Employment

Richard A. Gantner is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey, Board on Trial Attorney Certification, as a Civil Trial Attorney. Rich practices primarily in the areas of Employment law (plaintiff and management); and represents claimants in Medical Malpractice; Personal Injury; Automobile Accidents and Injuries; and Workers Compensation.

“When a client selects our office to represent them, it is a great honor. Our clients trust us to navigate them through the rigors of a high-stakes legal system. There is nothing more professionally satisfying to me than rewarding that trust by achieving a successful result.” Tim is experienced in all areas of complex litigation and alternative dispute resolution and focuses his practice on medical malpractice, personal injury, and appellate law. A partner in Phelan, Phelan & Danek and head of the Appellate Law practice, his strength is a comprehensive knowledge of the law and understanding of the legal process. Prior to entering private practice, Tim served as an Appellate Court Attorney for the Appellate Division Third Department. This experience provided him an insider's perspective of the different courts, and how the court decision process works. He has been with Phelan, Phelan & Danek from the beginning, and values its big firm experience, small firm relationships, and the family environment. Tim is very active with his family and community. He serves as Board President with Niskayuna Youth Football & Cheerleading, works with the Niskayuna Town Parks & Recreation Committee, and coaches his daughter's travel softball team. Married for 14 years to his high school sweetheart Jessica, he has 3 children, softball player Cadence, 11, footballer Brooks, 10, and 6-year-old Lilly, who specializes in 'trouble'. Lawyer.com Member Questionnaire Please describe a case(s) in the last year or two where you made a big difference. I received a call from a 10 year old girl who broke her wrists using monkey bars at school.  After falling, her teacher declined to let her see the nurse and she completed the school day.  She was healing well, but several attorneys turned down her case believing that her damages were limited.  The School District’s insurance company claimed that they were only responsible for a couple of hours of pain and suffering and offered nuisance value.  I took the case and sued the School District for depriving the child of her civil rights under 42 U.S.C. section 1983, by depriving the child of her basic human right to medical care.  The case settled quickly after that for a substantial settlement. How did you build a successful practice? The cornerstone of my practice, as with most, is to listen specifically to my client’s needs.  I believe what sets my practice apart, is creativity in designing approaches to reach a client’s goals using all available avenues.  To achieve this goal, I have developed expertise in all means available.  From trial to alternative dispute resolution, I have the expertise to achieve the goals of my clients in the means that best suits their objectives. What should clients look for in a lawyer? First and foremost, clients should look for an experienced lawyer who listens to them and understands their core objectives.  I believe that a fundamental component to the lawyer’s job is to ensure that he or she understands exactly what the client’s objectives are.  Once the objectives are clearly identified, the attorney’s responsibility to provide the client with available options to achieve that goal and an honest evaluation of the case. What information can you provide in a free phone consultation? During our initial telephone conversation, we will discuss the aspects of your case and get an understanding of not only what happened, but what you would like to have happen moving forward.  At this point, we will determine if my firm is an appropriate match for you.  If so, we will make a plan to meet and discuss what materials, if necessary, we should review as we continue to develop a plan. What information do you need in a free phone consultation? During the initial telephone conversation, clients should be prepared to generally discuss the nature of their case and be prepared with as many details as possible.  We need to know what happened, and how it has impacted you.  In addition, we need to know the timing of the occurrences that give rise to your potential claim.  Time may be of the essence, so please call as soon as possible.  We are here and ready to help you. What differentiates you from other lawyers in your community? What differentiates me from other lawyers in this field is the perspectives on the law and the system that I have honed over the course of my career.  One of the keys to the development of my practice was my time as a clerk with the Appellate Division, Third Department.  Not only was I exposed to several types of cases while there, but I gained the valuable and rare perspective of the cases from the Court’s view.  Using these experiences, I have endeavored to create a practice model that is friendly to the Court’s needs.  I find that this approach has been helpful to achieve client goals. What is the most rewarding aspect of your job? The most rewarding part of my job is the satisfaction that I take away from making a difference in my client’s lives.  Clients come to our firm with a need, and often in distress.  We work hard to reach a conclusion of their case that meets their needs and improves their lives.  The opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of others is what sparked my interest in the law years ago and still fuels my practice today. What are your other interests in addition to law? I am an active volunteer in the Community.  I have four children and coach youth football.

Attorney Giordano started his career in the Enforcement Division of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in its New York Regional Office. There, he participated in civil and administrative actions against broker-dealers and registered representatives for violations of federal securities laws; and conducted discovery and administrative investigations. ‍ After his employment with the SEC in New York City, between the 1980’s and the early 1990’s, he worked as a Special Assistant U.S. Attorney in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in the District of New Jersey where he investigated and prosecuted federal criminal matters with a concentration on federal securities fraud violations; presented evidence and witnesses before the U.S. Grand Jury. ‍ Attorney Giordano entered private practice in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in early 1990’s and acted as principal in various law firms for over three decades. In May 2005, Attorney Giordano along with Attorney Reed opened their law firm, Reed & Giordano, P.A. ‍ Attorney Giordano deals with various areas of commercial and complex litigation, securities litigation, arbitration and many more. He has over thirty years of experience representing businesses and individuals in a wide variety of legal disputes and transactions. Attorney Giordano is experienced in all phases of civil and commercial litigation, including trial and appellate practice in state and federal courts. Attorney Giordano is experienced in representing both individuals and companies in complex commercial matters, including shareholder disputes, buyouts, fraud and claims involving breach of fiduciary duty.

R. Lasko Co. LPA is a transaction-oriented firm, focused on all varieties of Corporate/LLC work, including merger and acquisitions, all of the related corporate work, for the closely held company.

Sandy Meizlish is the managing partner at Barkan Meizlish, LLP, with extensive experience in personal injury, medical malpractice, and product liability law. Throughout his career, Mr. Meizlish has worked diligently to represent individuals injured or wronged through the negligence of others. Mr. Meizlish is a life member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum signifying that he has won individual settlements in excess of $2 Million Dollars for his clients. Mr. Meizlish has been named to Who’s Who in the Law, as well as received the American Jurisprudence Award. Mr. Meizlish is a past editor of Bar Briefs, the publication of the Columbus Bar Association. He has been selected as a Top Attorney in Ohio by Cincinnati Magazine and the American Trial Lawyers Association has named Mr. Meizlish one of the top 100 trial attorneys in Ohio. Mr. Meizlish has been selected by his peers for inclusion in the 2013 Best Lawyers in America listing. Around the Columbus Metropolitan Area, Mr. Meizlish is heavily involved with the Leo Yassenoff Jewish Community Center (former board member), the Columbus Bar Foundation, and the William A. Barkan Memorial 3 on 3 Charity Basketball Tournament. He is a past member of the Columbus State Community College Foundation Board.

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.

Shakuntla is a graduate of University of Delaware where she has received her Bachelor of Science in Political Studies and Philosophy with a Minor in Women Studies, and a graduate of Northeastern University School of Law (1985) Shaku is a frequent speaker on automobile insurance issues. Shaku is a past President for the Delaware Trial Lawyers Association and the YWCA.

For over 25 years, Stephen Matarazzo has helped workers pursue redress of grievances and bring workers compensation cases to a successful closure in New Jersey. He’s been an ally of working people for a quarter of a century. Stephen became an attorney to make a difference in client’s lives. He explains, “I practice workers’ compensation law because those who produce for all the country all too often get the short end of the stick. With my help, they can get their due when they are injured at work.” Mr. Matarazzo graduated from Widener University Law School in Wilmington, Delaware, in 1995, where he received the American Jurisprudence Award for Excellent Achievement in Torts I. He is active in numerous legal organizations. ● Atlantic County Bar Association, Member (1998 to present) ● New Jersey State Bar Association, Member, (1998 to present) ● The Justice James H. Coleman, Jr. New Jersey Workers’ Compensation American Inn of Court (1997 to present) Stephen has four children. He enjoys playing golf in his free time. Stephen enjoys taking his kids to Flyers, Sixers and Phillies games.

Arthur studied at Penn State University & Widener University - Delaware Law School. He is a frequent speaker on automobile insurance issues and was the lead attorney for several million dollar cases for his clients.

Proudly taking estate and family law cases out of Pittsburgh Pennsylvania.