- Criminal DefenseA 2002 graduate of Seton Hall University School of Law, William has almost 20 years of experience in litigation throughout New Jersey including family and matrimonial matters, civil matters, municipal court, criminal matters, probate matters and landlord tenant cases as well as drafting appeals and arguing before the New Jersey Appellate Division.
- DUI/DWI
- Traffic ViolationsHere at Griffin Alexander, P.C., our team of New Jersey and New York municipal law attorneys routinely defend clients who have been charged with driving while under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs, driving with a suspended license, and various other traffic offenses, and have done so effectively through municipal court proceedings. We also handle cases on behalf of those who are in control of real estate or otherwise manage such properties — landlords, community associations, developers, and others.
- Fraud$ 20 million dollar jury verdict for Hudson River Waterfront condominium association, including treble damages under Consumer Fraud Act;
- White Collar CrimesPrior to joining Griffin Alexander, Mr. Karimi was an Associate Attorney representing defendants charged with white-collar crimes and has litigated cases in various state courts and the Federal District Court for the District of New Jersey.
- Assault
- Corporate LawWe are able litigators who have tried numerous cases to verdict. This willingness and experience in litigating complex disputes has given us unique insight into how a conflict typically develops. We are therefore well-equipped to identify potential liability concerns while structuring an agreement. This ensures that we can incorporate “safety nets” for clients so that their risk of liability is minimized. For example, we might include an arbitration clause in a shareholder agreement to avoid the negative publicity and costs associated with standard trial litigation (in the event of a dispute).
- Business FormationWhen selecting a structure for your business, there are a number of factors that will have an impact on your decision: shielding individuals from personal liability, protecting oneself from creditors, minimizing taxes, growth expectations, procedural burdens, and more. At Griffin Alexander, P.C., we work with the client to evaluate their options in a holistic manner.
- Business DisputesMs. Alexander has successfully handled several housing discrimination suits on behalf of landlords filed by tenants and provides procedures and recommendations to help limit landlord exposure to Federal Fair Housing violations. She also appears in court related to contract disputes for both community associations and landlords and when her clients are cited for violations.
- Business TransactionsBefore joining Griffin Alexander, P.C., Ms. Brafman worked as Underwriting Counsel for a National Title Underwriter on residential and commercial transactions. Prior to that, Ms. Brafman worked as a Title Officer for several Title Agencies including her own where she supervised 14 employees for 14 years. She attended zoning meetings to facilitate the conversion of her office building from residential to mixed use designation. Ms. Brafman has dedicated her career as Real Estate Attorney to handling hundreds of closings including working with the New Jersey Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency on the Homekeeper closings. She also has made appearances in Landlord/Tenant court, Family court and Municipal Court, and she has also worked as a Title Closer and Settlement Agent. Ms. Brafman was Treasurer of the Westfield Rotary Club, a Paul Harris Fellow, and clerked in Bankruptcy Court and Orphan’s Court which handles Estates and Trusts and Adoptions. Ms. Brafman also taught legal research and writing during law school.
- Limited Liability CompaniesDevelopers and their contractors utilize the Internal Revenue Code to form “Limited Liability Companies” or “LLCs” to minimize their liability. Unless properly and vigorously pursued, an Association can wind up with a Judgment that cannot be collected. It is important to hire a firm with the right skills and track record to “pierce the corporate veil” of these LLCs, when the law allows, to maximize the Associations’ recovery.
- Intellectual PropertyMs. Acevedo graduated from Binghamton University (B.A. 2019) and Seton Hall Law School (J.D. 2022). While in law school, Ms. Acevedo served as a student attorney for the Housing Justice Project as a part of Seton Hall Law’s Civil Litigation Clinic. As a student attorney, Ms. Acevedo represented clients in landlord/tenant and foreclosure matters. Ms. Acevedo was a member of Seton Hall Law’s Interscholastic Mock Trial team where she participated in national competitions. Ms. Acevedo also served as the President of the Intellectual Property Law Association.
- Real Estate LitigationLitigation is a primary practice area at Griffin Alexander, P.C. The unfortunate reality of real estate law is that — no matter what you do to establish preventative measures (in an effort to avoid a dispute) — litigation is sometimes inevitable. When the process of real estate litigation begins, it’s important that you work with experienced and proven New Jersey trial practitioners who can capably handle your case from start-to-finish.
- Construction LitigationGriffin Alexander recognizes the importance, difficulty, and expense of the transition process. Construction defects, shortcomings by the developer on promised facilities, and underfunded reserves are often at the center of disputes regarding a new community association. Our attorneys are skilled in uncovering these problems during the transition process and establishing a thoughtful, measured plan to resolve them. We recognize that transition defects can undermine the value of a property. It is, therefore, critical to identify and resolve these issues at an early stage. Griffin Alexander prides itself on its history of client satisfaction and retention, based on proven results obtained over the last several decades.
- Real Estate TransactionsReal estate transactions may seem straightforward at first glance, but there are a number of ways in which they can “go wrong.” It’s important that you consult a qualified attorney who can properly guide you through real estate closings, refinancing, and/or development in a way that properly protects your interests.
- Easement
- Land Use and ZoningMr. Griffin represented community associations, providing guidance through the transition process from developer to homeowner control, and served as general counsel for community associations. Mr. Griffin appeared before Planning and Zoning Boards in support of community association applications, and in opposition to development applications contrary to client interests. He also appeared in municipal court when community associations were cited for violations.
- Landlord-Tenant DisputesWhile it is crucial for landlords to have a thorough understanding of state landlord tenant law, it is also just as important for them to understand the impact of certain federal laws. Our firm specializes in navigating the complexities of federal fair housing laws, and federal laws relating to the rights of individuals with disabilities, including the Americans with Disabilities Act. Even more, we provide seminars on these subjects for landlords, management companies and developers.
- Property DamageAt Griffin Alexander, P.C., we not only help create and draft bylaws and governing documents, but we assist in enforcing the provisions as well. When it comes to enforcing property rules and regulations, the correct response to the issue will depend upon the nature and severity of the problem. In some cases, a simple cease and desist letter will be sufficient to correct the matter. In more severe cases where property damage may be at issue, a condominium association attorney can help secure an injunction against the resident or entity responsible for the damage.
- Condominium LawAlthough most transition defect lawsuits center around construction defects, it is critical to have an experienced and well-versed condominium law firm analyze the governing documents of the association.
- Personal InjuryMs. Wiegand has represented the firm’s clients in various complex litigation involving breach of contract, fraud, and breach of warranty of habitability. More recently, Ms. Wiegand successfully defended a lawsuit for a client and obtained a $70,000 money judgment in the client’s favor for the plaintiff’s breach of contract and frivolous litigation. She also successfully defended and resolved a lawsuit involving alleged habitability, damage, and personal injury claims. She continues to vigorously defend lawsuits on behalf of her clients and prosecute claims for clients, while balancing and considering their financial and business needs.
- Medical MalpracticePrior to joining Griffin Alexander, P.C., Ms. Lazaro worked as an Associate Attorney representing healthcare providers throughout New York City in medical malpractice lawsuits.
- Estate PlanningHere at Griffin Alexander, P.C., our estate attorneys can help you properly document your various requests and working to draft a comprehensive plan that achieves all your estate planning goals. We have decades of experience serving the interests of our clients in a range of transactional and litigation-related issues, and these broad experiences have ensured that we approach any and all legal matters with a more flexible, practical mindset — it is our belief that by engaging closely with clients, we gain a deeper understanding of their goals and preferences, and are better-equipped to tackle the unique challenges and opportunities that are likely to arise in estate planning (and otherwise).
- WillsRobert C. Griffin is currently retired from the firm. His major areas of practice were Community Association Law and Litigation. He also handled Business Start-Ups, Commercial Law, Fair Housing and Discrimination issues, Labor Law, Rights of the Disabled, Land Use, Real Estate Transactions, Wills and Trusts, and Municipal Court.
- TrustsFor example, if our client is concerned about the possibility of exposure to creditor claims, we will identify potential strategies for shielding assets from creditors, which may involve moving estate assets into an irrevocable trust (i.e., qualified personal residence trust, testamentary trust, etc.). In another case, a client may be a landlord with extensive real estate assets that they are concerned about managing in the event that they are rendered incapacitated in an accident, or due to a medical condition. We work with such clients to draft airtight documentation that will not only direct treating physicians as to the specifics of their healthcare management but will draft documentation that selects a qualified stand-in to manage their real estate property during the period of incapacity. Without this level of planning, the incapacitated individual may recover at a later date only to find that their hard-earned assets have deteriorated and lost their value.
- Power of AttorneyEstate and contingency planning can never happen too soon. Having a Will can mean the difference between disposition of your real and personal property, and making arrangements for loved ones, all in accordance with your final wishes; or unnecessary strife and possible litigation between beneficiaries. The same holds true for having in place a Living Will disclosing your requests with respect to quality of life issues; as well as a Power of Attorney to provide assistance should you not wish to, or be able to make decisions on your own.
- Probate
- Bankruptcy
- ForeclosureNot all cases need to be resolved in Court. We attempt to work with homeowners who want to pay their maintenance fees. Sometime lawsuits are necessary, however, and we are prepared to process and file them swiftly, and to pursue post-litigation remedies. Sometimes the only plausible remedy is foreclosure. In such cases, we assist by filing a lien, initiating a foreclosure Complaint, and attending the sheriff’s sale.
- Tax LawMr. Griffin works with individuals, construction companies, contractors, service and health care providers, real estate agents, wholesale and retail sales companies, manufacturers and distributors. Mr. Griffin has lectured on budgeting and monitoring; financing for small businesses; and, tax planning.
- Debt CollectionThe practice of debt collection is not only subject to state law, but is also governed by federal law — primarily, the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (“FDCPA”). These laws limit the ways you can contact a debtor and how you can compel payment. It is important that your attorney is not only familiar with the laws themselves, but their practical applications. Griffin Alexander, P.C. can identify the restrictions and their practical effect on the ways community associations can recover unpaid maintenance fees and other assessments.