In The News

• Stark & Stark Shareholder Comments on Madoff Sentencing Bill Singer, Shareholder in Stark & Stark’s Securities group, was interviewed yesterday on CBC News. Mr. Singer commented on the 150-year sentence delivered to Bernard Madoff in response to the tens of billions of dollars he stole from hundreds of investors in his Ponzi scheme.   Mr. Singer states that while he is happy that Madoff received the maximum sentence possible, it will do little to change the ways of criminal Wall Street investors. Mr. Singer warns that regulation of our securities markets has to be preemptive and focused on prevention instead of punishment in order to prevent another similar situation from occurring again in the next five to ten years.   You can watch the full interview online here.   ....
• How to Immediately Cut Your Company's Energy Costs and Control Energy Expenses in the Future Vincent J. Mangini, Shareholder in Stark & Stark’s Real Estate, Zoning & Land Use group, will present a seminar entitled How to Immediately Cut Your Company’s Energy Costs and Control Energy Expenses in the Future in conjunction with New Jersey’s Clean Energy Program and its New Jersey SmartStart Buildings program. The seminar is hosted by CrunchEnergy, an energy services company dedicated to helping businesses reduce energy costs.     The seminar will be presented from 8:00 AM – 12:30 PM September 9, 2009 and September 10, 2009. The September 9th event will be held at The Villa in Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, and the September 10th event will be held at the Sheraton in Eatontown, New Jersey.   The seminar will provide actionable recommendations to cut energy costs immediately, while providing the insight to prepare for upcoming regulations and impending laws and current initiatives, like New Jersey’s Energy Master Plan. The material ....
• Stark & Stark Shareholder Comments on Senators' Amendments to Eminent Domain Legislation Timothy P. Duggan, Shareholder of Stark & Stark’s Condemnation group, was quoted in the June 16, 2009 NJ Biz article, Senators announce amendments to eminent domain legislation. The article discusses the recent amendments to State Senate majority leader Steve Sweeney (D-West Deptford) and State Senator Ronald Rice’s (D-Newark) previously proposed eminent domain legislation, which would allow  redevelopment in the state while still providing protection and fair compensation to property owners if eminent domain is required. Mr. Duggan states that you need a good compromise by making certain that redevelopment is allowed to go forward in some areas, such as inner cities, while curbing abuses in areas that are truly not blighted. Mr. Duggan also comments on effects the recent economy has had on several redevelopment plans in the area. You can read the full article online here. ....
• Stark & Stark Shareholder Presents Seminar on Minimizing Risk, Avoiding Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution David J. Byrne, Shareholder and Co-Chairperson of Stark & Stark's Community Association Group presented materials related to minimizing risk, avoiding litigation and alternative dispute resolution, in conjunction with Donald B. Brenner, Esquire, during a seminar entitled "Managing Costs and Risks in Challenging and Uncertain Economic Times". The presentation was held at the Meadowlands Exposition Center in Secaucus, New Jersey on Wednesday, May 13, 2009.    Mr. Byrne focused his presentation on how condominiums, homeowners associations and cooperatives can avoid and/or resolve conflicts through alternative dispute resolution, as well as comply with New Jersey in respect of alternative dispute resolution.  He discussed mediation, arbitration and ADR.  Mr. Byrne also discussed how to best employ ADR in the context of community associations, to best ensure rule compliance, dispute resolution and the absence of litigation. ....
• Stark & Stark Shareholder Comments on New Jersey Supreme Court Ruling Concerning to the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act Thomas B. Lewis, Chair of Stark & Stark's Employment group, was quoted in the June 5, 2009 article on Law360.com entitled, Securities Sales Not Subject To Fraud Act: NJ Court. The article discuss the recent New Jersey Supreme Court ruling which states that a broker accused of failing to properly transfer funds for the purchase of securities and the firm that employed the broker can't be held liable under the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act.   Mr. Lewis states that applying to the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act to cases such as this could be harmful to banks and brokerage houses, as the ramifications of applying the statute to such sales could be mind-boggling because of the treble damages and court costs provisions. You can read the full article online here . (PDF) ....
• Having the Law on Your Side: Experienced legal counsel can ease the path to independence Brian A. Carlis, Shareholder in Stark & Stark Securities group, authored the article Having the Law on Your Side: Experienced legal counsel can ease the path to independence as part of the 2009 InvestmentNews What You Need to Know About Going Independent Workshop Series. The full article is below:   Going independent can be an enormous opportunity for you as a financial adviser. Perhaps most importantly, you have the flexibility to do what you believe is best for each of your clients, to create a firm that reflects your approach and your experience. At the same time, you are building a business that could have significant value when you are ready to sell it down the line.   Of course, you also have the risks and the responsibilities of running your own business. But increasingly, advisers are willing to accept the risks in order to embrace the opportunities.   The full-service or regional broker/dealers you work for are interested in making it as difficult as ....
• Stark & Stark Shareholder Comments on Recent Dow Jones Activity Bill Singer, Shareholder in Stark & Stark's Securities group, was quoted in the May 20, 2009 Forbes.com article Our See-Sawing Markets: The Dow Jones industrial average just ended a streak where it alternated up and down for 13 sessions. Here's what it means.    Mr. Singer comments on the 13 trading sessions, which began May 1st and ended May 20th, in which the Dow Jones industrial average failed to hold a streak for longer than one day. Over the course of the 13 days, the markets were up one day, then they were down the next, and vice-versa. You can read the full article online here. ....
• New Jersey Council: Assessments and Collections Stark & Stark Community Associations Group Co-Chair, A. Christopher Florio, will present at seminar for the Pennsylvania and Delaware Valley Chapter of the Community Associations Institute entitled, New Jersey Council: Assessments and Collections. The seminar will be held Friday May 29, 2009 at the Holiday Village Community Services Association in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey.   The seminar will cover the all-important topic of assessments and collections in New Jersey’s common interest ownership communities. Topics to be covered include an extensive overview of collections procedures and applicable state law, how to handle collections when owners are in bankruptcy or facing foreclosure and tips on developing a collections policy for your community.   You can access additional information online here. ....
• Stark & Stark Shareholder Comments on Enforcement of Brokers Bonus Repayment Thomas B. Lewis, Shareholder and Chair of Stark & Stark's Employment Litigation group, was quoted in the May 7, 2009 Dow Jones article, BROKER'S WORLD: Brokers Fight Bonus Repayment - And Lose. The article discusses the recent rise in companies enforcing the repayment of signing and retention bonuses. Mr. Lewis states that, "Enforcement proceedings...are becoming even more common as brokers move to different companies and cash-strapped brokerages try to grab whatever money they can."   You can read the full article online here. (PDF) ....
• Litigation Strategies For Business Seminar Shareholders from Stark & Stark's Litigation group will hold a free seminar entitled Litigation Strategies For Business Wednesday June 24, 2009 at 9:00 AM in the firm's Lawrenceville office. Join Stark& Stark's Litigation attorneys as they assist you in developing a strategic plan that minimizes the impact commercial litigation has on your business. Stark & Stark's team of commercial litigators hold decades of experience prosecuting and defending complex claims of copyright and trademark infringement, breach of contract, fraud, theft of trade secrets, and unfair competition. In the Litigation Strategies For Business Seminar you will learn how to develop a litigation strategy to be employed in any type of commercial lawsuit including: Assessing both the benefits and risks of litigation Pursuing insurance coverage Determining when and whether to seek a negotiated resolution to litigation Developing strategies for less expensive dispute resolution alternatives including ....
• Stark & Stark Shareholder Serves as Panelist for New Jersey Law Journal Green Building in New Jersey Roundtbale Discussion Stark & Stark Real Estate, Zoning & Land Use Shareholder, Vincent J. Mangini, was a featured panelist for the New Jersey Law Journal's May 4, 2009 Green Building in New Jersey Roundtbale discussion. Green building is a rapidly growing, complex and evolving field which requires hard-to-come-by expertise. Mr. Mangini joined with several real estate and green building attorneys who understand these issues, and joined together in order to offer their insights.   Mr. Mangini states, "Green building is defined in a number of ways, depending on the context. The Environmental Protection Agency defines it as “creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient throughout a building’s life cycle, from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation, and deconstruction.”   You can read the full roundtable discussion online here. (PDF) ....
• Stark & Stark Shareholder Named Mercer County Professional Lawyer of the Year The Mercer County Bar Association (MCBA) officially announced John S. Eory, of Stark & Stark's Divorce Group, as its recipient of the Mercer County Professional Lawyer of the Year Award.  The award will be formally presented at the Mercer County Bar Association General Membership “Beefsteak” honoring retiring Judges from the Mercer Vicinage on Thursday, May 21, 2009, at 6:00 p.m. at The Firkin Tavern, Parkway Avenue, Ewing, New Jersey. The Professional Lawyer of the Year Award is given to someone who is well-recognized for character and competence; someone who is respected by all and looked upon as a role model of appropriate professional behavior.  John Eory is known and regarded throughout the community and legal profession for his exemplary conduct and character.  He is a positive role model and his good deeds serve to focus favorable public attention to the legal profession. An Awards Ceremony will be held in September at the New Jersey Law Center in ....
• Stark & Stark Shareholder Warns Against Allure of Online Foreign-Currency Trading Bill Singer, Shareholder in Stark & Stark's Securities group, was quoted in the April 19, 2009 New York Post article Caught in the Currency. The article discusses the recent rise in online foreign-currency trading in the wake of steep losses in the stock and housing markets. Mr. Singer cautions traders to be aware of who they are trading against. Mr. Singer states, "They could be trading against professional traders with a lot of research, charts and sophisticated computer programs -- and these pros could fleece them."   You can read the full article here. (PDF) ....
• Stark & Stark Shareholder Authors Articles Discussing SEC Bid Test and Recent FINRA Disciplinary Case Stark & Stark Securities group Shareholder, Bill Singer, is the author of a weekly column, Intelligent Investing, for Forbes Magazine. The column focuses on Wall Street regulatory developments and discusses regulation from the individual investor’s point of view. On April 17, 2009 Mr. Singer's article, Short-Selling: The Next 'American Idol'?, questions if the Securities and Exchange Commission should let the public have a voice in how to regulate our financial markets. On April 8, 2009 the SEC announced that it was opening its phone lines and seeking the public’s opinion as to whether or not it would reinstate a tick/bid test. Mr. Singer argues that this is one area in which the commission should be the judge, not the public. You can read the full article here. (PDF) On April 24, 2009 Mr. Singer' article, Love Stinks, discusses the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority’s recent disciplinary case against former Cowen & Co. Senior Research Analyst, Dhulsini ....
• A Safe Harbor for Employment Claims Thomas B. Lewis, Chair of Stark & Stark's Employment Group, and Michael J. Brittan, member of Stark & Stark's Employment group, authored an article for the Monday March 30, 2009 edition of the New Jersey Law Journal entitled A Safe Harbor for Employment Claims: Ensure minimal liability from discrimination claims.   The article discusses what employers should do in a discrimination case if, after investigating and taking action against the discriminating employee, the offended employee continues to pursue legal action. You can read the full article online here. ....