11/6/2024
Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski, P.C. is proud to announce that it has been ranked in the 2024 Best Lawyers® “Best Law Firms”. The firm was recognized by Best Law Firms® as a Metropolitan Tier 1 firm in New Jersey for Commercial Litigation.
The 2024 edition of Best Law Firms® includes rankings in 75 national practice areas and 127 metropolitan-based practice areas.
Click here to view Best Law Firms Methodology
About Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski, P.C.
Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski, P.C. is a mid-size New Jersey firm which combines the skill of a large firm with the individualized service of a small firm to deliver exceptional and cost-effective results for our clients. The firm has a statewide practice with 3 offices in New Jersey, more than 30 lawyers, and a 40-year history of successfully representing clients in a wide range of complex litigation and other legal matters.
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act was enacted on March 29, 2020, to provide emergency financial assistance to millions of Americans suffering the economic effects caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. One source of relief provided by the CARES Act was the authorization of up to $349 billion in forgivable loans to small businesses for job retention through PPP loans for payroll costs, interest on mortgages, rent and utilities. The PPP allows the interest and principal on loans to be forgiven if the business used the proceeds on eligible expense in accordance with the law.
The Department of Justice is now investigating PPP loans in New Jersey and throughout the country pursuant to the federal False Claims Act, common law theories of overpayment and breach of contract, the equitable theory of unjust enrichment, and other potential causes of action. In addition to potential criminal charges for intentional fraud, the False Claims Act permits the United States to recover treble damages, or three times the amount of its loss. In addition, the United States may recover penalties of over $10,000 per individual false claim or individual document falsified in support of a false claim, to the extent the documentation was falsified.
Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski, P.C. is ready to assist individuals and companies in connection with a federal criminal or civil investigation regarding the Paycheck Protection Program. Each case needs to be examined individually to determine the potential applicable defenses. If you have received a Notice of False Claims Act investigation regarding a PPP loan that you or your company received, please call or email Craig A. Domalewski or Brandon D. Minde for a consultation.
Mary Beth Gazi recently secured the dismissal of a wrongful death lawsuit against a nurse practitioner based on the statute of limitations. In the lawsuit, the nurse practitioner was not named in the original complaint. After initial written discovery and depositions, plaintiff’s counsel was permitted to amend the complaint to add the nurse practitioner despite the objection of Ms. Gazi that the amendment was improper because the claim was time-barred. Subsequently, Ms. Gazi filed a motion for summary judgment and argued that the claim should be dismissed based on the statute of limitations because the consultation notes contained in the pertinent records clearly listed the nurse practitioner’s name and employer, and the records also contained two typed consultation reports by the nurse practitioner. The motion for summary judgment was opposed by plaintiff who argued that the claim was not time-barred and permissible under the fictitious pleading rule because “John Doe” parties were included in the original complaint. Under New Jersey law, the fictitious pleading rule allows a litigant to preserve a cause of action when the litigant knows the nature of the claim but does not know the identity of the alleged tortfeasor. After a lengthy oral argument, the trial court granted the motion for summary judgment and held that the claim was barred under the statute of limitations. In so ruling, the court rejected plaintiff’s effort to rely on the fictitious pleading rule based on its determination that plaintiff failed to use proper diligence because the nurse practitioner’s identity could have been ascertained by a thorough review of the records before the expiration of the statute of limitations.
Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski, P.C. (DH&D) is excited to announce that Brandon D. Minde has been promoted to the Executive Committee and will join Craig A. Domalewski and Russell L. Hewit in the management of the firm. “Brandon has been with us for ten years and he has made a significant contribution to our firm,” said Mr. Domalewski. “Brandon has made DH&D a better firm and we look forward to his continued contribution to the firm’s growth and success as a member of our management team,” added Mr. Hewit.
Mr. Minde is a certified criminal defense attorney and former prosecutor. He leads the criminal defense and regulatory practice group at DH&D and is also a member of the firm’s civil litigation and trial practice group, with a focus in complex civil litigation.
Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski, P.C. has a statewide practice in all state and federal courts in New Jersey, with 3 offices in New Jersey, more than 30 lawyers, and a 40-year history of successfully representing and advocating for clients in a dozen different areas of practice.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Atlantic City, New Jersey – September 5, 2023
Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski, P.C. (DH&D) is pleased to announce the addition of six litigation attorneys and the opening of a new office in Absecon, New Jersey.
Timothy M. Cramer, David Bishop, and Timothy B. Crammer, from the law firm of Crammer & Bishop, have joined DH&D in the firm’s civil litigation practice group and will be located in the firm’s new office in Absecon. Tim M. Crammer, Dave Bishop, and Tim B. Crammer are highly experienced and respected litigation and trial attorneys. They add significant depth and breadth to an already deep litigation and trial team at DH&D.
Craig A. Domalewski, Managing Partner of DH&D, stated: “We are thrilled that Tim, Dave, and Tim have joined our firm. They are great lawyers and, together with the opening of a new office in Atlantic County, allow us to grow our presence and better serve our clients in South Jersey.”
“We are excited about joining Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski, P.C. It is an excellent law firm with an outstanding reputation and a talented team of litigation and trial lawyers and support staff. We believe joining DH&D, with its statewide practice in all state and federal courts, will serve the best interests of our clients,” stated Timothy M. Crammer.
DH&D is also pleased to announce the addition of three more lawyers — Benjamin H. Haftel, Mary Lou Dennis-Suckow, and Janet Glore. Mr. Haftel is a gifted litigation and trial attorney and Ms. Dennis-Suckow and Ms. Glore are highly accomplished litigation attorneys with a broad range of civil litigation experience.
“Ben, Mary Lou, and Janet grow the talent pool of experienced, high-caliber litigators at DH&D and allow the firm to continue to deliver the best legal representation and advocacy to our clients.” Mr. Domalewski added.
About Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski, P.C.
Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski, P.C. has a statewide practice with 3 offices in New Jersey, more than 30 lawyers, and a 40-year history of successfully representing and advocating for clients in a dozen different areas of practice. Mr. Domalewski stated the additions of these six experienced litigation and trial attorneys will enhance DH&D’s position as one of the state’s best boutique law firms: “As a medium-sized law firm in New Jersey, we pride ourselves in offering clients the skill and resources of a big New Jersey firm, but without the crippling costs. We strive to deliver to our clients individualized attention and professional excellence in each representation. The changes we are announcing today will further support our unique position in the New Jersey legal marketplace and ensure we can continue to provide our clients with high-quality legal service and fierce advocacy at an affordable price.” For more information, please visit dughihewit.com
Contact
Telephone: (908)272-0200
Email: info@dughihewit.com
Website: https://www.dughihewit.com/
Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski, P.C. is pleased to announce that Craig A. Domalewski has once again been included in the 2024 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® for Commercial Litigation (a trademark of Woodward/White, Inc.). First published in 1983, The Best Lawyers in America is one of the oldest and most respected peer-review publications in the legal profession.
Lawyers on The Best Lawyers in America list are divided by geographic region and practice areas. They are reviewed by their peers based on professional expertise and undergo an authentication process to ensure they are in current practice and in good standing.
Read more about the Best Lawyers selection process.
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.
DHD trial attorney Brandon Minde successfully represented a client in an investigation conducted by the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, Office of the Attorney General (“the DCA”). After two complaints were made against DHD’s client, the DCA commenced an investigation and issued a Notice of Violation. Mr. Minde was able to persuade the DCA to withdraw the Notice of Violation as to DHD’s client based on his presentation of facts to the DCA which discredited the underlying basis for the complaints.
Mr. Minde has significant experience with civil and criminal matters involving the Office of the Attorney General. His practice focuses on representing individuals and businesses charged with criminal offenses or who are the subject of criminal or government investigations, defending physicians and hospitals in medical malpractice lawsuits and professional licensing board investigations, and handling complex civil-litigation matters.
Mark Petraske secured another defense verdict after a 9-day trial in Middlesex County. Plaintiff alleged that a cataract surgery was performed improperly that resulted in a near loss of vision in the eye. During the insertion of the artificial lens the trailing haptic broke which required the artificial lens to be cut up and removed piece by piece. A new lens was inserted, and the patient was seen on post operative day one. On post op day one the cornea was noted to have significant edema, a known risk of any cataract surgery. The patient had a history of uveitis and an ocular herpes virus that was quite in the eye leading up to surgery. The defendant doctor believed that the virus may have been reactivated due to required extra surgery and began an aggressive course of therapy to resolve the corneal edema. Ultimately, she achieved 20/50 vision under the doctor’s care but could not recover the central portion of the cornea and a referral to a corneal specialist was made. After consulting with several cornea specialists, the plaintiff underwent a cornea transplant but due to some technical issues only achieved a 20/400, uncorrected vision. She now must wear a scleral lens to be able to correct to 20/25. The defense argued that many of the things she is claiming as current complaints pre-existed the surgery, and that her complaints of vertigo were not ocular complaints at all and were being treated by a neurologist on referral from her ophthalmologist. The jury returned a verdict of 5-1 in favor of the doctor, after just under an hour of deliberations. This defense verdict continues a streak of 9 defense jury verdicts — in 5 different counties — since May 2022.
Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski, P.C. is proud to announce that seven of its attorneys have been selected to the 2023 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists. Super Lawyers is a part of Thomson Reuters and is a research and peer-review rating service. This is an exclusive list, recognizing no more than five percent of the attorneys in the State of New Jersey.
The DHD attorneys recognized on the 2023 Super Lawyers List are:
In addition, the firm is also proud to announce that Ryan Notarangelo, Alexa Luzzi and Cara Anan were named to the 2023 New Jersey Rising Stars list. Each year, this designation is given to less than 2.5 percent of New Jersey attorneys recognized as the top up-and-coming attorneys who are 40 years old or younger, or who have been practicing for 10 years or less.
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A description of the selection process methodology for the awards referenced is available at SuperLawyers.com
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
