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  • Scott I. Unger

    Scott I. Unger

    Shareholder

    Scott I. Unger is a Shareholder in Stark & Stark’s Litigation Group and a member of the firm’s Securities Arbitration and Investment Management Practice Group, which represents clients in all aspects of securities arbitration proceedings and regulatory matters. His practice focuses on defending and counseling registered investment advisers (RIAs), investment professionals, and financial institutions in complex securities disputes, compliance investigations, and regulatory enforcement actions across the country.

    As a seasoned litigator, Scott has extensive experience handling cases nationwide, including in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Massachusetts, Texas, and Maryland. He regularly represents clients in matters involving FINRA, AAA, and JAMS arbitrations, breach of fiduciary duty claims, investment suitability disputes, and employment-related issues within the financial services industry.

    In addition to his securities and investment management work, Scott maintains a robust business and commercial litigation practice, counseling business owners in matters involving minority shareholder oppression (“corporate divorces”), breach of contract disputes, Uniform Commercial Code (U.C.C.) claims, consumer fraud actions, and appellate matters.

    Scott also serves as a member of Stark & Stark’s Employment Group, where he oversees the firm’s labor and employment litigation. He advises employers and executives on workplace disputes, employment contracts, and compliance with state and federal employment laws.

    Before joining Stark & Stark, Scott worked with The Ohio State University’s athletic department, ensuring adherence to NCAA, Big Ten, and Title IX regulations.

    He is also an accomplished author and lecturer. Scott contributed chapters to the American Bar Association’s Business Divorce treatise, addressing minority oppression claims and procedural limitations in derivative litigation. He frequently speaks on topics including shareholder disputes, commercial litigation strategy, and business torts.

    Bar/Court Admissions

    • New Jersey 
    • New York
    • Pennsylvania
    • Ohio
    • U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit 
    • U.S. Court of Appeals, Second Circuit
    • U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
    • U.S. District Court, Southern District of New York 
    • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of New York
    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of New York
    • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania 
    • U.S. District Court, Middle District of Pennsylvania
    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Ohio
    • U.S. District Court, Southern District of Ohio
    • U.S. District Court, Central District of Illinois
    • U.S. District Court, Eastern District of Texas
    • U.S. District Court, Northern District of Texas

    Education

    • J.D., The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, 1996
      • Zendell Scholarship for academic excellence and service to The Ohio State College of Law
    • B.A., History, The Ohio State University, 1993,
      • magna cum laude; President’s List; Dean’s List; Golden Key National Honor Society, Member

    Representative Experience

    Notable Matters & Decisions

    • Musikoff v. Jay Parrino’s The Mint, LLC, 172 N.J. 133 (2002)
    • Mola v. Tennsco Corporation, A-003282-01T1 (App. Div. 2003)
    • Hartnett v. Mastrorilli, A-006054-01T2 (App. Div. 2003)
    • Koroma v. Besam Automated Entrance Systems, A-006136-01T1 (App. Div. 2003)
    • New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Co. v. Gonsalves, 366 N.J. Super. 459 (Law Div. 2003)
    • State v. Sivo, 341 N.J. Super. 302 (Law Div. 2000)

    Thought Leadership

    Speaking Engagements

    • Presenter, Navigating the Minefield of Restrictive Covenants. RIA Compliance and Legal Strategies Conference. December 4, 2025.
    • The RIA Workplace, What’s Next? Arbitration & Litigation. Hiring. Confidentiality & Restrictive Covenants. Responding to Subpoenas. RIA Compliance and Legal Strategies Conference. June 1, 2023.
    • Minority Oppression. NJAJ Boardwalk Seminar 2016. April 7, 2016.
    • Oppressed Shareholder Litigation in New Jersey. Stark & Stark CLE Seminar. February 24, 2015.
    • Applying First Year Civil Procedure to the Actual Practice of Law. Ohio Basic CLE Seminar. October 12, 2014.
    • Basic Ohio Business Torts. Ohio Basic CLE Seminar. October 12, 2014.
    • Panelist. Top Five Cases in Business Tort. New Jersey Association for Justice Boardwalk Seminar. May 1, 2014.
    • CPE Seminar: Shareholder/ Member/ Partnership Disputes. Lawrenceville, New Jersey. February 2014.
    • Litigating Shareholder/Member/Partnership Disputes in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Doylestown, PA. July 2013
    • Minority Oppression Litigation in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Doylestown, PA. April 2009.
    • Shareholder Divorces. Hamilton, NJ. 2007
    • Taking and Defending Effective Depositions in New Jersey. Parsippany, NJ. August 2004.
    • Divorces Involving Closely-held Corporations, Limited Liability Companies and Professional Corporations. Mercer County Bar Association. 2003.
    • Avoiding Liability in the Control of Mosquitoes and Other Pests. National Pest Control Committee. 2003.
    • Applying First Year Civil Procedure to the Actual Practice of Law. The Ohio State University College of Law. November 2000.
    • Sports Law Careers for Lawyers. The University of Nebraska College of Law. October 1999.
    • Sports Law: NCAA Compliance and Representing Athletes in the National Football League. New York University. April 1998.

    Publications

    Media Appearances

    • Guest on “Joel Riley’s Podcast” on iHeart Radio
    • Co-host of “In the Public Interest” WZBN 25 and WIMG 1300 AM
    • Co-host of an hour-long weekly live radio and television show broadcast throughout western-central New Jersey
    • Guest on “It’s Your Call with Lynn Doyle” CN8
    • Featured guest on a live call-in television show addressing the constitutionality of the possible random drug testing of New Jersey high school students-athletes.

    Honors & Awards

    • New Jersey Super Lawyers List issued by Thompson Reuters (Methodology)
      • 2012 – 2017; Business Litigation
    • New Jersey Super Lawyers Rising Stars List issued by Thompson Reuters (Methodology).
      • 2008, 2011; Business Litigation

    * No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

    Professional Organizations

    • New Jersey Association for Justice – Co-Chair, Business Tort Committee
    • Pennsylvania Bar Association
    • New Jersey State Bar Association
    • Mercer County American Inn of Court
    • Bucks County Bar Association
    • American Bar Association – Business Divorce Subcommittee
    • Mercer County Bar Association

    Community Organizations

    • The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law National Council, Board Member
    • The Ohio State University Alumni Association, New Jersey Alumni Club, Treasurer, 1998-2008
    • Mercer County Bar Association, Committee on Continuing Legal Education, 2002-2005
    • Superior Court of New Jersey, Mercer County, Special Civil Part, Volunteer Bar Panelist, 2001-Present
    • The Ohio State University Buckeye Club
    • The Ohio State University Alumni Association, Lifetime Member
    • Some Dream Others Triumph Charity Group, Board Member
    Business & Commercial Law Blog
    August 7, 2026
    A few months ago, I wrote about the University of Michigan's decision to retain an outside law firm to investigate allegations within its athletic...
    Business & Commercial Law Blog
    July 31, 2026
    The New Jersey Appellate Division continues to define the scope of the Uniform Public Expression Protection Act (UPEPA)—New Jersey's Anti-SLAPP...
    July 27, 2026
    A common misconception in closely held business disputes is that those who control day-to-day operations can simply sideline another owner.  In...
    Business & Commercial Law Blog
    July 27, 2026
    One of the most common questions I hear from prospective clients is:  "My business partner has frozen me out. Can I sue?" The answer depends on...
    July 26, 2026
    Martinez v. T. Slack Environmental Services, Inc.  represents one of the most significant procedural wage-and-hour decisions issued by the Appellate...

    Firm Highlights

    Stark & Stark Shareholder Deborah S. Dunn, Esq. Installed as 2nd Vice President and Diversity Officer of the New Jersey Association for Justice for 2026–2027

    Stark & Stark is proud to announce that Shareholder Deborah S. Dunn, Esq. has been installed as 2nd Vice President and Diversity Officer of the...

    Stark & Stark Recognized with Community Partner Award by Mercer County Community College Foundation

    Stark & Stark is proud to announce that the firm has been recognized with the Community Partner Award by the Mercer County Community College...

    Carin A. O’Donnell, Esq. Inducted as 2026-2027 President of the Pennsylvania Association for Justice

    Stark & Stark is proud to announce that Carin A. O'Donnell, Esq. was sworn in as the 2026-2027 President of the Pennsylvania Association for...

    Stark & Stark’s Thomas S. Onder, Esq. Receives 2026 ICSC Trustees’ Distinguished Service Award

    Stark & Stark is proud to announce that Thomas S. Onder, Esq., Shareholder and Chair of the Firm’s Shopping Center & Retail Development...

    Stark & Stark’s Joseph H. Lemkin Esq., Named 2026 Professional Lawyer of the Year for the Jewish Bar Association of New Jersey

    Stark & Stark is proud to announce that Joseph H. Lemkin Esq. has been selected by the New Jersey Commission on Professionalism in the Law as...

    Our Values Remain: A Message on the Closing of Diversity Lab

    Stark & Stark is saddened and disappointed to learn that Diversity Lab, the organization that created and manages the Mansfield Certification...

    Congratulations to Shareholder Bhaveen R. Jani, Esq. on his Installation as Treasurer of the Middlesex County Bar Foundation

    Stark & Stark is proud to announce that Shareholder Bhaveen R. Jani, Esq. has been installed as Treasurer of the Middlesex County Bar Foundation,...

    Denise Mariani, Esq., and Jonathan Lauri, Esq. Secure $750,000 Jury Verdict Against Hamilton Healthcare and Rehabilitation Center

    It is our pleasure to announce that Denise Mariani, Esq., and Jonathan Lauri, Esq., secured a $750,000 jury verdict on behalf of a nursing home...

    Stark & Stark Welcomes 2026 Summer Law Clerks

    Stark & Stark is proud to announce its 10th Annual Summer Law Clerk Program. Five Summer Law Clerks will join the firm from June through July...

    Retail Development Team Secures Major Recovery for Landlord Client Amid Bankruptcy Dispute

    Our Shopping Center and Retail Development Group recently secured a multi-million-dollar settlement for a commercial landlord client' s property...

    Jeffrey A. Krawitz, Esq. and Catherine Foley, Esq. Secure $950,000 Settlement in Surgical Malpractice Matter

    Jeffrey A. Krawitz, Esq. and Catherine Foley, Esq. recently secured a confidential $950,000 settlement in a surgical malpractice case. “This...

    Victoria Wilton, Esq. Selected to Serve on New Jersey State Bar Association Family Law Executive Committee

    We are proud to announce that Victoria Wilton, Esq. has been selected to serve on the New Jersey State Bar Association Family Law Executive Committee...