Michael H. Ansell

Cannabis Symposium draws hundreds to NJPAC

 

NBC 4's video of the crowd at the NJ Cannabis Symposium
NBC 4 New York was among the media outlets that covered the NJ Cannabis Symposium which drew a crowd of nearly 800 to the New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Newark on Jan. 25 .

Nearly 800 people interested in taking a role in the legal adult use cannabis industry attended the NJ Cannabis Symposium at the New Jersey Performing Arts Center last night.

As Ansell Grimm & Aaron, PC Partner Joshua S. Bauchner told the Asbury Park Press, “The time is now. If you’re starting today or tomorrow, you need to ramp up. There’s a tremendous amount of work to be done before we get to the actual filing of the licenses – getting your team together, getting your capital, finding your space, figuring out your banking.”

Media coverage of the event was extensive with reports appearing on New York’s NBC and ABC affiliates, on FIOS1 News, in NJBiz.com, and this morning on NPR and Good Morning America.

Bauchner, a featured speaker at the symposium, leads AGA’s dedicated Cannabis Law Practice Group which also co-hosted the Symposium alongside the BSC Group, Longview Strategic, Marcum LLP, and the New Jersey Cannabusiness Association.

“We already are planning the next event to be held on March 29 right back at the NJPAC. It will focus on the financial and financing side of the cannabis industry, including banking, raising capital, corporate structure, private lending, and more.” Bauchner explained. Registration for the March 29 Symposium is open at www.njcannabissymposium.com.

ANSELL GRIMM & AARON, PC’s Cannabis Law Practice Group is prepared to assist in all aspects of this emerging field and is committed to helping our clients understand their rights and the opportunities in this complex and evolving area of law. For more information visit our Cannabis Law Practice Group, follow us on Twitter at @THCCounselors, or contact Joshua Bauchner at jb@62q.f7d.myftpupload.com or (973) 247-9000.

AG&A Representing Self-Help Author In Wrongful Termination Suit

On November 14, “The Uninvited: How I Crashed My Way Into Finding Myself,” was released to great acclaim as a story of redemption by AG&A client Craig Schmell.

Just prior to its release, Mr. Schmell’s employer, Morgan Stanley, terminated him upon learning that he is a recovering alcoholic; a critical part of the book’s storyline. Ansell Grimm & Aaron, PC partner, Joshua S. Bauchner, and the firm immediately filed suit alleging unlawful termination arising from the discrimination against Mr. Schmell, a member of a protected class under state law.

The action is captioned: Craig Schmell v. Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc., Docket No. MON-L-4077017, pending in the Superior Court of the State of New Jersey, Law Division, Monmouth County.

Mr. Schmell worked as a Senior Vice President with the company from 2006 until his dismissal earlier this year.

Mr. Schmell gained notoriety for his ability to place himself at the center of major events such as the Rangers’ Stanley Cup victory and the Grammys. In his memoir, he recounts those times and the unfortunate role his substance abuse played in his being “uninvited” onto the world’s stage.

Prior to publication, Mr. Schmell allowed his employer to review the book and, upon its request, made significant changes to accommodate Morgan Stanley. Despite his efforts, which included removing any mention of the company and a reference to an arrest at age 16, Schmell was told the book created “reputational risk” for the company and that risk was the reason for his termination, although he has been sober for nearly three decades.

In his suit, Mr. Schmell contends that the real reason for his dismissal was his prior drug and alcohol abuse and his status as a recovering alcoholic. Indeed, Mr. Schmell and the book already have been featured in multiple news outlets, including:  Good Day New York, Cheddar, People Magazine, and Advisor Hub.

Ansell Grimm & Aaron, PC’s employment group regularly represents individuals and employers in discrimination disputes. For additional information, please contact Joshua S. Bauchner or Michael H. Ansell at (973) 247-9000.

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For more than 85 years, ANSELL GRIMM & AARON, PC has been dedicated to providing excellent legal representation.  In providing zealous advocacy and skilled legal advice to our diverse clientele, our attorneys all practice with a common philosophy… commitment to excellence and commitment to people.

 

AGA Offers Free Sexual Harassment Prevention Training

A flood of recent events has brought sexual harassment front and center in the national conscience.  With awareness at an all-time high, it is even more important for employers to take proactive steps to both prevent and respond to sexual harassment claims.  Ansell Grimm & Aaron, P.C., is pleased to offer a free training session to companies with at least 25 employees to instruct on what constitutes sexual harassment, what can be done to prevent it, and how to adequately respond to complaints.  More than just being the right thing to do, an employer who takes these proactive measures may be eligible for discounts on insurance premiums and help insulate themselves from potential liability.

If you are interested in scheduling a free training session, please contact Michael H. Ansell, Esq. of Ansell Grimm & Aaron, P.C., via email at mha@62q.f7d.myftpupload.com, by telephone at 973-247-9000, or visit our Labor & Employment Web page.

 

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For more than 85 years, ANSELL GRIMM & AARON, PC has been dedicated to providing excellent legal representation. In providing zealous advocacy and skilled legal advice to our diverse clientele, our attorneys all practice with a common philosophy… commitment to excellence and commitment to people. For more information, visit us at 62q.f7d.myftpupload.com.

Appeals court revives suit over breach of fiduciary duty

Joshua S. Bauchner, Esq., a partner of Ansell Grimm & Aaron, P.C., and co-chair of the firm’s Litigation Department, and Michael H. Ansell, an associate with the firm, recently secured the reversal on appeal of Dennis T. Palmeri, Jr’s suit against his former attorneys at Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP.

Palmeri alleged that Willkie unilaterally terminated its representation of him in favor of his employer, Ramius Securities, and then shifted responsibility for purported violations of FINRA’s rules onto him to protect its corporate client.  Palmeri claimed the law firm breached its fiduciary duty in violating his right to conflict free representation.

The trial court ruled that Palmeri failed to file his suit within the statute of limitations period, but the Appellate Division, First Department, unanimously disagreed and reinstated the case.  For the full story, please visit Law360, or the New York Law Journal.

Developers Continuing to Pursue Antitrust Suits

Fidelity Eatontown and QuickChek, represented by AGA attorneys Joshua Bauchner and Michael Ansell, will continue to pursue their claims against Excellency Enterprises, Kennedy Auto Service and others for attempting to eliminate competition in the local market for gas station convenience stores by preventing Plaintiffs’ developments from moving forward.

Fidelity Eatontown and QuickChek asserted violations of the Sherman Act and the New Jersey Antitrust Act, as well as claims for tortious interference and civil conspiracy, by Defendants after they filed allegedly frivolous litigations seeking to delay construction on Eatontown Planning Board approved developments by Fidelity and QuickChek.

According to a story published by www.law360.com by Joyce Hansen, U.S. District Judge Brian R. Martinotti  “ruled that the developers had made claims that could show the gas station companies had tried to discourage competition by making baseless challenges to the developers’ planning applications.”

Bauchner told LAW360 “The court’s decision confirms that entities seeking to abuse the land use process by engaging in sham litigation to prevent lawful competition are properly subject to federal antitrust claims.”

For the full story on Judge Martinotti’s decision, visit www.law360.com.

ANSELL GRIMM & AARON, PC zoning and land use attorneys have successfully secured land use approvals for many notable projects throughout the State of New Jersey and our litigation practice group offers extensive legal acumen as well as an in-depth understanding of all commercial operations. Please contact Joshua S. Bauchner (jb@62q.f7d.myftpupload.com) or Michael H. Ansell (mha@62q.f7d.myftpupload.com) to discuss your case.

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For more than 85 years, ANSELL GRIMM & AARON, PC has been dedicated to providing excellent legal representation. In providing zealous advocacy and skilled legal advice to our diverse clientele, our attorneys all practice with a common philosophy… commitment to excellence and commitment to people. For more information, visit us at 62q.f7d.myftpupload.com.

 

 

AGA Hosts Cannabis Roundtable

ANSELL GRIMM & AARON, PC hosted a Cannabis Roundtable on May 11, 2017, including representatives from various business sectors supporting the cannabis community. The goal of the Roundtable was to offer a suite of services to clients providing total support in each sector and easing an otherwise very challenging entry into the cannabis marketplace (particularly on the East Coast).

Participants included:

  • Ed Keating, a co-founder of Cannabiz, which is the most comprehensive source for U.S. marijuana licensing information acquiring and maintaining up-to-date data on over 16,000 marijuana licenses in the Cannabiz Media Database.
  • Frank Salluce and Dave Smokler, the co-founders of 420 IT Solutions, which is the leading provider of business advisory and IT advisory services for the cannabis related businesses.
  • Max Meade and Billy Roberts, with Brown & Brown Insurance, which provides total policy coverage for cannabis, hemp and CBD operations, including: general liability, product liability, excess liability, property, crop, equipment breakdown and workers comp.
  • Tom Corbo, of Shure Grow, which provides hydroponics, lighting and related equipment for personal and commercial cultivation.
  • Joshua S. Bauchner, Esq., Michael H. Ansell, Esq., and Anthony D’Artiglio, Esq. of the firm explained how members of AGA’s Cannabis Law Practice Group can assist with corporate formation and governance, licensing, leasing, financing, litigation, and regulatory compliance.
  • Greg S. Gargulinski, Esq., a criminal defense attorney also with the firm, explained the intersection between state and federal law, and advised applicants on how to protect against a background check revealing dated, unknown, or de minimus issues which may compromise licensure.
  • AGA clients intending to apply for licensure when the application process is reopened also attended, connecting with those who can support the establishment of a dispensary and grow house in accord with New Jersey’s tiered license structure.

ANSELL GRIMM & AARON, PC’s dedicated Cannabis Law group has an in-depth understanding of the laws both specifically and generally related to cannabis production, sale, use, regulation and legalization and our attorneys are here to help individuals and businesses of all sizes and any stage of development plan for a successful future.

For additional information, please visit our Website and follow us on Twitter @THCCounselors where we provide frequent updates on legal and business developments in the cannabis space.

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For more than 85 years, ANSELL GRIMM & AARON, PC has been dedicated to providing excellent legal representation. In providing zealous advocacy and skilled legal advice to our diverse clientele, our attorneys all practice with a common philosophy… commitment to excellence and commitment to people. For more information, visit us at https://ansell.law.