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  • Law Firm Restructures as Goodgold West Diaz Maitlin & Klein

    Millburn, NJ, February 16, 2023 – The members of Maitlin Maitlin Goodgold Brass & Bennett announce the restructuring and rebranding of the firm to Goodgold West Diaz Maitlin & Klein LLC. The full service law firm, located in Millburn, NJ, provides general legal services as well as specialized expertise in various practice areas including: complex litigation, business litigation, insurance coverage and subrogation, personal injury, collections, criminal, professional licensing boards representation, matrimonial, guardianship, employment law, trusts and estates, residential and commercial real estate and corporate transactional work.

    The firm is led by co-managing members, Jonathan S. Goodgold and Doni R. Feinberg. Other members are Dean T. Bennett, David E. Maitlin, Richard West and Scott Gorman. Robert J. Brass is of counsel with the firm and Harris Podvey is the chief operating officer.

    “Our newly branded firm will provide the attention and expertise our clients deserve and come to expect throughout our representation,” said Feinberg. “We consider ourselves ‘lawyers for people’ meaning that we will represent your interests personally and in business – essentially being your general counsel.”

    Jonathan Goodgold added, “We are excited to be able to take this next step in the evolution of our law firm. Goodgold West Diaz Maitlin & Klein promises to continue to bring the same level of legal expertise and availability that our clients need and expect from a full-service law firm. This is just the first step of GFB’s anticipated growth as we look forward to bringing additional practice areas and skilled attorneys to meet our clients’ demands now and into the future.”

    Goodgold West Diaz Bennett & Klein LLC is located at 33 Bleeker St, Suite 210, Millburn NJ. Phone – 973-544-0800.

  • Daniel Valverde: Spring 2023 Social Justice Scholarship Winner

    Daniel Valverde: Spring 2023 Social Justice Scholarship Winner

    Daniel’s Winning Essay:

    Daniel Valverde: Spring 2023 Scholarship Winner | The Law Offices of Andrew Dressel LLC

    My experience with progressive social justice consists of developing more affordable housing. As a way to reverse injustices of racial and economic disparities that continue to hurt various communities. Through my professional experiences in affordable housing, I quickly noticed the lack of diverse representation in the field.  I observed the detrimental effects of city planning and policy decisions that have hurt marginalized communities.  Due to the lack of affordable housing, there is a growing number of long-time residents experiencing displacement, which also attributes to the public health crisis of a growing number of individuals experiencing homelessness.

    After earning my Undergraduate degree, I decided to pursue a career in public policy. Post-graduation from UC Davis, I was granted the opportunity to intern at the Housing Leadership Council of San Mateo (HLC). I was later offered a full-time position as an Organizer. HLC is a non-profit organization that advocates for affordable housing developments and policies, which is where I discovered how politicized housing issues have become. Although I thoroughly enjoyed my time at HLC, as a visual learner, I felt that I needed to gain an additional understanding of housing, which led to my employment transition into a Junior Real Estate Development Manager (Assistant Project Manager) with Visionary Home Builders of California, Inc. (VHB).

    Working with VHB, a nonprofit developer located in Stockton, California had assisted me in understanding how affordable housing development is built. VHB developments were centered around family housing. However, my interests included developing for seniors, people with special needs, and Veterans. After two years with VHB, I had transitioned into my current position at Jamboree Housing Corporation, where I am performing similar roles, assisting the Senior Director and Project Managers with tasks necessary to acquire, finance, design, entitle, construct, and occupy affordable housing projects.

    I am currently enrolled in a Master’s in Public Administration program from the University of San Francisco. This program will further prepare me for public leadership by the challenging curriculum and applying this to aspects of the real world. Through my current and previous work experiences, I have realized how innovative partnerships between private, public, and non-profit sectors can help build housing and bring services to residents and the surrounding communities, which allows for equitable access to services for low-income residents. By obtaining this degree, I will have gained skills and abilities to be a leader within this career in learning areas of strategizing and implementing policies that will alleviate the displacement of current and long-term residents in the community and building more housing.

  • How Bankruptcy Can Give You a “Fresh Start”

    judge gavel with client consult lawyer lawsuit bankruptcy of herManaging personal finances today has continued to be very challenging for many people. With higher rates of unemployment, skyrocketing housing costs, and an overall increase in the cost of living, finding ways to keep up is quite difficult. For those that are looking for a fresh start, declaring bankruptcy can be a good option. For those wondering what happens after bankruptcy, declaring bankruptcy with the support of a Millburn bankruptcy attorney can provide various benefits that will offer a fresh start.

    Fresh Start With Bankruptcy

    If you are struggling to manage your personal finances and feel as if you are trapped in debt, declaring bankruptcy can be the best way to move forward. This can be done in a number of ways.

    Discharge Your Debt

    One of the ways you can receive a fresh start when you declare bankruptcy is by having some of your debt discharged. Credit cards, personal loans, auto loans, and even mortgages can be significant financial obligations that can be hard to repay if you have fallen behind. Fortunately, when you declare bankruptcy, you can have these debts discharged completely.

    For those wondering what happens after bankruptcy discharge, the qualified debts will be completely eliminated, and you may not be obligated to repay them in some situations. How each individual debt is managed will be based on the determination of the bankruptcy court, but it typically results in the elimination of many personal unsecured debts.

    Stop Collection Actions

    If you have ever started to fall behind on making any type of payment to a creditor, you will be very familiar with their processes. This will typically include sending you threatening letters, making collection phone calls, and taking other drastic steps to collect this debt. This can end up causing a lot of stress and aggravation. Fortunately, when you declare bankruptcy, these collection attempts will stop almost immediately. Once formally declared, the creditors will be notified, and these collection attempts should stop.

    Protect Assets

    One of the concerns that people will have with declaring bankruptcy is that they may need to give up all of their assets. While it is true that some of your assets will go to pay off creditors, you are able to protect many of your assets. Some assets that you can keep include your home if you are current with a mortgage, your car, retirement plans, and retirement savings accounts.

    Eliminate Certain Obligations

    One of the main benefits of filing for bankruptcy is that you can have certain obligations eliminated completely. Any loan that you have that is unsecured will likely be eliminated. This can include personal loans, credit card debt, or medical bills. The amount eliminated can be offset by any assets that are liquidated.

    Recover a Good Credit Score

    A concern that you may have with bankruptcy is that it can damage your credit score. While it is true that it will be hurtful, you can receive credit repair after bankruptcy. There are various strategies you can follow that can help to improve your credit, even if you have declared bankruptcy. Eventually, you will once again qualify to take out credit cards or loans.

    How Goodgold West & Bennett Can Help

    If you are in the Millburn, NJ area and are considering filing for bankruptcy, it is always advisable that you have legal support by your side. There are a lot of legal complexities that come with filing for either Chapter 7 or 13 bankruptcy.

    When you hire an attorney, they will first provide a full consultation on your case to determine if this is the right financial decision for your situation. They can then ensure that all bankruptcy paperwork is processed correctly, all creditors are notified, and the proper debts are expunged. They can also handle any negotiations with creditors and the bankruptcy court, which will help ensure you receive a fair outcome.

    When you are looking for a bankruptcy attorney in Millburn, NJ, it would be a great idea to call the team of Goodgold West & Bennett LLC. We are an experienced bankruptcy law firm that has helped many clients receive the fresh start they deserve. Give Goodgold West & Bennett LLC a call today to learn more about how we can help you.

  • Affordable Housing Advocate Wins The Law Offices of Andrew Dressel LLC’s Spring 2023 Social Justice Scholarship

    Affordable Housing Advocate Wins The Law Offices of Andrew Dressel LLC’s Spring 2023 Social Justice Scholarship

    Affordable Housing Advocate Wins Dressel/Malikschmitt’s Spring 2023 Social Justice Scholarship

    We are pleased to announce the winner of our Spring 2023 Social Justice Scholarship is Daniel Valverde, a student in the Masters of Public Administration program at University of San Francisco. Valverde’s studies focus on the equitable development of affordable housing.

    In his application, Valverde stressed that his previous work experience had “helped me understand how land-use planning and decisions are vital to future sustainability, population, and economic growth for communities. But it is also important to be mindful to implement land use policies that will make communities equitable and inclusive for all community members.”

    Valverde’s focus on bridging the gap between scholarly research and the real-world is what made Daniel’s scholarship application stand out to firm founders Andrew Dressel and Chris Malikschmitt.

    “We always say education is the foundation from which change is built,” said Andrew Dressel. “When it comes to affordable housing policy, we mean that literally. The research Daniel is doing could have a huge impact on communities across the country.”

    “We are proud to support Daniel in his studies,” added Chris Malikschmitt. “We share his passion for making the world a better place.”

    Valverde received a $1,000 scholarship from The Law Offices of Andrew Dressel LLC for the Spring 2023 semester. This is the third time the firm has awarded this scholarship, and it plans to continue doing so. Students interested in applying for the Fall 2023 award should visit stag.webx.win/scholarship.

  • Pending Legislation Would Unsilence Victims Of Workplace Abuse

    Pending Legislation Would Unsilence Victims Of Workplace Abuse

    One of the foundational goals of the #MeToo movement was encouraging the victims of workplace abuse and harassment to speak up so everyone would be aware how pervasive of a problem it is. However, many victims of employment discrimination are barred from telling their story by non-disclosure agreements signed as part of a lawsuit settlement or severance package. 

    In order to give victims a voice, the New Jersey Legislature passed a law banning the use of non-disclosure agreements in cases involving certain workplace issues, like harassment and retaliation. Since the law went into effect in 2019, victims have been able to speak out about what happened to them… or so everyone thought.  

    This summer, a New Jersey Appellate Court ruled the 2019 law banning non-disclosure agreements does not cover non-disparagement clauses. The ruling in Savage v. Township of Neptune, 472 N.J. Super. 291, created a lot of confusion in the employment law world. Victims are upset, and employers who want to quietly settle sexual harassment suits are rushing to do so while they have a way to keep them quiet. But perhaps nobody was more shocked by the court’s decision than the legislators who drafted the 2019 law. 

    As a law firm that handles a lot of employment law disputes for small to mid-sized companies in central New Jersey, The Law Offices of Andrew Dressel LLC has been keeping a close eye on these developments.  

    What’s Happening Now?

    The latest action in this area is once again on the legislative front. In a direct response to the opinion in Savage, New Jersey lawmakers introduced A4521, which would clarify that the current law on non-disclosure provisions also prohibits certain non-disparagement provisions in employment contracts and settlement agreements.  

    This sort of swift, targeted response to the courts is unusual, and highlights the importance of this issue.  

    Right now, the bill is sitting in the Senate Labor Committee waiting on a hearing. It passed the Assembly in a landslide with 59 members voting yes, 9 no’s, and 4 abstentions. 8 members did not vote.  

    If passed into law, this legislation would become effective immediately, and apply to “all contracts and agreements entered into, renewed, modified, or amended on or after the effective date.”  

    A Few Other Changes To Note

    We also want to note that the bill “removes a provision of current law that provides that the prohibition on non-disclosure agreements does not apply to the terms of any collective bargaining agreement between an employer and the collective bargaining representative of the employees.” And “permits mediation or arbitration clauses to be included in an employment contract that is a result of a collectively bargained agreement for claims related to discrimination, retaliation, or harassment.” Unlike the outright ban on non-disparagement provisions, these changes won’t impact every employer. But larger employers who have collective bargaining agreements with their employees should be aware of this potential update.  

    And for anyone concerned that the bill’s broad language allowing employees to speak freely about their past employment could create some problems when there is a non-compete agreement in place, the drafters thought of that. The legislation states: 

    Notwithstanding any other provision of law to the contrary, this section shall not be construed to prohibit an employer from requiring an employee to sign an agreement: 

         (1)   in which the employee agrees not to enter into competition with the employer during or after employment; or 

         (2)   in which the employee agrees not to disclose proprietary information, which includes only non-public trade secrets, business plan and customer information. 

    However, as we noted in a previous blog post, the New Jersey Legislature is taking steps the significantly limit the use of non-compete agreements, so this might end up being a non-issue. 

    Contact The Law Offices of Andrew Dressel LLC Today for Advice on Employment Contracts and Settlement Agreements

    Any New Jersey employer that includes language limiting the ability of current and former employees from speaking out about their job should take note of this pending legislation, and consider how they want to react if it becomes law.  

    New Jersey businesses have relied on non-disclosure and non-disparagement clauses for decades as a way to protect their assets and encourage the quick settlement of employment disputes. Taking away this tool without considering what other means might be used to accomplish these goals is risky.  

    The Law Offices of Andrew Dressel LLC is advising a number of businesses in New Jersey and beyond as they consider whether to make changes to their existing employment documents. Please contact our experienced team of attorneys to schedule a meeting if this is a topic we can assist you with.  

  • How To Recognize the Signs of Domestic Violence

    human trafficking,domestic violence rapeDomestic violence can affect people from all backgrounds, genders, and walks of life.

    According to the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence, approximately 10 million men and women are victims of domestic violence in the United States each year. That equates to approximately 20 people per minute. Whether you’re a victim yourself or suspect someone you know is dealing with this important issue, it’s vital to know the signs of domestic violence to get the help needed.

    In addition to legal intervention and counseling, you may also need the help of a domestic violence attorney in New Jersey like Goodgold West & Bennett LLC, to help you with your case.

    Signs of Domestic Violence

    Not all domestic violence is physical. The most common signs include violence, aggression, and signs of controlling behavior shown toward a current or former intimate partner or a household member.

    While women are more commonly victims of domestic abuse, it can also affect men.

    Domestic violence signs aren’t always obvious, so it’s important to know what to look for. The issue doesn’t just affect spouses, either. Many elderly adults are victims of domestic violence from their adult children, other household members, or care providers.

    Not only is domestic violence prohibited by federal law, but it’s also illegal in New Jersey. Consider hiring a Millburn family law attorney if you need assistance.

    Some of the physical signs of domestic violence to recognize are the following –

    • Visible bruises, cuts, or broken bones resulting from a fight or scuffle
    • Threats against a partner or household member with a weapon
    • Punching, slapping, kicking, biting, or pulling hair
    • Physically holding someone against their will
    • Destroying or damaging someone’s vehicle, home, or personal belongings

    You can also recognize domestic violence signs in psychological and emotional aspects, including:

    • Stalking either in person, over the phone, or via the Internet
    • Financial abuse, such as restricting access to money or identity theft
    • Extreme jealousy and possessive behavior
    • Embarrassing a partner or family member in public using insults or other cruel behavior
    • Anger issues, such as a volatile personality and frequent outbursts

    If you or you know someone dealing with domestic violence at home, it’s important to have an escape plan. Always call 911 or go to the nearest police station if you or someone are in immediate danger, and take your children and/or any pets with you.

    If you’re not currently in immediate danger, contacting resources that can offer help is vital. Those who are afraid of their spouse or another household member are likely already being victimized. The sooner you can get help and develop a viable plan.

    Friends and family members of domestic violence victims can also seek help for their loved ones. Talk to your friend or family member and express your concerns. Come up with a safety plan including:

    • Offering resources about where the person can get help for domestic violence
    • Discuss where the victim will go in the event of an emergency
    • Agree on how and where the person can obtain emergency funds
    • Give the victim a list of trusted people they can reach out to if they need help

    Seek a Domestic Violence Attorney in New Jersey for Help

    If you or someone you know is a victim of domestic abuse, hiring a domestic violence attorney in New Jersey is a smart first step.

    At Goodgold West & Bennett LLC, we specialize in family law, including cases related to domestic violence. Whether you’re dealing with harassment, assault, criminal mischief, or any other form of aggressive behavior inflicted by a partner, spouse, or family member, we can help. Our extensive experience obtaining temporary and permanent restraining orders can help protect you against further violence.

    As a highly experienced Millburn family law attorney firm, we try cases on behalf of men and women who have been victims of domestic violence. We also defend those who are accused of committing domestic violence. Our team has years of experience representing victims of domestic violence from all backgrounds in courts throughout New Jersey.

    If you’re a domestic violence victim or you know someone who is, it’s important to seek legal help as soon as possible. Be sure to contact Goodgold West & Bennett LLC for a consultation today.

  • Is It Too Late for a Post-Nuptial Agreement?

    legal document postnuptial agreement on paper with penAlthough many couples pursue pre-nuptial agreements to divide assets and legally settle other arrangements, it’s (almost) never too late to solidify “who gets what” in the event of a divorce on a legal document. Since it’s a legal document, you’ll want a Millburn family law attorney if you live in the Millburn, NJ region.

    Post-nuptial Agreements are a popular activity for married couples who may want to either update a pre-nuptial agreement or create a document outlining their agreed division of assets in the event of divorce without a pre-nuptial agreement in place.

    If you or your spouse are seeking qualified legal representation in NJ for a post-nuptial, don’t hesitate to call Goodgold West & Bennett LLC, one of the best Millburn family attorneys.

    It’s Not Too Late for a Post-Nuptial Agreement

    When it comes to a post-nuptial agreement in NJ, the law permits any married couple in the state of New Jersey to file for a post-nuptial agreement as long as they meet several requirements. Both spouses must enter a post-nuptial agreement freely of their own accord. They also both require legal counsel for the post-nuptial agreement to be valid.

    Additionally, both spouses must fully disclose their assets in order for the agreement to hold up in divorce court if the marriage ends. A post-nuptial agreement must also have fair and equitable terms, or it may not be approved.

    Why Would a Couple Seek a Post-Nuptial Agreement?

    Couples don’t always opt for a post-nuptial agreement because of problems. Even a blissfully married couple who can’t imagine divorce may choose to get a post-nuptial agreement because of some other reason.

    Often, couples will get a post-nuptial agreement when they’ve had a change in circumstances that drastically affects how they would like to divide assets and tackle other aspects of a divorce.

    Sometimes, after couples have children, they may want to update the post-nuptial agreement to reflect their wishes regarding custody distribution or childcare arrangements in the event of divorce.

    Other times, when the couple’s financial situation changes through one spouse stepping away from the workforce or the other spouse experiencing a salary increase, a post-nuptial agreement may be an important update to a pre-nuptial agreement.

    How Can a Millburn Family Law Attorney Help You?

    Talking about money, assets, wills, and divorce as a married couple can be difficult for even the healthiest, strongest relationships. When couples decide to put a post-nuptial agreement in place, they experience marital problems and want to protect themselves from a murky, messy divorce process.

    Your attorney can play a large role in helping you decide on a post-nuptial agreement and advocating for your interests in the process. An attorney can also help navigate these difficult conversations and keep the discussions focused on the task rather than unproductive tangents. They can also inform your options.

    Unfortunately, some may challenge this kind of agreement in divorce proceedings if it is not handled properly from the start. One spouse may challenge a post-nuptial agreement during the divorce.

    If you are the spouse challenging the agreement, an attorney is a vital advocate to have in your corner. If you are defending the standing agreement, then an attorney is equally important in ensuring that your wishes are respected. The spouse challenging the post-nuptial agreement is more likely to be successful in going against the post-nuptial agreement if the agreement fails to satisfy all of the legal requirements in the first place.

    Naturally, the best way to ensure that the post-nuptial agreement will hold up under the scrutiny of a divorce court judge is by enlisting qualified, experienced legal counsel from the very beginning of the process.

    That is why both spouses must involve qualified legal counsel to assist them with a post-nuptial agreement. An investment in a strong legal team now can prevent losing costly battles down the road if the marriage ends.

    While the post-nuptial process can be an emotional, difficult journey, we’re here to help you every step of the way. Seek help from Goodgold West & Bennett LLC today for legal counsel on your post-nuptial agreement and more.

  • Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

    chapter 7 bankruptcy petition and glassesIf you are wondering what is Chapter 7 bankruptcy, it is known as straight or liquidation bankruptcy, a common form of bankruptcy. It is available to individuals who cannot make regular monthly payments to pay off their debts.

    If you are a business owner, you can file for Chapter 7 bankruptcy as well. The purpose of Chapter 7 bankruptcy is to provide debt relief, whether debtors are solvent or insolvent.

    Benefits of Chapter 7 Bankruptcy

    Here are the advantages of Chapter 7 Bankruptcy you should know about:

    Possibility to Get Rid of Unlimited Debt

    There is no debt limit, which makes it different from Chapter 13, setting limits on secured and unsecured debt. With Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, you can get rid of most consumer debt, including personal loans, credit cards, medical bills, and other types of debt, whether your debt is hundreds or thousands of hundreds.

    You Don’t Have to Deal With Creditors

    Since you can discharge your debt completely, you do not have to deal with creditors. They will not bother you because the judge will implement an automatic stay on creditors once the bankruptcy is filed. As a result, creditors cannot bother you anymore by calling you day and night.

    You Can Keep Your Home

    If you are late with your mortgage payments, you can still stay in your house by filing for Chapter 7 bankruptcy. It does not erase your mortgage debt, but you will be given extra time to manage your finances before a foreclosure filing.

    Chapter 7 Bankruptcy is Fast

    One of the main advantages of this bankruptcy process is that it is fast. It allows you to become debt-free within 100 days. Unlike Chapter 13, you do not have to repay debt for years. As a result, instead of digging the hole deeper, you have a chance to improve your financial situation.

    Court Appearance Might Not Be Required

    In most cases, Chapter 7 bankruptcy does not require a meeting with a bankruptcy judge or court appearances. It allows you to save time and makes the entire bankruptcy process less stressful.

    How To File Chapter 7 Bankruptcy?

    If you are thinking of filing Chapter 7 Bankruptcy, there are certain steps you need to take:

    • Attend counseling. The first step is getting counseling from an approved credit counseling agency. You can do it online or over the phone. You must do counseling within days of filing.
    • Filing forms.When preparing the forms, you need to list creditors, property, exemptions, recent transactions, and other information regarding your finances. Keep in mind that you will have to pay a filing fee. However, depending on your income, there is an option to request a fee waiver.
    • Sending verification documents to your bankruptcy trustee.Your bankruptcy trustee will need to verify your bankruptcy forms, including your tax returns, bank statements, business documents, and paychecks.
    • Attending creditor meetings.The purpose of this meeting is to discuss your paperwork and financial situation and answer important questions.
    • Attending budget counseling. It is the second meeting with an approved counseling agency. It is also important not to forget to submit the certificate of completion to the court. If you do not submit it, the court may close your case.
    • Waiting for a discharge notice. Usually, people receive a discharge notice within 60-75 days after a creditor meeting.

    How Can a Chapter 7 Attorney Help?

    Managing the bankruptcy process alone is very stressful and complicated, and in most cases, people need legal assistance to make the process smoother and to avoid critical mistakes. A qualified Chapter 7 attorney will determine whether you qualify for Chapter 7, help you ensure that all your debts are accounted for in your filing, and assist you with filing forms.

    The mission of a bankruptcy lawyer is to review your financial situation and advise on the best course of action. By working with a lawyer, you may find that you do not even need to file for bankruptcy to receive debt relief.

    We Can Be Your Bankruptcy Attorney in Millburn, NJ

    Goodgold West & Bennett LLC is a law firm with over 150 years of combined legal experience. Our experienced lawyers specialize in NJ bankruptcy and are ready to help if you file for bankruptcy.

    Our law firm counsels our clients on the available options and helps them achieve a fresh start after applying for bankruptcy. If you have any questions or want to schedule the initial consultation with a Millburn bankruptcy attorney, do not hesitate to contact our law firm today.

  • How To Protect Professional Licenses for Industry Workers

    smiling confident businessman wearing glasses signing contract at group negotiationsIf you’re an industry professional with a certification or license, you know how important it is to stay in good standing with your state’s professional board. The suspension or revocation of your NJ professional license isn’t simply a hurdle or challenge. It can mean the loss of your career and your income.

    For doctors, nurses, hair stylists, beauty industry professionals, and other industry workers, an investigation into one’s New Jersey professional license can be stressful and complicated. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to protect yourself and your license from unwarranted investigations and possible suspensions.

    Asking for—a professional licensed defense attorney near me— who has previously successfully defended professionals in licensing investigations is a good step to protecting yourself is to work. An attorney can navigate the process and find gaps in the investigation so that you come out of it successfully and with your career intact.

    Challenges to Professional Licenses

    Licensing investigations are initiated for a wide range of reasons.

    An unhappy customer could make an unfounded complaint to the licensing board. A disgruntled former employee or coworker could file an inaccurate report. Even simple miscommunication can lead to a report being made.

    The licensing board’s job is to protect consumers and industry professionals. It’s their responsibility to investigate complaints, reports, and alleged crimes. Even though you believe the allegations are false or unsubstantiated, the licensing board has to investigate the claims as if they may be true.

    The investigation can be stressful and difficult to navigate. You may be temporarily suspended from working while the investigation is ongoing. You may feel embarrassed around coworkers. You could suffer reputational harm and potentially lose business because of the investigation.

    Unfortunately, many of these outcomes are simply the reality of being under investigation by a licensing board. That’s why it’s critical to act quickly and find a successful resolution to the investigation as soon as possible.

    Professional License Protection

    The good news is that you can prevent licensing investigations and minimize the potential damage. Here are a few tips to consider:

    Communicate with clients and customers to prevent issue escalation. Misunderstandings happen in every business, and things go wrong sometimes—happens. Try to resolve this before the issue gets escalated to a licensing board.

    In some instances, reaching a compromise or other agreement is impossible. As soon as you are at an impasse and it becomes possible that the issue could escalate to a licensing board, it’s time to end the conversation and take on a more defensive stance.

    Don’t say anything more than you need to. Don’t answer questions from police or licensing investigators without a lawyer present. If you are asked questions, state that you understand there is an investigation, assert your innocence, and your attorney will handle all questions.

    You can hold anything you say against you during the investigation. Don’t risk a mistake by saying too much. Don’t say anything at all so your attorney can make a full defense on your behalf.

    You Might Need a Professional License Defense Attorney

    Perhaps the biggest thing you can do to protect yourself is work with an attorney experienced in professional licensing investigations. An experienced attorney can conduct a full investigation and defense on your behalf.

    For example, the attorney may discover inconsistencies in witness statements. They could find gaps in the investigative process that can be challenged and provide counter-evidence that acquits you from charges. Most importantly, they can prevent you from making statements or mistakes that worsen the situation.

    Are you facing a license investigation? Work with an attorney, so you get the right outcome. Contact Goodgold West & Bennett LLC today to defend your professional license. We can help you reach a successful outcome to continue your career.

  • RJB Firm Award Announcement Distinguishe Service Award

    Our firm is proud to announce that our partner, Robert J. Brass, Esq., was awarded the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Distinguished Service Award for Excellence in Continuing Legal Education, at a reception at the New Jersey State Bar Association Law Center, in New Brunswick, on Monday evening, September 12, 2022.

    The award is presented to attorneys and judges who volunteer their time and expertise to teach their colleagues in the profession; and, are the lifeblood of the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, which is part of the State Bar Association.

    Bob Brass is a longtime ambassador for NJICLE, having organized and spoken at more than 40 programs since 1995, for NJICLE and at the NJ State Bar Association’s Annual and Mid-Year Meetings, including presentations in Paris, Rome, Madrid, Dublin, New Orleans, Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

    Bob is the program moderator and coordinator for the annual “Criminal Law Institute,” a program that has attracted over 150 criminal law practitioners.

    Bob is a former NJSBA Trustee, a past chair of the Criminal Law Section and a long-time active member of the NJSBA through his service in other capacities