News / Blog

Important Spill Act decision

Monday, March 28th, 2011
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On March 23, 2011, the New Jersey Appellate Division issued an important decision regarding a property owner’s liability pursuant to the New Jersey Spill Act. In NJDEP v. Dimant, the Appellate Court held that liability under the Spill Act requires proof of some nexus (or connection) between the use or discharge of a hazardous substance […]

Suggestions on leasing a gasoline station

Thursday, January 6th, 2011
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This is an article I wrote for the New Jersey Gasoline Retailers Association in December 2008. Despite the span of time, and the implementation of SRRA, the suggestions here are worth reviewing.  Although this was  written for operating a gasoline station, the suggestions here are also applicable to many other environmentally sensitive or  environmentally contaminated […]

SRRA: so far, so good

Friday, October 8th, 2010
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Since the implementation of SRRA, the pace of obtaining ISRA approvals and final approvals  (RAO) for  current remediation cases  has significantly quickened.  During the last several months, many of my clients have obtained ISRA approvals in  transactions (some “easy” cases, others more difficult) in a fraction of the time they thought possible.  Additionally, many clients with long “open” […]

LEASING GASOLINE STATIONS: AVOIDING THE ENVIRONMENTAL TRAP

Thursday, March 25th, 2010
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Part One in a Two Part Series By Alan Ashkinaze Leasing a gasoline station in the current economy is fraught with many challenges; and one of the most important (yet overlooked) challenges is avoiding the environmental traps caused by the actions or inactions of your tenant. Lessors of gasoline service stations live in constant fear […]

Boutiques Find Strength in Unity

Thursday, February 25th, 2010
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By Kris W, Scibiorski In a world of ever growing legal behemoths, a small band of highly skilled outsiders is trying to hang on to their hard won niche practices.Admittedly, the efforts of the New Jersey chapter of the International Network of Boutique Law Firms (INBLF) are unlikely to make much of a blockbuster action […]

Ashkinaze mentioned in Charles Stile’s February 21, 2010 column in the Bergen Record

Monday, February 22nd, 2010
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Here is Charlie Stile’s article: Conservative surge   Christie’s election represents the high water mark of an informal group of conservative activists who began meeting regularly at the Empire Diner in Parsippany eight years ago. The Tuesday Group began its lunch sessions in 2002, which could be considered the nadir of the conservative movement in […]

Farm’s Neighbors File State Ethics Complaint

Monday, January 25th, 2010
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By Walter Dawkins Staff Writer OLD TAPPAN — Neighbors involved in a pesticide complaint against a farm owned by a borough councilman have filed an ethics complaint against him with the state’s Local Finance Board. The complaint, dated Feb. 1, alleges that Ronald Binaghi Jr. used his influence as a borough councilman to obtain approval […]

Schundler nominated for Education Commissioner

Tuesday, January 19th, 2010
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When Bret Schundler was  Mayor of Jersey City, I had the honor of working side by side with him as  an Assistant Corporation Counsel and Mayor’s aide (1993-2001.)  I know that Bret’s experience, intelligence, and “can do” attitude wills serve him well in this position.  Good luck, Bret.

Bob Martin nominated to be next NJDEP Commissioner

Friday, January 15th, 2010
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Bob Martin  to be nominated Commissioner of NJ Department of Environmental Protection Bob Martin, a Hopewell Township business executive, will be nominated by Chris Christie to serve as commissioner of the Department of Environmental Protection.  Martin is a retired partner with Accenture and worked with the Christie campaign and transition team on energy and environmental policies during his race for […]

Ashkinaze named as one of 12 “transition counsel” to Governor-Elect Chris Christie’s Transition Committee.

Wednesday, December 16th, 2009
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I am very honored to be one of 12 attorneys who will be serving as counsel to  Governor-Elect Chris Christie’s Transition Committee.  During the transition, I will provide legal advice (when requested) to the Committee  (and/or the various sub-committees) on  environmental, public utility, and administrative law issues.