Charles Toutant

Charles Toutant is a litigation writer for the New Jersey Law Journal.

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April 18, 2023 | New Jersey Law Journal

Litigation Funding Blamed for Spiking Insurance Settlements—But Is That Really True?

Critics of litigation funding say it causes trials and other proceedings to run longer, raising the costs of litigation.

By Charles Toutant

5 minute read

April 17, 2023 | New Jersey Law Journal

Bar Association Wants Gentler Approach to Attorney Discipline

"The court is continuously involved in efforts to improve all of its systems and welcomes feedback from the bar as well as other members of the legal community," judiciary spokesman Pete McAleer said.

By Charles Toutant

5 minute read

April 14, 2023 | New Jersey Law Journal

Big Law Attorney Must Sit for 2nd Deposition, After Being 'Evasive'

"Defendant indeed spoke words, but did not provide answers, thereby preventing effective examination," Special Master Dennis Cavanaugh said of the lawyer's performance at the first deposition.

By Charles Toutant

4 minute read

April 13, 2023 | New Jersey Law Journal

This Judge Has Been Tapped to Lead Passaic Courts

"I look forward to continuing a close working relationship with our bar and with the dedicated, hard-working judges, managers and staff in our vicinage," the judge said in a statement.

By Charles Toutant

3 minute read

April 13, 2023 | New Jersey Law Journal

Feet on the Desk: Judge Faces Public Reprimand

ACJC chair Virginia Long wrote that judges are free to alert counsel and litigants when they are unfamiliar with a particular legal issue. But this jurist's actions went a step farther, undermining public confidence in the judiciary, she wrote.

By Charles Toutant

5 minute read

April 12, 2023 | New Jersey Law Journal

New Judges in Charge—See Who's Been Picked to Oversee NJ Appellate Courts

One of the jurists becomes the first Black judge to lead the Appellate Division, while another the first woman to serve as acting deputy presiding judge for administration for the state's appellate court.

By Charles Toutant

3 minute read

April 12, 2023 | New Jersey Law Journal

Judge Faces Ethics Complaint After Court Staffer Visits His Beach House

"I wanted to come stop by if that's okay," the woman allegedly texted, to which the judge allegedly responded "Cool!" according to the complaint.

By Charles Toutant

3 minute read

April 11, 2023 | New Jersey Law Journal

'A Situation Like We Have Now': What's Driving New Jersey's Judge Shortage?

"I would still say you're worlds ahead of the places where they've got these elected judiciaries, and I think you should count yourselves lucky," Brian Fitzpatrick of Vanderbilt University said of New Jersey's judiciary.

By Charles Toutant

6 minute read

April 10, 2023 | New Jersey Law Journal

Attorneys' Phones Are Ringing as Stricter Law Takes Effect—Will Class Actions Follow?

"If the economics will not allow you to continue employing a certain number of people, then you are really going to be in a worse situation, because you now have these separate obligations to comply with as well," employment attorney Marissa Mastroianni said.

By Charles Toutant

5 minute read

April 10, 2023 | New Jersey Law Journal

Crash Involving Stolen Emergency Vehicle Leads to $1.2M Settlement in Bergen County

A taxi driver who suffered serious back and neck injuries when his vehicle was hit by a stolen paramedic vehicle settled his Bergen County suit, Hamed…

By Charles Toutant

5 minute read

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