Capehart Scatchard is pleased to announce that two attorneys were admitted as shareholders of the 150 year old law firm. The new shareholders at Capehart Scatchard are:
Kenneth R. Chiarella – Workers’ Compensation Department
Alexis M. Rose – Workers’ Compensation Department
In honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, the Diversity & Inclusion Committee at Capehart Scatchard partnered with the Food Bank of South Jersey (FBSJ) to support its mission to combat hunger in the region. On January 19, 2026, attorneys and staff volunteered at FBSJ’s headquarters in Pennsauken, New Jersey, assisting with the collection, inspection, sorting, and packaging of food for distribution to individuals and families in need. Volunteers also donated food items collected from firm employees to further supplement the Food Bank’s supplies.
The Food Bank of South Jersey is dedicated to providing immediate solutions to hunger by distributing food to those in need, promoting nutritious eating, and helping individuals and families find sustainable paths toward self-sufficiency. For more information on the Food Bank of South Jersey, please visit https://foodbanksj.org/.
PHOTO L to R: Dillon DiGuglielmo, Jason Sikoryak, Tania Parra, TJ Bauersachs, Ana-Eliza Bauersachs (Chair, Diversity & Inclusion Committee), Jennifer Haddon, Robert Steere, Alexandra Escobedo, and Evan Kerstetter
Capehart Scatchard is pleased to announce that effective January 1, 2026, Laura M. Danks will assume the role of Executive Director of the firm. Ms. Danks will succeed Mary Ellen Rose, who retired from the firm at the end of 2025, following a distinguished career marked by exceptional leadership and service.
Ms. Danks joined Capehart Scatchard as an associate in 2005 and has been a valued member of the firm for two decades. She is a shareholder in the Commercial Litigation Department, where she focuses her practice on both general litigation and commercial litigation matters.
Ms. Danks received her Juris Doctor degree from Marquette University and holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Kansas. She is admitted to practice law in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Wisconsin.
Capehart Scatchard looks forward to Ms. Danks’ leadership as the firm enters its next chapter and celebrates its 150th anniversary, a milestone that reflects a century and a half of service, integrity, and excellence.
After decades of trusted service to clients and the legal community, Capehart Scatchard announces the retirement of shareholders Stephen T. Fannon and Mary Ellen Rose, marking the conclusion of distinguished legal careers that together span more than 80 years of service to the firm.
Steve joined the firm in 1979 as a summer law clerk while attending the University of Pennsylvania Law School and has been with the firm ever since. A member of the firm’s Workers’ Compensation Department, he held numerous leadership roles including Co-Chair of the Workers’ Compensation Department and member of the Executive Committee.
Over the years, Steve became a highly respected authority in New Jersey workers’ compensation law and a valued mentor whose guidance and generosity have shaped the careers of many attorneys within the department.
Mary Ellen joined the firm in 1987 after attending Rutgers University School of Law in Camden. A member of the firm’s Banking & Finance and Litigation Departments, she concentrated her practice on commercial and business law, transportation, and franchise law. Throughout her career, she held numerous leadership roles including Chair of the Franchise Practice Group, Hiring Shareholder for more than a decade, and Managing Shareholder beginning in 2015.
As the firm’s first female Managing Shareholder, and at the time the only woman leading one of News Jersey’s largest law firms, Mary Ellen set a powerful example of leadership and excellence. She guided the firm with steadiness and resolve through the unprecedented challenges of the COVID-19 years and was a source of strength and reassurance for colleagues and clients alike. Her leadership and dedication have left a lasting legacy that will continue to shape the firm for years to come.
Capehart Scatchard, P.A. mourns the loss of our beloved former Managing Shareholder and cherished friend, Peter S. Bejsiuk, who passed away on December 18, 2025.
Peter joined Capehart Scatchard in 1985 and retired from the firm in 2016. He was a graduate of Washington University School of Law and clerked for the Hon. Paul Lowengrub, Superior Court of New Jersey in Camden. Throughout his distinguished career at Capehart, Peter held numerous leadership roles, including member of the Executive Committee, Chair of the Business and Finance Department, and Managing Shareholder from 2001-2014. He also served as Chair of the Banking Law Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association from 2000-2002.
Peter represented the very best of our firm’s values through both his character and his conduct. A trusted mentor and colleague, he approached every relationship with generosity, respect, and genuine care. Known for his quick wit and sharp sense of humor, Peter brought warmth and laughter to the workplace, creating an environment where people felt supported and inspired. Working alongside Peter was not only a privilege, but a true joy.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Peter’s family and friends. A link to his obituary can be found here.
Capehart Scatchard is pleased to announce that Laurel B. Peltzman has rejoined the firm as a shareholder in its Employment & Labor Department, based in the Mt. Laurel office.
Ms. Peltzman previously practiced with Capehart Scatchard from 2010 to 2018, then continued her employment law practice at two local firms before joining Rutgers University’s Office of Employment Equity, where she handled employee disability, religious, and pregnancy accommodations and compliance matters.
Ms. Peltzman focuses her practice on the representation of public and private sector employers in the areas of labor, employment, and civil rights law matters, including workplace investigations, discrimination and retaliation claims, and collective bargaining matters.
Ms. Peltzman earned her Juris Doctor from Rutgers University School of Law in Camden, where she served as Submissions Editor of the Rutgers Journal of Law and Public Policy. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice and Sociology from Rutgers University in New Brunswick. Ms. Peltzman is admitted to practice law in New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Capehart Scatchard is proud to announce its inclusion in the 2026 edition of the Best Law Firms®, earning metropolitan recognition in four practice areas.
Metropolitan Rankings – New Jersey
Tier 1
Tier 2
Tier 3
Law firms included on the list are recognized for professional excellence with consistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. The rankings are determined through a rigorous evaluation process that includes client and lawyer feedback, peer review from other attorneys, and analysis of additional information provided by the firms themselves.
Best Law Firms is published by Best Lawyers®.
No aspect of this advertisement has been submitted to or approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. For a description of the selection methodology please click here.
On November 5, 2025, Ryan R. Slocum, an associate in the firm’s Workers’ Compensation Department, presented a Continuing Legal Education (CLE ) session titled ”An Overview of Tribal Law and Tribal Rights in New Jersey.” The CLE was hosted by the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee, of which Mr. Slocum is a member.
Mr. Slocum began his presentation with an overview of the interplay between tribal courts and state and federal courts. He continued with a discussion on the background on the two state recognized Native American tribes in New Jersey, including their history and current traditions. The session ended with a discussion on recent legal cases involving the tribes and the State.
Mr. Slocum earned his J.D. from Rutgers Law School in Camden and a B.A. in English from Rutgers University. Upon graduation from law school, he worked as a law clerk to the Honorable John J. Burke, III, J.S.C. in Burlington County. Mr. Slocum is admitted to practice law in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He is currently serving his second term as a Trustee of the Burlington County Bar Association.
Photo: Ryan Slocum
Capehart Scatchard is pleased to announce that Ryan Slocum, an associate in the firm’s Workers’ Compensation Department, volunteered his time at a free expungement clinic held as part of the Burlington County Bar Association’s Day of Service. The event took place on October 23, 2025, at the John F. Kennedy Recreation Center in Willingboro, NJ.
During the clinic, Mr. Slocum met with New Jersey residents to guide them through the often complex process of expunging non-violent offenses from their criminal records. Clearing these records can open doors to employment, housing, and professional licensing opportunities and helps individuals move forward with a fresh start.
Mr. Slocum earned his J.D. from Rutgers Law School in Camden and a B.A. in English from Rutgers University. Upon graduation from law school, he worked as a law clerk to the Honorable John J. Burke, III, J.S.C. in Burlington County. Mr. Slocum is admitted to practice law in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He is currently serving his second term as a Trustee of the Burlington County Bar Association.
Photo: Vincent T. Cieslik
Shareholder Vincent Cieslik of Capehart Scatchard joined community leaders and public employees for a day of camaraderie and golf at the 22nd Annual Camden County Public Works and Employee Connections’ Golf Tournament, held on October 15, 2025, at Valleybrook Country Club in Gloucester Township, NJ.
The firm was honored to serve as a Silver Sponsor of the event. Proceeds from the tournament support vital local initiatives, including the Camden County Public Works Annual Food Drive for families in need, The Larc School, and programs assisting individuals in long-term addiction recovery.
