts to hold assets for the benefit of children or loved ones, and establishing an estate plan that achieves client objectives while minimizing tax consequences. David also reviews non-probate assets that will not pass pursuant to a will to ensure that an estate plan is properly coordinated.
In this role, David handles estate planning for clients who own property with a nominal value as well as for clients who have a net worth in the hundreds of millions and in between. Regardless of the amount of assets, David helps clients create estate plans that effectively address their personal situations and, ultimately, meet their future goals.
Job Titles:
- Counsel
- Counsel to the NJ Board of Medical Examiners' Credentials Committee
Debra Levine brings an extensive background in the law governing healthcare and professional licensure to Brach Eichler, specifically in the areas of state regulation, disciplinary matters, and the interrelationship between the various scopes of practice associated with different categories of licenses. She focuses her work on the business aspects of the practice of medicine as well as on provider disciplinary matters.
Prior to joining Brach Eichler, Debra was, for 27 years, counsel to the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners, where she was responsible for advising the Board on disciplinary, investigative, and regulatory matters. Debra counseled the Board during Board hearings involving allegations of physician misconduct including such issues as sexual harassment, fraud, opioid abuse, impairment, and other infractions. Her overarching goal in this capacity was to ensure that licensees had a fair hearing while balancing public safety. This deep experience in disciplinary matters is of great value in helping Debra assist Brach Eichler clients who are the subjects of investigations or charges by licensing boards.
In her capacity as counsel to the NJ Board of Medical Examiners' Credentials Committee, Debra developed extensive expertise evaluating LCGME, AOA and Internationally accredited medical schools' didactic and clinical programs' in regard to compliance with State standards. Her experience also includes the NJ Board of Medical Examiners physician application process.
Additionally, in her capacity as deputy attorney general in the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety and as Assistant Section Chief of the Counseling Section of the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Debra was responsible for supervising legal services and licensing requirements for all professional licensees including doctors, chiropractors, dentists, physical therapists, physician assistants, nurses, and advanced practice registered nurses, as well as design and build professionals, accountants, and all who are licensed by the Division of Consumer Affairs. She is also well versed in the educational and training requirements necessary to become a licensed healthcare (and other) professional in New Jersey.
Ellen De Lisi is a transactional attorney focused on all aspects of commercial lending. She represents institutional lenders primarily in New Jersey and Pennsylvania in varied transactions involving real estate and corporate/asset-based loans. Ellen has experience in both secured and unsecured financings, including acquisition, construction, permanent and health care loans as well as lines of credit, participations, and co-lending arrangements. Ellen also represents institutional lenders in modifications and amendments to all types of commercial lending transactions.
Emily Harris focuses her practice on New Jersey No-Fault PIP Arbitrations where she represents ambulatory care facilities, hospitals, chiropractors, physicians, and other healthcare providers. She is responsible for managing files, drafting arbitration statements, and assisting clients with their cases from start to finish.
Prior to joining Brach Eichler, Emily worked for several law firms in the New Jersey area where she practiced PIP, Personal Injury, and Worker's Compensation. Previously, Emily clerked for the late Honorable Edward V. Gannon, J.S.C. in the New Jersey Superior Court, Civil Division.
Emily is an avid supporter of the Moms Helping Moms Foundation, a baby supply and diaper bank committed to serving families and children in New Jersey.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate in Brach Eichler
Eric Alvarez is an Associate in Brach Eichler's commercial litigation group and is based in the New Jersey office.
Eric focuses his practice on litigating complex commercial disputes in state and federal court. Eric is frequently called upon to serve as counsel to companies of all sizes, advising on day-to-day legal and operational issues. He handles a variety of litigation matters with a focus on commercial litigation and general business matters. Eric was awarded Best Lawyers' "Ones to Watch" for commercial litigation in 2021 & 2022.
Eric earned his J.D. cum laude in 2013 from Seton Hall University School of Law. He graduated with a B.A. cum laude in 2009 from Villanova University with a degree in Philosophy. After law school, he clerked in Essex County for the Honorable Sebastian P. Lombardi.
Eric J. Boden concentrates his practice in complex civil litigation.
Prior to joining Brach Eichler, Eric spent four years with the New Jersey Attorney General's Office where he gained hands-on experience with high-profile investigations and enforcement actions in state and federal court, specifically claims pursuant to the New Jersey False Claims Act and New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act. Prior to this position, he was Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable Patricia Del Bueno Cleary, J.S.C in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division, Monmouth County. In this role, Eric researched and drafted bench memoranda analyzing motions each week pertaining to commercial conflicts, employment disputes, and applications for injunctive relief.
Notably, Eric was a key member on several major civil enforcement actions including a matter against a major transportation company defrauding the State of New Jersey, as well as a matter against the founder and former CEO of a pharmaceutical company; both cases resulted in considerable settlements.
Eric Magnelli concentrates his practice on labor and employment matters and a broad range of complex litigation. He counsels clients on a wide range of labor and employment issues such as discrimination, harassment, whistleblowing, discipline and discharge, layoffs, collective bargaining agreements, reasonable accommodations for disabled employees, compliance with state and federal family and medical leave acts, applicable wage and hour laws, and ERISA. He also conducts training in these areas for executives, directors, managers, supervisors, and employees, and conducts internal investigations of employee complaints. Additionally, Eric drafts and provides advice on employment contracts, employment manuals, personnel policies and procedures, restrictive covenants, and severance agreements.
In litigation matters, Eric represents clients in New Jersey and New York federal and state courts, arbitrations, and before various administrative agencies. In addition to litigating all types of employment-related claims, he represents clients in lawsuits arising from construction disputes, business torts, contract disputes, and restrictive covenant violations.
Eric served on active duty with the United States Marine Corps infantry and was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant in 1998. During his tour of duty, Eric conducted security operations, riot control, and refugee handling in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba. Eric was awarded and received various honors that included meritorious promotions to Corporal and Sergeant, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, Humanitarian Service Medal, Certificate of Commendation, two National Defense Service Medals, Joint Meritorious Unit Citation, Navy Meritorious Unit Citation, Armed Forces Service Medal, NCO of the Quarter, Good Conduct Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, and two Sea Service Deployment Ribbons. Eric was deployed twice throughout the Far East, which included military operations in Indonesia, Thailand, The Philippines, Singapore, Malaysia, and Okinawa.
In law school, Eric was a co-founder of the Haiti Rule of Law Association, which provided aid and assistance to law students in Jeremie, Haiti. In 2005, Eric was selected to travel to Haiti with a selected group of Seton Hall law students and faculty to meet and provide further assistance to their counterparts in Jeremie.
Eric was named to New Jersey Super Lawyers in 2020 and 2021.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Legal Counsel to Medical Professionals
Erika Marshall provides legal counsel to medical professionals and healthcare entities in the area of healthcare business transactions and related matters.
Prior to joining Brach Eichler, Erika worked in the franchise division of Realogy Holdings Corporation where she handled multi-branded franchise agreements in the contracts department. Previously, she was an Associate at Ambrosio, De Pierro & Wernick, LLC where she worked on various types of matters encompassing civil litigation, family law, and legal malpractice.
Frances Stella has over 25 years of experience in federal and state environmental litigation, site remediation and environmental regulatory compliance and permitting, counseling in real estate redevelopment and transactions. Her environmental practice includes handling CERCLA, RCRA, CWA and associated state laws and regulations, including New Jersey Spill Act and ISRA claims and compliance issues, NYSDEC and NYSDOH site remediation and compliance issues, natural resource damage claims, cost recovery/contribution litigation and mediation, environmental insurance coverage litigation, environmental enforcement defense, defense of toxic torts, asbestos and vapor intrusion claims, and government compliance environmental investigations and audits. She handles site remediation negotiations with both state and federal environmental agencies and contracts with and supervises environmental consulting firms to develop and implement remedial activities in her role as Common Counsel for PRP groups at Superfund sites and for property owners and redevelopers.
Named to New Jersey Super Lawyers in 2020 and 2021 and The Best Lawyers in America© in 2020 and 2021, Frances is a frequent speaker and writer on legal environmental issues. Additionally, she was named in 2009 as a Women of Influence in Real Estate by Real Estate New Jersey and was also profiled as an Executive Woman in Business by the Mid-Atlantic Real Estate Journal in 2010. She is a Master of the Justice Stewart Pollock Environmental American Inns of Court.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Meet New Healthcare Law Attorney
James Ko focuses his practice on complex healthcare transactional and regulatory matters affecting a wide range of clients in the healthcare industry, including health systems, hospitals, physician groups, provider networks, pharmacies, and clinical laboratories.
Specifically, James advises clients on the Anti-Kickback Statute, Stark Law, False Claims Act, HIPAA compliance, state corporate practice of medicine doctrines, state licensure laws, contract drafting, and due diligence. In addition, he has experience helping healthcare providers navigate government audits and investigations. Further, James has assisted clients with the development of multiple recreational cannabis dispensary, craft grower, and transporter applications.
Prior to joining Brach Eichler, James worked for several law firms in the Chicago area where he advised clients in the healthcare industry and other sectors with respect to business transactions and general business counseling, including formation, reorganization, mergers and acquisitions, and joint ventures. He also handled the negotiation and drafting of contracts, including employment agreements, consulting agreements, service agreements, and supply and distribution agreements.