Andrew F. Garruto began his legal career as a judicial intern for the Honorable Stanley R. Chesler, U.S. Magistrate, (now U.S. District Court Judge), in Newark, New Jersey. He then worked as a Judicial Law Clerk for the Honorable June Strelecki, Judge of the NJ Superior Court and then for the Honorable Arthur J. Blake, Judge of the NJ Superior Court. In 1992, Andrew Garruto became a trial lawyer in an active litigation firm before practicing law on his own. His newly built office is located in his hometown of Nutley, New Jersey, and he also has an office in downtown Manhattan. Mr. Garruto concentrates his practice on personal injury claims, involving any incident where one’s negligence causes injury to another, as well as Workers’ Compensation claims. Mr. Garruto is admitted to practice law by the New Jersey Supreme Court, the United States Federal District Court, and the United States Supreme Court. He is a member of the New Jersey Association for Justice, the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney, is certified by the National Board of Trial Advocacy as a Board Certified Trial Attorney, is a Fellow of the Litigation Counsel of America, and was named in New Jersey Monthly Magazine’s “Top 100 Lawyers in New Jersey.”

Brandon J. Broderick, Esq. is an accomplished New Jersey trial lawyer who focuses his practice mainly in the area of personal injury law. He has secured countless jury verdicts and is highly respected in the New Jersey legal community. Mr. Broderick is admitted to practice law in New Jersey and the Federal District Court of New Jersey. Having passed the New Jersey State Bar immediately following his law school graduation, he received a prestigious one-year appointment as Law Clerk to the Honorable Bruce Gaeta and the Honorable Kenneth Slomienski, Judges of The Civil Division for the Superior Court of New Jersey in Bergen County. Mr. Broderick specialized in personal injury law as an associate at one of the largest personal injury firms in northern New Jersey from September 2006 until December 2010. There, he secured the biggest jury verdict in the firm's 26-year history. Additionally, he won the largest settlement of any other attorney at the firm. He also had the unique opportunity to litigate cases in state and federal court all throughout New Jersey. Having shown exceptional talent for trial work, Mr. Broderick was then picked up by a Ridgewood, New Jersey law firm where he joined the state's leading group of litigators in personal injury. While at the firm, he won every single one of his trials. On January 1, 2012, Mr. Broderick announced the opening of his own office in the heart of Bergen County. Mr. Broderick strives to meet every client's expectations, and he will work tirelessly to ensure the right outcome for your case. In fact, all of our clients have become accustomed to his 12-hour callback guarantee, in recognition of the absolute necessity of being in touch with clients and addressing all concerns in a timely and efficient manner. This promise is what helps distinguish Mr. Broderick from other attorneys. With a past track record of success and a long-standing commitment to client care, Mr. Broderick will be able to properly assess your case and take the best strategy available in litigating your matter. Highly experienced in litigation, negotiation, arbitration, and settlement, Mr. Broderick will work hard to make sure you get the results you deserve.

At Franzblau Dratch, P.C. we provide our clients with legal services in a comprehensive, yet cost effective manner, while at the same time reflecting and pursuing only the highest legal and ethical standards. While large enough to offer our clients a wealth of diverse experience and skill, Franzblau Dratch's goal is to provide close, hands on, attention to every client and matter entrusted to our care.

Christopher Theodore Karounos is a practicing lawyer in the state of New Jersey.

David M. Estes concentrates his practice in class action, product liability, and personal injury litigation. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Estes served as a law clerk to the Honorable Victor Ashrafi of the New Jersey Appellate Division. He also served as a summer clerk to the Honorable Jerome Simandle of the U.S. District Court of New Jersey, and judicial intern to the Honorable Theodore McKee of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. Mr. Estes is admitted to practice law in New Jersey.

Douglas S. Schwartz, formerly of the Union County Prosecutor's Office, joined the firm in 1992 and became a partner in 1999, when the name of the firm was changed to Sisselman & Schwartz, LLP. Douglas Schwartz is a practicing lawyer in the state of New Jersey specializing in Accident & Injury. Mr. Schwartz received his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1991.

We’re committed to providing you with top-notch legal support. We approach every client with a focus on integrity, advocacy, and understanding. We fight for you! Our legal team has a well-deserved reputation of excellence in providing smart, sensible, and cost-effective legal and business solutions for our clients.

I always knew that I wanted to start my own practice after I graduated from law school. My goal was to help people with their personal issues. Being a personal advocate to me was always taking the strongest position for your client and never giving up the fight, even when you think you might lose. The motto of "Never give up" was something that carried over throughout my career as an attorney. In 2002 I began my legal career in litigation at a plaintiff's personal injury firm. I learned the value of communicating with clients who were severely injured and were looking for compensation. Their biggest complaints were that the attorneys in the office never got back to them on what was happening with their case. So I made it my goal to always return every phone call. I never left the office for the day until every single phone call had been returned. As a young associate, I knew client communication was the number one goal to a satisfied customer. Shortly thereafter in early 2003, I felt it was time to move on, and I launched my career into criminal law at the Kings County District Attorney's Office. I was quickly thrown into the courtroom and cut my teeth on over 300 misdemeanor cases, many of which I tried to successful verdicts. I was then placed into the grand jury were I successfully indicated over 500 criminals resulting in sustainable felony charges. In 2006, I was promoted to a felony assistant. I returned to the courtroom in the Supreme Court of New York fighting for the citizens of Brooklyn. While trying numerous felony cases I quickly learned how to size up my cases early on, gather evidence that would hold up in front of a jury, and prepare my witnesses so that their stories were fluid, credible, and accurate. I won as many cases as I lost, but I learned to never be afraid to take any case to verdict, especially the tough ones, because you never know what can help. I never enjoyed being pushed around in the courtroom and I learned how to push back respectfully and diligently with the most up to date legal precedent and as much evidence as possible to prove my point. I never stopped until I found the truth and combed every piece of paper, report, or photo to find the answers I was seeking. I always went the extra mile to find as many witnesses as possible and as much evidence as I could to win. In 2007 I began to feel that I needed to make a change in my career. I returned to civil litigation. I spent a number of years in private practice where I defended insurance companies on complex litigation matters. I am extremely glad that I made the switch because it gave me the opportunity to learn the behind the scene decisions of insurance adjusters and lengths they will go in order to deny your claim. Additionally, I learned how litigate complex matters breaking down the issues to handle them effectively. I never thought of myself as a "defense guy" and I knew my skills were better equipped for a plaintiff's practice. The decisions the insurance companies made in denying claims against parties that were truly injured I believed were performed in error. In 2010 I made the decision to open my own law firm. I knew that I wanted to devote myself to taking on smaller clients that needed personal attention and were looking for guidance. I was fortunate enough to be selective in the types of cases that I took on in my practice. I did not want to treat my clients like they were just a name and number whose file was sitting on a shelf. I made it my business to know my clients personally, give them as much individual attention so that they feel that they are my only client. In my current practice I bring intuitive trial skills along with my communication skills. I still make it my number one priority to personally return every phone message I receive. Additionally, I guide my clients through every step of the litigation. I like to make them feel they are part of the process. I know my clients appreciate my diligence and hard work. Lastly, I've learned to take on the difficult cases, and I know that there are times when you have to force your adversary into the courtroom. I am not afraid to lose, and it's that confidence which has made me successful.

SOHAIL SHAHPAR, ESQ. (2006, Hofstra University School of Law). Since 1999 Mr. Shahpar has worked as a Major League Baseball Players Association Certified Agent representing clients in contract negotiations, endorsement deals, and arbitration. Mr. Shahpar joined the Firm in 2008 and specializes his practice to employment matters such as contracts and severance agreements. Mr. Shahpar is licensed to practice in New Jersey and New York.