In the News

Use Variances in New Jersey: What Developers and Property Owners Should Know

A promising New Jersey real estate deal can stall quickly when the intended use does not match the zoning ordinance. A buyer may want to convert an older commercial building into a different use. A landlord may have a strong tenant ready to sign a lease. A developer may see opportunity in an underused parcel near Route 46, Route 23, Route 80, Route 3, or the Garden State Parkway. But if the proposed use is not permitted in the zoning district, the project may require a use variance before it can move forward. For commercial property owners, developers, investors, landlords, tenants, and businesses in Morris County, Passaic County, Bergen County, Essex County, Hudson County, Wayne, Parsippany, and surrounding municipalities, understanding the use variance process early can help avoid expensive surprises.  

Sep 28, 2026 • 15 min read

LEGAL ALERT: Proposed New Jersey ADU Legislation Could Significantly Affect Municipal Zoning Authority

Proposed New Jersey legislation could significantly change how municipalities regulate accessory dwelling units. If enacted, S-1786 would require many municipalities to permit qualifying ADUs under statewide standards, limit certain local zoning restrictions, and review applications without a public hearing or risk automatic approval after 60 days. Mark J. Semeraro, Esq. examines the proposed requirements, concerns surrounding municipal zoning authority, and what the legislation could mean for local officials, property owners, developers, and land use professionals.

Sep 21, 2026 • 2 min read

Mark J. Semeraro Named a 2026 Columbian Foundation Honoree

Semeraro & Fahrney, LLC is proud to congratulate Founding Partner Mark J. Semeraro, Esq. on being selected as an honoree at The Columbian Foundation’s 84...

Sep 15, 2026 • 1 min read

Semeraro & Fahrney Secures Site Plan Approval for 113 Unit Affordable Housing Development in Wayne, NJ

Semeraro & Fahrney is thrilled to announce Wayne’s first redevelopment project, a site plan approval of a 113 unit affordable housing project. This 113 u...

Jun 30, 2026 • 1 min read

A Major NJLAD Shakeup: Third Circuit Predicts End of the “Background Circumstances” Rule in Massey v. Borough of Bergenfield.

In a March 6, 2026 decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit predicted that the New Jersey Supreme Court would no longer apply the judge-mad...

Jun 08, 2026 • 3 min read

New Jersey’s E-Bike Law Starts in July 2026: What Riders and Parents Must Know

That e-bike in your garage may soon be regulated more like a motorized vehicle than a regular bicycle. Here’s what you need to know about New Jersey’s new law. 

May 18, 2026 • 2 min read

What Are My Legal Rights If My Child Is Being Bullied at School?

When your child is being bullied, it is scary, emotional, and frustrating. New Jersey does have strong laws to protect students, but those protections only help if you know how they work and how to use them. This article gives a straightforward overview of your child’s legal rights under New Jersey’s school bullying laws and what to do if the school is not doing enough.

May 11, 2026 • 4 min read

At-Will Employment in New Jersey: Can I Be Fired for Any Reason?

By: Mark J. Semeraro, Esq., May 4, 2026 At-a-Glance New Jersey is an “at-will” employment state: most employees can be fired at any time, for almost any re...

May 04, 2026 • 5 min read

Is Your Child Being Bullied Online? What New Jersey Law Says About Suing for Cyberbullying

The rise of digital communication has unfortunately led to an increase in cyberbullying, posing significant challenges for children and their families in New Jersey. Understanding the legal avenues available to address such harmful behavior is crucial for protecting your child's well-being.

Apr 29, 2026 • 2 min read

Types of Workplace Harassment and How New Jersey Law Protects You

No one should have to endure harassment at work. If you’re dealing with offensive comments, unwanted touching, or other toxic behavior, you might wonder: is this just a bad work environment, or is it illegal? New Jersey has strong laws against workplace harassment, but not every rude remark or tough boss qualifies. It depends on the type of harassment and whether it crosses the legal line.

Apr 20, 2026 • 3 min read

What Is Workplace Retaliation in New Jersey (and What Is Just a Bad Day at Work)?

When something at work suddenly changes after you speak up, your schedule is cut, your boss turns cold, or a promotion disappears, it’s natural to wonder: Is this illegal retaliation, or just unfair (but legal) management? In New Jersey, retaliation laws are strong, but they don’t turn every bad workplace decision into a lawsuit. This guide explains the difference between unlawful retaliation and ordinary management decisions, what counts as “protected activity,” and why documentation is critical if you think something is wrong.

Apr 14, 2026 • 5 min read

So You Want to Open a Business in New Jersey? Here’s What You Need to Know.

Opening a café in Montclair, a salon in Wayne, or a boutique in Jersey City should be exciting, not a guessing game about zoning, parking, and permits. Yet many owners sign a lease, start renovations, or order signage before confirming whether the town will actually let them operate there. That can lead to delays, surprise costs, or, in the worst cases, a business that never opens. Here is a practical, New Jersey-specific roadmap for opening a brick-and-mortar business in NJ, from zoning and site plan approvals to sign permits, parking, and Certificates of Occupancy (CO).

Apr 06, 2026 • 6 min read

What Counts as Workplace Harassment? What Is Just a Bad Boss?

If you’ve ever gone home from work and wondered “is this harassment or is my boss just mean?” you’re not alone. A lot of New Jersey employees feel stressed, singled out, or bullied at work, but aren’t sure if what they’re experiencing is illegal or simply an unhealthy workplace. This guide explains how New Jersey law defines harassment, what “hostile work environment” really means, and how to tell the difference between unlawful conduct and a boss who is simply rude, demanding, or micromanaging.

Mar 23, 2026 • 6 min read

“Is This Retaliation?” 7 Warning Signs After You Complain at Work

You spoke up at work: maybe about discrimination, harassment, unsafe conditions, or something you believe is illegal. Now things feel…different. Your schedule got changed. Your boss suddenly says your performance is a problem. You’re being left out of meetings. Is that just normal workplace friction, or is it illegal retaliation?

Mar 17, 2026 • 5 min read

Hurt at Work in New Jersey: Workers’ Compensation vs. Personal Injury Lawsuit

If you’ve been hurt on the job in New Jersey, one of the first questions you may have is: “Can I sue anyone for my injury, or is this just workers’ comp?” The answer is usually: your primary claim is through workers’ compensation, not a lawsuit. But in many cases, you may also have a separate personal injury claim against a third party, like another driver, a product manufacturer, or a property owner. This article explains the difference between workers’ compensation and personal injury claims, when it’s strictly workers’ comp, and when you may have both.

Mar 10, 2026 • 6 min read

Can My Boss Fire Me for What I Post on Social Media?

Can My Boss Fire Me for What I Post on Social Media? Short answer in New Jersey: often yes, but not for any reason, and not in any situation. This is where at-will employment, free speech, discrimination laws, and social-media privacy rules all collide.

Feb 09, 2026 • 7 min read

The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD): Your Guide to NJ Workplace Rights

The New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (NJLAD) is one of the strongest workplace protection laws in the country, giving employees real power to challenge discrimination, harassment, and retaliation on the job. If you’re facing a hostile work environment or unfair treatment because of who you are, the NJLAD may allow you to recover compensation and hold your employer accountable.  This article breaks down how NJLAD works in the workplace, who is protected, what a hostile work environment looks like under New Jersey law, and what to do if you think your rights have been violated.

Feb 02, 2026 • 4 min read

Can My Employer Make Me Work Off the Clock?

By: Mark J. Semeraro, Esq. January 23, 2026 Unpaid prep time, skipped lunches, and late-night emails in New Jersey You clock out at 5:00 p.m., but your boss ...

Jan 23, 2026 • 7 min read

Slip-and-Fall vs. “Just an Accident”: When Is It Actually Negligence?

By: R. Scott Fahrney, Esq. January 12, 2026 If you’ve been hurt in a fall on someone else’s property, a grocery store, apartment complex, office building, si...

Jan 12, 2026 • 4 min read

Navigating a Toxic Workplace: Understanding Hostile Work Environments in New Jersey

When your workplace turns toxic and you’re dreading going in every day, you don’t just need sympathy, and you shouldn’t wait for things to “get bad enough” before you act. You need a New Jersey employment lawyer who understands how these cases are really built, defended, and won. This article is designed to help you see where the legal line is under New Jersey law and what to do if your employer has already crossed it.

Jan 05, 2026 • 5 min read

The Insurance Company Is Not Your Friend - How to Protect Yourself After a Car Accident

After a car accident, many individuals believe that their insurance company will act in their best interests. However, it's crucial to understand that insurance companies are businesses primarily focused on minimizing payouts and maximizing profits. Recognizing this reality can help you take the necessary steps to protect your rights and ensure you receive fair compensation.

Dec 26, 2025 • 2 min read

Understanding the New Jersey Tort Claims Act: What Residents Get Wrong

If you’re injured because of something a town, county, school, or other government agency did (or failed to do), your case does not follow the same rules as a typical car accident or slip-and-fall against a private business.

Dec 15, 2025 • 4 min read

10 Essential Components Every New Jersey Employment Contract Needs

Hiring or accepting a new role should feel clear, not risky. A well-drafted employment contract sets expectations, reduces disputes, and protects both sides.

Nov 10, 2025 • 2 min read

New Jersey’s New Pay & Benefits Transparency Rule (N.J.S.A. 34:6B-23): What Employers Need to Know

New Jersey now requires most employers to show their cards on pay. If you post for a new role or advertise a promotion, you’ll likely need to disclose the pay range and a general description of benefits, plus make reasonable efforts to alert current employees to promotional opportunities.

Nov 03, 2025 • 2 min read