Litigation Attorney Frances Barto Instrumental in Montclair State University Win
Frances E. Barto, Esq.
Scarinci Hollenbeck is proud to congratulate Associate Frances Barto on her role in winning an important victory for our client Montclair State University (“MSU”). In Gomez v. Cumberland USA, Inc., the Plaintiff Gomez brought a lawsuit against MSU and his employer, Cumberland USA, Inc. an independent contractor hired by MSU, for injuries sustained when he fell from a roof while doing repairs at MSU after a heavy snowstorm. The trial court initially ruled in favor of Plaintiff and denied MSU’s summary judgment motion, rejecting the University’s argument that it was immune from liability under the New Jersey Tort Claims Act ruling that that the property was in a “dangerous condition” at the time of Plaintiff’s injury and that MSU had assumed a legal duty to protect Plaintiff. The appellate panel reversed the trial court’s decision and entered a summary judgment in favor of MSU, dismissing the case with prejudice, ruling that (1) Plaintiffs proofs failed to establish the statutory requirements for imposing liability of a public entity for injuries caused by snow on the roof; (2) MSU had no duty, contractual or otherwise, to make the roof safe for the Plaintiff; (3) MSU’s property contained no “dangerous condition” as defined by the statute; and (4) MSU did not affirmatively created the situation which led to Plaintiff’s injury.
According to Ms. Barto, “Gomez v. MSU is a win for public entities, once again demonstrating the general rule of immunity and the burden on the Plaintiff required to establish liability under the Tort Claims Act. In this case, Plaintiff simply failed to meet that burden.”
Frances E. Barto focuses her practice on commercial and public entity litigation representing individuals, businesses and public entities throughout the State of New Jersey and in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. Ms. Barto was recently recognized by 201 Magazine in their June 2015 publication as a top lawyer in Bergen County, NJ.
Scarinci Hollenbeck Attorneys Named to New Jersey Super Lawyers 2026
Scarinci Hollenbeck Attorneys Named to New Jersey Super Lawyers 2026 and Rising Stars Lists Scarinci Hollenbeck is pleased to announce that several of its attorneys have been selected for inclusion in the New Jersey Super Lawyers 2026 and Rising Stars lists. The annual recognition highlights attorneys who have attained a high degree of peer recognition […]
Donald M. Pepe and Donald Scarinci Named to 2026 ROI-NJ Influencers: Law List
ROI-NJ Continues to Feature Donald Scarinci and Donald M. Pepe on Annual Influencers in Law List Donald M. Pepe and Donald Scarinci of Scarinci Hollenbeck have once again been named to ROI-NJ’s 2026 Influencers: Law List, recognizing attorneys who continue to shape New Jersey’s legal and business landscape. The annual list highlights legal professionals whose […]
Monmouth Bar Golden Gala Honors Two Scarinci Hollenbeck Attorneys
Scarinci Hollenbeck is proud to share that two highly acclaimed retired judges who now serve as Of Counsel to the firm, Hon. Ira E. Kreizman, J.S.C. and Hon. Ronald Lee Reisner, J.S.C., will be honored at the Monmouth Bar Association’s Golden Gala. The event recognizes members of the Monmouth Bar Association who have practiced law […]
NJ Real Estate Attorney Joe DeMarco Named in 2026 NJBIZ Leaders in Law List
Scarinci Hollenbeck is pleased to announce that NJ Real Estate Partner, Joe DeMarco, has been named a 2026 Leaders in Law Award Honoree by NJBIZ in the Real Estate: Construction, Environmental, Leasing category. The NJBIZ Leaders in Law program recognizes attorneys and general counsels whose professional accomplishments, leadership, and service to their communities demonstrate a […]
John M. Scagnelli Re-Elected to LSRPA Board of Trustees
Scarinci Hollenbeck is pleased to announce that Partner John M. Scagnelli has been re-elected to serve on the Board of Trustees of the Licensed Site Remediation Professionals Association (LSRPA) for an additional two-year term. LSRPA is the statewide professional organization representing New Jersey’s Licensed Site Remediation Professionals (LSRPs), playing a central role in advancing environmental […]
Robert E. Levy Re-Certified as Civil Trial Attorney by the Supreme Court of New Jersey
Scarinci Hollenbeck is pleased to announce that Robert E. Levy has been re-certified as a Certified Civil Trial Attorney by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. This re-certification, combined with Levy’s existing designation as a Certified Criminal Trial Attorney, places him among less than one percent of all certified attorneys in New Jersey to hold […]
No Aspect of the advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court. Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.
Sign up to get the latest from our attorneys!
Explore What Matters Most to You.
Consider subscribing to our Firm Insights mailing list by clicking the button below so you can keep up to date with the firm`s latest articles covering various legal topics.
Stay informed and inspired with the latest updates, insights, and events from Scarinci Hollenbeck. Our resource library provides valuable content across a range of categories to keep you connected and ahead of the curve.
Let`s get in touch!
Sign up to get the latest from the Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC attorneys!
