Hackettstown, NJ

Lawrence P. Cohen

Lawrence P. Cohen is the senior partner of the firm and a member of the Litigation Department, specializing in personal injury litigation, commercial litigation, and related tort actions. He is recognized as a Certified Civil Trial Attorney by the New Jersey Supreme Court, an honor bestowed upon a select few attorneys with extensive courtroom experience. Since 2005, he has been recognized as a Super Lawyer in Litigation by New Jersey Super Lawyers. He is also a member of The Million Dollar Advocates Forum, indicating his success in securing million and multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements. His experience covers civil trial, personal injury, commercial litigation, employment law, and zoning litigation in both New Jersey State and Federal Courts. He supervises a team of lawyers who have successfully tried cases in corporate disputes, personal injury, and employment matters, with recent client recoveries exceeding $7.5 million, including one over $3.5 million. Mr. Cohen also practices before the New Jersey State Tax Court, representing municipalities and property owners in real estate tax assessment appeals, successfully defending a $220 million assessment for a municipality. He is well-versed in local government law, having represented numerous municipalities, local boards, and public agencies, and served as a Trustee for the New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys.

James F. Moscagiuri

James Moscagiuri is a partner in the firm's litigation group, with a diverse practice including personal injury, workers' compensation, estate litigation, business disputes, municipal law, and community association representation. He is an experienced personal injury attorney, handling cases involving catastrophic injuries and wrongful death, securing millions for clients, including a $3.6 million recovery and a key role in a $2.25 million settlement. He is a skilled workers' compensation attorney, helping clients recover benefits for workplace injuries. As an experienced estate litigator, he has been court-appointed as an administrator for complex, disputed estates. He handles complex business disputes, including shareholder and contractual issues, business torts, and emergent applications, with notable successes like dismissing a $12 million portfolio claim and defending a municipality in a $4.1 million contract dispute. He has extensive experience in traffic matters and DWI cases, having served as a municipal prosecutor and regularly defending clients in municipal court in Warren, Sussex, and Morris Counties. He also serves as a municipal attorney and provides legal counsel to community associations. He is deeply involved in his community, having served as President of the Warren County Bar Association, an Adjunct Professor of Business Law at Centenary University, and a volunteer coach and board member for local organizations.

William H. Pandos

William H. Pandos is an Associate at the firm, focusing on civil litigation, including personal injury, business disputes, real property disputes, civil rights actions, political litigation, and appellate practice. He has extensive experience defending public entities against various claims, such as OPRA litigation, employment discrimination, and whistleblower actions. Mr. Pandos represents clients in the Superior Court of New Jersey, the New Jersey Superior Court: Appellate Division, the Tax Court of New Jersey, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He is known for his client-focused approach, investigating claims, exploring defenses, and developing tailored litigation strategies. He is an experienced negotiator, providing unbiased risk assessments and fighting for advantageous settlements. Outside of law, he is a Senior Adjunct Professor at Warren County Community College, teaching legal studies. He has volunteered as an Emergency Medical Technician with the Flemington-Raritan First Aid & Rescue Squad since 2006 and is a Past President and current Board of Trustees member of the Warren County Bar Association.

Michael S. Selvaggi

Michael Selvaggi is the Managing Shareholder of Lavery, Selvaggi & Cohen, PC, with expertise in several practice areas. He is a leading land use and planning attorney in northern New Jersey, appearing regularly before zoning and planning boards for various clients, including privately-held entities, Fortune 500 companies, not-for-profit organizations, and homeowners. He also serves as attorney for municipal land use boards. Mr. Selvaggi represents developers in affordable housing projects and is familiar with the state's Fair Housing Act. He has experience with cannabis-related land use approvals. He has an in-depth understanding of environmental laws, including the Highlands Water Protection and Planning Act, freshwater wetlands regulations, and storm water management rules. He assists clients in all aspects of land acquisition and development, real estate transactions, and lease negotiations. He represents business entities in formation, acquisition, sale, and merger, and is counsel to several regional banks. Additionally, he practices local government law, serving as appointed attorney for several municipalities and boards of education, knowledgeable in Open Public Meeting Act, Open Public Records Act, public bidding, and contract matters. He dedicates substantial time to charitable and civic causes, having served as President of the Warren County Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Warren County Bar Association, and as a Warren County Trustee to the New Jersey State Bar Association. He is a Board Director for Abilities of Northwest New Jersey and a member of the Foundation Board for Hackettstown Regional Medical Center. He sits on the Finance Council for St. Luke Roman Catholic Church and directed its CYO Basketball program.

Allan Marain

Allan Marain has over forty-five years of experience representing individuals in firearms-related offenses and as an expungement lawyer. He practices in Municipal Courts, the Superior Court of New Jersey, and the New Jersey Supreme Court, and is a member of the Bar of several United States Courts. He served as an Assistant Deputy Public Defender from 1989 to 1997. Allan is a past chair of the Criminal Law Section and Municipal Court Practice Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association and has been recognized as a 'Super Lawyer' in New Jersey multiple times. He is also a member of the Legal Committee of NORML and NARSOL. He graduated with honors from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1976 and passed the New Jersey Bar the same year. He also holds a Commercial Pilot’s license and is a Certified Flight Instructor.

Michael B. Lavery

Michael B. Lavery is the founding partner and director of the firm's Municipal Government Practice, recognized as a leading attorney in municipal government law in New Jersey. He represents numerous governmental entities and serves as Special Counsel to several counties. Mr. Lavery is also a seasoned land use attorney, representing developers and understanding the New Jersey Municipal Land Use Law. He is an accomplished litigator in civil and commercial matters. He is the former State Chairman for the New Jersey Republican Party and formerly served as General Counsel to the NJGOP. He was Mayor of Hackettstown for two terms and was appointed by Governor Chris Christie to the Delaware River Joint Toll Bridge Commission. He also served on the New Jersey Legislative Apportionment Commission and as Republican State Committeeman for Warren County. He is involved in community service, including the Hackettstown Medical Center Advisors Board and former President of the Hackettstown Medical Center Foundation Board.

Thomas Roughneen

Thomas Roughneen is the founder of Citizen Soldier Law, established in 2013. He served as an Assistant Prosecutor in Union and Essex Counties for nine years. He enlisted in the New Jersey Army National Guard in 1988, received his commission in 1990, and retired after 30 years of service as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps (JAG). His military service included commanding a field artillery battery, leading civil-military operations in Iraq (2003-2004), serving as defense counsel for a Guantanamo Bay detainee, a military prosecutor, a Brigade Judge Advocate in Germany, and an adjudicator at the Physical Evaluation Board (PEB). He holds a Masters from Johns Hopkins University (2007), a Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall University School of Law (1995), and an undergraduate degree from Rutgers College (1991). He received a Meritorious Service Medal (2011) and two Bronze Star Medals. He is a former Chairman of the Military Law and Veterans Affairs Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association.