Firm News

Sheila M. Mints, Esq., chair of Capehart Scatchard’s Cannabis Law Group was recently interviewed by Marianne Aleardi of SJ Magazine. Ms. Mints answered questions about New Jersey’s cannabis industry.

Summer Cordasco was the recipient of the 23rd Annual Blaine E. Capehart Legal Writing Award, sponsored by the law firm of Capehart Scatchard. The award recipient will graduate from Rutgers Law School in Camden on May 18, 2022.

The firm awarded Ms. Cordasco with a $2,500 prize in recognition of her exemplary legal writing and research abilities.  This award is offered to a graduating Rutgers law student on an annual basis in honor of the late Blaine E. Capehart.

Ms. Cordasco’s piece, “Raising the Bar: Why New Jersey Should Reconsider Its Mental Health Inquiries on the Bar Exam,” was nominated for the award by Katie Eyer, Professor of Law at Rutgers Law School.  Professor Eyer had this to say about the winning paper:  “The invasive mental health questions that New Jersey and many other bar jurisdictions ask deter law students from seeking needed mental health treatment. In this excellently researched and written paper, Summer explains why this is wrong both as a matter of policy, and as a matter of civil rights law under the ADA.  At a time when many jurisdictions are reevaluating the fairness and equity of their bar admissions process, Summer’s work provides critical insights into how states can ensure that their bar exam processes do not unnecessarily burden and exclude lawyers with mental health disabilities.”

PHOTO: Lora Northen, Esq., (far left) and Nicholas Dibble, Esq., (far right) 

Capehart Scatchard Shareholders, Lora Northen, Esq. and  Nicholas Dibble, Esq., spoke at the National Workers’ Compensation Defense Network’s (NWCDN) Regional Spring Conference held at the Hilton Philadelphia at Penn’s Landing on April 28, 2022.

In addition to serving as co-moderator of the one-day conference, Ms. Northen served as moderator in a panel discussion entitled, “The Dos and Don’ts of Handling Claims – An Interactive Discussion with a Panel of Industry Experts.” The panelists, all claims and safety managers from large corporations, shared their experience with initiating claims and communicating with injured workers.  They also provided insight on what to expect of your counsel, medical providers, vendors, and key communication points.

Mr. Dibble served as moderator in a candid discussion with Robert Wilson, President & CEO of Workerscompensation.com, LLC.  Mr. Wilson shared his thoughts on how the workers’ compensation industry changed (and has not changed) in the past two years and what to expect going forward.  Additionally, he discussed the “great tsunami” of pending retirements as well as how companies can address the staffing issues currently facing third party administrators, staffing agencies and the industry as a whole.

Ms. Northen, past president of NWCDN, focuses her practice in the representation of employers, self-insured companies, and insurance carriers.  Certified as a trial attorney by the Supreme Court of New Jersey in Workers’ Compensation Law, Ms. Northen is a member of the New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Burlington County and Camden County Bar Associations.  Ms. Northen is also a Fellow of the College of Workers’ Compensation Attorneys for the American Bar Association.

Mr. Dibble represents insurance carriers and employers in the defense of workers’ compensation claims at all stages of litigation. He received his law degree from Rutgers Law School in Camden and his B.A. degree in Political Science from Haverford College. Upon law school graduation, Mr. Dibble worked as a judicial law clerk to the Honorable Benjamin C. Telsey, Superior Court of New Jersey, in Bridgeton, NJ.

On April 12, 2022, a panel of Capehart Scatchard attorneys presented a CLE entitled, “Celebrating Black History: Civil Rights, Voting Rights, and Black Health.”  Shareholders, Ana-Eliza Bauersachs and Sanmathi “Sanu” Dev, served as moderators for the CLE hosted by the Diversity & Inclusion Committee at the firm.

The panel, comprised of Shareholders, Ashley Fiore, Sheila Mints, and Lora Northen, and Associate, Natasha Sawh, presented an overview of critical events in the Civil Rights Movement resulting in legislative action.  The panel also discussed how pending state and federal voting rights legislation could impact the Black community.  The CLE wrapped up with an exchange on concerns regarding Black Health and a discussion on ways to improve Black Health and Healthcare.

For the past month, the Diversity & Inclusion Committee at Capehart Scatchard collected monetary donations as well as donations of medical supplies and toiletries to show support for the people of Ukraine.  Beth Hopkins, the firm’s Marketing Director, who is of Ukrainian descent, spearheaded the effort.

On April 14, 2022, Ms. Hopkins delivered all the proceeds and items donated by the attorneys and staff at the firm to the United Ukrainian American Relief Committee, Inc. (UUARC) in Philadelphia, PA.   With millions of potential victims in Ukraine, UUARC is fundraising to provide vital medical supplies to victims, care for the injured and refugees, as well as provide shelter and food to those affected.

Capehart Scatchard proudly announces that Commercial Litigation Department Associate, Stacey R. Gorin, Esq., has been selected to receive the prestigious Young Lawyer of the Year award, presented annually by the New Jersey State Bar Association’s (NJSBA) Young Lawyer Division.  Ms. Gorin will receive the award at a ceremony to be held during the NJSBA’s Annual Meeting and Convention on May 19, 2022.

To be eligible for the award, candidates must be a member of the NJSBA who has been practicing law for 10 years or less or who is under the age of 36. The award is presented to a young lawyer whose combined personal and professional achievements over the past year merit special recognition, and who made significant community and public service contributions, actively participated in the organized bar, and stood out in the areas of professional knowledge, skill, integrity, and courtesy.

Ms. Gorin has distinguished herself with her devotion to serving her community and involvement in bar association activities.  She currently serves as a Trustee to the Burlington County Bar Association (BCBA) and is an active member of the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee and the Rutgers Law Alumni Association.  Ms. Gorin is a recognized leader having earned the BCBA’s Robert Criscuolo Award in 2020 and spearheading programmatic endeavors resulting in the growth of the association’s membership and engagement.

Ms. Gorin earned her J.D. from Rutgers Law School in Camden, a M.A. in Professional and Business Communication from La Salle University, and a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Saint Joseph’s University.  Upon law school graduation, she worked as a law clerk to the Honorable Richard J. Nocella, P.J.F.P. in Burlington County.  She is admitted to practice law in New Jersey and New York.

On March 29, 2022, Capehart Scatchard associate, Stacey R. Gorin Esq., served as the co-moderator for a remote CLE hosted by the Burlington County Bar Association’s Wellness Committee and Young Lawyers Committee.  Ms. Gorin serves as a Trustee of the Burlington County Bar Association. The idea for this CLE came from the Young Lawyers Committee meeting after the sudden death of Miss USA Cheslie Kryst, who herself was also a young lawyer.

The CLE, entitled “Mental Health for Lawyers,” featured a discussion on the signs of hopelessness, depression, and suicide in the legal profession and what to do about it.  Additionally, there was a discussion on employee rights in the workplace when it comes to reasonable accommodations and paid time off for dealing with mental health issues.

Ms. Gorin, an associate in the Commercial Litigation Department, earned her J.D. from Rutgers Law School in Camden, a M.A. in Professional and Business Communication from La Salle University, and a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Saint Joseph’s University.  Upon law school graduation, she worked as a law clerk to the Honorable Richard J. Nocella, P.J.F.P. in Burlington County.  She is admitted to practice law in New Jersey and New York.

On March 9, 2022, Capehart Scatchard attorneys, Stacey R. Gorin, Esq.  and Sanmathi (Sanu) Dev, Esq., participated remotely in the second annual Q&A panel with judicial law clerks from the Burlington County Superior Court.  The Q&A, sponsored by the Burlington County Bar Association (BCBA), was designed to give the law clerks an opportunity to speak with lawyers in various types of legal positions about their career paths and legal practice areas.  Members of the BCBA’s Young Lawyers Committee were recognized by the American Bar Association as Stars of the Spring Quarter in 2021 for creating the first Q&A panel event held last year.

Ms. Gorin, who is a BCBA Trustee and Co-Chair of the Young Lawyers Committee of the BCBA, served as moderator for the Q&A.  Ms. Dev, the firm’s Hiring Shareholder and Co-Chair of the BCBA’s Diversity Inclusion and Leadership Committee, answered questions regarding her work as an education attorney and offered resume and interview advice from her standpoint as an employer in the hiring process.

Ms. Gorin, an associate in the Commercial Litigation Department, earned her J.D. from Rutgers Law School in Camden, a M.A. in Professional and Business Communication from La Salle University, and a B.S. degree in Business Administration from Saint Joseph’s University.  Upon law school graduation, she worked as a law clerk to the Honorable Richard J. Nocella, P.J.F.P. in Burlington County.  She is admitted to practice law in New Jersey.

Ms. Dev concentrates her practice on school law and labor and employment law.  She is experienced in representing, advising, and defending boards of education and charter schools in all areas of school law including: labor and employment, special education, Section 504, student discipline and civil rights.  Ms. Dev is the Chair of the Firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, which seeks to facilitate the Firm’s efforts to achieve and maintain a diverse and inclusive workplace at every level of our organization.   Upon graduation from Rutgers Law School, she worked as a law clerk to the Honorable Ronald E. Bookbinder, A.J.S.C. (ret.) in Burlington County.

PHOTO: Stacey R. Gorin (Top Left) and Sanmathi (Sanu) Dev (Second from left)

Capehart Scatchard Shareholder, Sanmathi (Sanu) Dev, helped high school students learn about law school and the legal profession at the Third Annual High School Pre-Law Diversity Symposium.  The event, co-hosted by the Rutgers Law School Minority Student Program, Take a Chance on Law, and the Rutgers Alumni for Diversity, Inclusion, Community-Building & Access in Law, was held virtually on March 5, 2022.

The Pre-Law Diversity Symposium seeks to encourage high schools students of diverse backgrounds to consider a career in law.  Ms. Dev served as a coach during a mock trial exercise.  Additionally, she spoke to the students about law careers in private practice and what it’s like to be a lawyer.

Ms. Dev concentrates her practice on school law and labor and employment law.  She is experienced in representing, advising, and defending boards of education and charter schools in all areas of school law including: labor and employment, special education, Section 504, student discipline and civil rights.  She leads Capehart Scatchard’s School Law Blog, which focuses on cases, court decisions, and current developments affecting education law in the state of New Jersey.  Ms. Dev is the Chair of the Firm’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, which seeks to facilitate the Firm’s efforts to achieve and maintain a diverse and inclusive workplace at every level of our organization.   Ms. Dev also serves as the Firm’s Hiring Shareholder.

Lauren E. Tedesco, Esq., a Shareholder in Capehart’s School and Labor & Employment Groups, recently made an appearance on RVN TV’s “Legal Breakdown” program hosted by Erin Brueche, Esq.  On the show, Lauren shared her experiences as a practicing education law attorney, explained common issues school districts face every day and discussed the impact of COVID-19 on education.