Full Service Law Firm in Mt. Laurel Township, NJ | Capehart Scatchard

Firm News

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

  • Education Law

Tier 2

  • Litigation – Insurance

Tier 3

  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • Health Care Law

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.

Capehart Scatchard Shareholder, Andrea L. Schlafer, Esq., was a panelist at a seminar presented at the National Workers’ Compensation Defense Network’s (“NWCDN”) Annual Conference in Chicago on September 25, 2025.

Ms. Schlafer spoke at a statewide legal discussion focused on key issues in New Jersey wage and temporary disability law. She discussed the impact of non-compliance with medical treatment on an injured worker’s entitlement to temporary total disability (TTD) benefits. Additionally, she addressed issues with 26-week wage statements in determining proper TTD compensation.

The NWCDN is a network of law firms dedicated to protecting employers in workers’ compensation cases in 45 states and Canada. Ms. Schlafer currently serves as a board member of the organization.

Ms. Schlafer represents insurance carriers in the defense of workers’ compensation claims at all stages of litigation. She received her law degree from Rutgers Law School in Camden and her B.S. degree in Business Administration and Finance from the College of Charleston, cum laude. Upon law school graduation, Ms. Schlafer worked as a law clerk to the Honorable Kevin T. Smith, in the New Jersey Superior Court, Gloucester County Vicinage.

Pictured Below L to R: Capehart Scatchard attorneys Andrea Schlafer and Nicholas Dibble.

Attorneys from Capehart Scatchard’s Workers’ Compensation Department recently hit the greens for a great cause at the 4th Annual Kids’ Chance of New Jersey Golf Outing. Held on September 29, 2025, at Scotland Run Golf Club in Williamstown, New Jersey, the firm proudly served as the event’s Sign Sponsor.

The outing raised more than $35,000 in support of Kids’ Chance of New Jersey, an organization dedicated to providing scholarships for college and vocational education to children of New Jersey workers who have been fatally or catastrophically injured in a work-related accident.

Photo L to R: Alexis Rose, Brian Berkoff, Evan Kerstetter, and Michael Rose.

 

Capehart Scatchard is proud to congratulate Karen V. Vincent, a Shareholder in the firm’s Workers’ Compensation Department, on successfully completing the 2025 BMW Berlin Marathon on September 21, 2025. Running in record-breaking heat, Ms. Vincent crossed the finish line strongly, raising more than $2,500 for WellChild, a UK-based charity dedicated to supporting seriously ill children and their families.

This marks Ms. Vincent’s second marathon in just 21 days, as well as her fourth completed World Marathon Major and fourth Abbott World Marathon Majors Star. This is a remarkable achievement reflecting both athletic endurance and personal commitment.

A respected leader in workers’ compensation law, Ms. Vincent brings over twenty years of litigation experience to her practice. She represents employers, self-insured companies, and insurance carriers in workers’ compensation defense matters. Her dedication to advocacy extends beyond the courtroom, as demonstrated by her continued support of charitable causes.

Ms. Vincent earned her J.D. from Widener University School of Law and a B.A degree from Colorado State University. She is a member of the American Bar Association, New Jersey State Bar Association, Association of Trial Lawyers of America, Justice James H. Coleman, Jr. Inn of Court, and New Jersey Association for Justice. She is admitted to practice law in New Jersey and the United States Supreme Court.

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