Charles Toutant

September 29, 2010 | New Jersey Law Journal

Adoptive parents cannot ignore blood bonds between siblings and may be ordered to permit visitation upon proof it would be in the adopted child's best interests, a unanimous state Supreme Court rules.

By Charles Toutant

4 minute read

November 15, 2004 | New Jersey Law Journal

There's no getting around the facts: Law is a business, law firms are companies and companies need corporate counsel. The idea of a "lawyer's lawyer" who handles the firm's personal legal work is not new. Most largish firms have one or more lawyers informally dedicated to ethics compliance, risk management, insurance and even litigation matters. But with lawyers finding themselves more and more the subjects of government scrutiny and the targets of lawsuits, de facto has become de jure at many large firms.

By Charles Toutant

6 minute read

July 22, 2002 | New Jersey Law Journal

Courts may enact narrowly tailored restrictions on media interviews of discharged jurors if a compelling state interest is at stake, a divided state Supreme Court rules.

By Charles Toutant

4 minute read

June 16, 2008 | Law.com

The more generous recovery limits of a 2004 revamp of New Jersey workers' compensation death benefits do not apply to workers who died before its enactment, the state Supreme Court ruled on June 9. In four cases consolidated for appeal, the justices unanimously reversed an Appellate Division panel that interpreted the 2004 amendment's phrase that it "shall take effect immediately" to suggest it should be applied to pending cases.

By Charles Toutant

4 minute read

February 03, 2010 | New Jersey Law Journal

A Family Part judge acted improperly in barring post-judgment motions unless settlement attempts failed, a divided appeals court ruled Wednesday.

By Charles Toutant

5 minute read

July 02, 2010 | Law.com

A New Jersey appeals court has upheld the dismissal of a wrongful death action on behalf of a 16-year-old who died when her Jet Ski hit an Ocean City dock. Though the suit sounded in negligent supervision -- a boat ramp attendant failed to check whether the girl had the mandated training -- it was based on the city's failure to enforce an ordinance requiring personal watercraft operators to complete an approved safety course, for which a state torts claim act confers immunity, the court said.

By Charles Toutant

3 minute read

December 27, 2010 | Law.com

A lawyer's motion for reconsideration of an order to pay opposing counsel's legal fees in a fractious franchise dispute was one motion too many, according to a federal judge.

By Charles Toutant

5 minute read

July 19, 2006 | New Jersey Law Journal

New Jersey firms that want to open shop in Pennsylvania are finding it's easier when there's an office already up and running. Acquiring an existing operation - fully staffed, with a nice book of business - is the tactic of choice of two firms that are crossing the Delaware this month.

By Charles Toutant

4 minute read

December 08, 2009 | New Jersey Law Journal

Fixing a loophole not foreseen by the drafters of New Jersey's Affidavit of Merit Statute, the state Supreme Court rules that third-party indemnification claims against professionals may be subject to the act, but only after a professional-negligence claim accrues.

By Charles Toutant

4 minute read

July 12, 2011 | Daily Business Review

A growing number of law firms and companies is committed to offsetting unfair tax treatment faced by employees with same-sex partners.

By Charles Toutant

4 minute read