Mitchell J. Ansell

Eleven Ansell.Law Attorneys Recognized in 2025 Edition of New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars

Ansell.Law is pleased to announce that eleven attorneys were selected for inclusion in the newly released 2025 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list.* The attorneys recognized represent several practice areas that highlight the Firm’s strengths. New this year, Seth Rosenstein and Anthony Sango are named Rising Stars for their work in business litigation matters.

Fewer than 5% of New Jersey attorneys are named to the annual Super Lawyers edition. “Rising Stars” are the legal profession’s up-and-coming attorneys, either under age 40 or practicing for ten years or less. These outstanding attorneys comprise fewer than 2.5% of New Jersey lawyers.

The attorneys appearing on the 2025 list of New Jersey Super Lawyers are:

Allison Ansell – Family Law

Mitchell Ansell – Criminal Defense

Peter Paras – Family Law

Lawrence Shapiro – Business Litigation

Andrea White – Family Law

Ansell.Law attorneys recognized as 2025 Rising Stars are:

Brian Ashnault – Business Litigation

Layne Feldman – General Litigation

Nicole Miller – General Litigation

Seth M. Rosenstein – Business Litigation

Anthony Sango – Business Litigation

Jonathan Sherman – Real Estate

*No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey or the American Bar Association.

Mitchell Ansell Obtains Not Guilty Verdict in High-Profile Case That Falsely Accused Teacher of Molesting and Grooming Middle School Student

The Firm’s Layne Feldman Continues To Pursue Defamation Claims Arising Out of Baseless Allegations

In a case that attracted both widespread media attention as well as bomb and death threats, Mitchell Ansell secured a not guilty verdict on behalf of a Marlboro middle school teacher charged with harassment for allegedly molesting one of her students. Municipal Court Judge James M. Newman’s decision, coming shortly after a contentious November 21, 2024, bench trial, completely exonerated Jenna Sciabica, whom Ansell has represented since shortly after the March 13, 2024, incident that led to the charges. Ansell.Law’s Layne Feldman is currently pursuing defamation claims on behalf of Sciabica against the female student’s parents, school staff, and other individuals who made disparaging and false allegations against her online.

Noting that Sciabica had an impeccable record as a special education teacher and had become friends with the student’s mother when she was tutoring her two brothers at their home twice a week, Ansell said that charges of harassment by inappropriate touching were baseless and should never have been brought.

“Jenna is an exemplary educator and person who did nothing inappropriate, much less illegal, in her interactions with the student. I’m pleased the judge recognized the injustice of the charges,” Ansell said.

Sciabica was accused of touching the girl’s breast in a school hallway when another teacher and students were present. As stated in Sciabica’s defamation claims, the March 13 incident, which was captured on video, was a continuation of a conversation Sciabica had at the girl’s home when the girl’s mother asked Sciabica to comment on a dress that the girl was trying on that appeared to be too big in the chest. When she saw the girl in the hallway with a teacher and students present, Sciabica spoke with her about the dress. “She tapped the student’s chest with one hand, twice,” according to Sciabaca’s filing.

As reported in the Asbury Park Press, Marlboro Detective Michael Pecararo testified at the trial that the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office reviewed the case twice, both times finding that no sexual offense was committed in the hallway that day. His investigation lasted more than a month.

Ansell argued that for Sciabica to be found guilty, the prosecution had to prove there was intent to harass when the touching incident occurred. Since there was no evidence of any conscious objective to harass, the state had not met its burden, compelling a not-guilty verdict. Within hours after the conclusion of the trial, the judge agreed.

Feldman said that the false accusations made by the student’s mother, video of which was widely circulated online and loudly echoed by others in the community, have upended Sciabica’s life and devastated her career.

“The not guilty verdict, while more than warranted and welcome, does not change the fact that the individuals behind these outrageous claims have caused Jenna irreparable harm and distress that she has had to live with and will continue to live with going forward,” Feldman said.

“Death threats, harassment, and the trauma of the entire ordeal were all foreseeable consequences of these irresponsible, unsupportable claims,” she continued. “We hope that being vindicated in this case provides Jenna with some sense of justice, but we will continue to seek accountability from those who so cavalierly shattered her life.”

2024 Edition of Super Lawyers and Rising Stars Recognizes Ansell.Law Attorneys

The 2024 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars list recognizes nine Ansell Grimm & Aaron attorneys.* Fewer than 5% of New Jersey attorneys are named to the annual Super Lawyers edition. “Rising Stars” are the legal profession’s up-and-coming attorneys, either under age 40 or practicing for ten years or less. These exceptional attorneys comprise fewer than 2.5% of New Jersey lawyers. 

The attorneys appearing on the 2024 list of New Jersey Super Lawyers are:

Allison Ansell – Family Law

Mitchell Ansell – Criminal Defense, DUI-DWI, White Collar Crimes

Lawrence Shapiro – Business Litigation

Andrea White – Family Law

Attorneys recognized as 2024 Rising Stars are:

Brian Ashnault – Business Litigation

Anthony D’Artiglio – Business Litigation, Bankruptcy

Layne Feldman – General Litigation

Nicole Miller – General Litigation, Real Estate

Jonathan Sherman – Real Estate

*No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey or the American Bar Association.

Tigger Stavola Foundation Honors Mitchell Ansell

Celebrating their 10th anniversary this year, the Tigger Stavola Foundation recently honored Shareholder Mitchell Ansell. Involved since the foundation’s 2013 inception, Mitchell was recognized for his unwavering support and efforts to increase awareness of opioid addiction’s tragic effects. Aside from his personal connection to the Stavola family, he vigorously defends parents and children affected by substance abuse when they face legal challenges. Mitchell has donated his time to educate students about underage drinking, DWI, and possession of controlled dangerous substances during prom season for nearly 20 years.

As chair of the Firm’s criminal defense department, Mitchell devotes his practice to criminal defense and municipal court defense. Over three decades of practice, he has worked with well-known clients on high-profile cases. Mitchell is a past president of the Monmouth Bar Association and actively gives his time to various local charities.

The Tigger Stavola Foundation is dedicated to combating the opioid epidemic and changing the stigma surrounding addiction. Following the devastating loss of Tigger to an accidental overdose, the Stavola family created the foundation to raise awareness and save lives in their Monmouth County community. Learn more about the organization here.

Six Ansell Grimm & Aaron PC attorneys named Super Lawyers

We are pleased to announce that six attorneys from the firm have been selected to the 2022 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists.*

Selected as Super Lawyers again this year are Allison Ansell, Mitchell J.  Ansell, and Andrea B. White.

Named as Rising Stars this year are Alfred M. Caso,  Ashley V. Whitney, and Nicole D. Miller. This is Caso’s first selection, Whitney’s second, and Miller’s fourth consecutive selection as a Rising Star.

Each year, no more than 5% of lawyers in the state are selected to the Super Lawyers list, and no more than 2.5% are selected to the Rising Stars list.

The list of New Jersey Super Lawyers is based on surveys of more than 35,000 lawyers across the state who have been licensed to practice for five years or more.

 

*No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court.

Ansell Grimm & Aaron Roundup July 2021

Mitchell Ansell Featured in Industry Magazine

NJ Criminal Defense AttorneyMitchell Ansell, Shareholder, and Chair of the Criminal Defense Department, recently was featured as a power player by Industry Magazine in their July/August 2021 issue. This inclusion provides an opportunity to more personally know a power player who prides himself on the lasting impact and positive influence he provides to clients.

Industry Magazine covers anything and everything of interest for influential tastemakers and trendsetters across New Jersey and New York, from fashion and entertainment to lifestyle and health, to travel and business. The article is available here.

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NJSBA Submits Report & Recommendations to the NJCRC

The New Jersey State Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee provided the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Commission (“CRC”) with a report and recommendations regarding the CRC’s implementation of the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act (“CREAMMA”). The report covers a broad range of topics, from macro-issues like marketplace and licensing regulations to more micro-issues related to expungements and CREAMMA’s impact on family law matters. Both Joshua Bauchner and Zachary Windham (pictured) of AGA’s Cannabis Law Practice Group, contributed to the report and recommendations. A copy of the report is available here.

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Michael Benedetto Closes on Ocean Block Lot Sale

NJ Commercial Real Estate AttorneyMichael Benedetto, Managing Partner and President of the Firm, who also serves as the Chair of the Commercial Real Estate Department and the Corporate, Finance, & Banking Department, recently served as counsel to the Seller in an off-market sale of a parcel of property that sits approximately 300 feet from the Atlantic Ocean in Long Branch, New Jersey. The property was the last parcel for an ocean block assemblage of just over 1.8 acres. The purchaser of the property was PV Motel, LLC, an affiliate of Kushner Companies, who reportedly intends to construct an oceanfront hotel on the site along with three other lots which make up the assemblage.

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Joshua Bauchner Featured in Commerce Magazine

NJ Bankruptcy AttorneyJoshua Bauchner, a shareholder who serves as both Co-Chair of the Litigation Department and head of the Cannabis Law Practice Group, was featured in the July 2021 issue of Commerce Magazine as part of the article Cannabis: A Growing Business Sector in the Garden State? Josh was one of several influential attorneys from across New Jersey asked to discuss what this budding industry means for entrepreneurs right now. Commerce Magazine is the flagship publication of the Commerce & Industry Association of New Jersey. The article is available here.x

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Ashley Whitney Files PBA Appeal with NJ Supreme Court

Ashley Whitney of AGA’s Woodland Park office recently filed an appeal with the New Jersey Supreme Court, challenging an opinion from the Appellate Division which upheld the termination of a police officer with no prior discipline for alleged violations of the Criminal Justice Information System through his use of full-disclosure vehicle registration searches despite the police department’s failure to identify a single full-disclosure search conducted without justification.

The Appellate Division’s decision may have a lasting impact upon the law enforcement community as the performance of searches by police has not been significantly addressed by New Jersey Courts since the decision in State v. Donis, 157 N.J. 44 (1998).

The decision is especially pertinent to the issues facing police as it comes on the heels of the Supreme Court’s decision in the matter of In re AG Law Enf’t Directive Nos. 2020-5 & 2020-6, 2021 N.J. LEXIS 486 (June 7, 2021), which upheld the New Jersey Attorney General’s Directives requiring the release of the names of police officers who receive major discipline.

Seth Rosenstein Appointed as FINRA Arbitrator

Seth Rosenstein of AGA’s Woodland Park and White Plains offices was recently appointed a FINRA Dispute Resolution Services Arbitrator. Having practiced in all aspects of securities class action litigation before state and federal courts throughout the United States, as well as representing Fortune 500 financial services companies in arbitration actions brought before FINRA arbitration panels, Mr. Rosenstein will now hear disputes subject to FINRA jurisdiction — which will supplement his unique perspective and experience representing aggrieved investors and financial services professionals. FINRA representation is one component to Mr. Rosenstein’s multi-disciplined practice, which continues to include commercial litigation, cannabis law, and disputes concerning real estate and home improvement contractors.

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Roy Hibberd Counsels Insurance Company Acquisition

Roy Hibberd, corporate counsel in the firm’s Ocean office, recently provided legal counsel to McCue Captains Agency of Little Silver, NJ, in its acquisition by World Insurance Associates LLC. The acquisition was announced on July 1, 2021. As a Top 100 Insurance Brokerage, World Insurance Associates’ acquisition will provide McCue the opportunity to expand their national presence while continuing to provide personalized services in Property, Liability, Life and Benefits insurances for both businesses and individuals.

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Jennifer Krimko Helps Hillel Win Expansion Approval

New Jersey Real Estate AttorneyJennifer S. Krimko, Esq., Co-Chair of the Firm’s Land Use and Zoning Department, recently secured approval for an expansion of the Hillel School campus in Ocean Township, as well as the construction of a new, state-of-the-art firehouse for the Township’s Fire District, at no cost to the taxpayers. The approval includes the construction of: a new, approximately 56,613 square-foot, three-story high school building; approximately 15,872 square foot addition to the school’s early learning center building; and approximately 6,725 square-foot, new fire station building. Additionally, construction of tennis courts, a basketball court, new parking, drainage structures, landscaping, and related site improvements were also approved.

You can view the video of the Board’s decision, including a digital rendering of the expanded facility here.

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Cannabis CLEs

On July 22 Joshua Bauchner participated as an invited speaker for a webinar hosted by the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Cannabis Law Committee. The webinar, The Ins and Outs of Licensing of Recreational Cannabis Businesses in New Jersey, addressed the parameters set out by the New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory Enforcement Assistance, and Marketplace Modernization Act (“CREAMMA”) and what those parameters mean for potential licensees.
The panel discussed the six classes of licensure, microbusinesses, impact zones, municipal land use, and anticipated regulations from the Cannabis Regulatory Commission (“CRC”).
Josh also moderated a CLE on August 5, 2021, as part of the NJ Society of CPA’s day-long Cannabis Conference. The panel will discuss “The Legal Lifecycle of a Cannabis Business.”

Ansell Grimm & Aaron is Hiring

Ansell Grimm & Aaron PC is seeking a Law Clerk to work in our Real Estate Department. For more information or to apply, please visit us on LinkedIn .

 

Peers recognize quality work of AGA Attorneys

Four AGA lawyers have been named to the 2016 New Jersey Super Lawyers list and two AGA lawyers have been named to the 2016 New Jersey Rising Stars List.*

The AGA 2016 Super Lawyers are:

  • Allison Ansell Ryan, a partner with the firm and Chair of the AGA Family Law Department, has been named as a Family Law Super Lawyer for the past decade.
  • Mitchell J. Ansell, a partner with the firm and Chair of the AGA Criminal Defense Department, has been named as a Super Lawyer in Criminal Defense for over a decade.
  • Robert A. Honecker, Jr., a partner with the firm and member of the Criminal Defense Department, has been named as a Criminal Defense Super Lawyer numerous times.
  • Mark M. Wiechnik, a partner with the firm and a member of AGA’s Community Association Practice Group, has previously been named a New Jersey Rising Star in Construction Litigation and this year has been named a Super Lawyer in the same practice area.

The AGA 2016 Rising Stars are:

  • Jay B. Feldman, an associate with the firm and a member of AGA’s Litigation and Bankruptcy Departments, has been a Rising Star in the Bankruptcy: Business practice area for two years.
  • Richard B. Linderman, a partner with the firm and a member of AGA’s Community Association Practice Group, has been named a Rising Star for the past seven years in the Real Estate practice area.

Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The selection process includes independent research, peer nominations, and peer evaluations. Michael V. Benedetto, Managing Partner of AGA, stated, “We are proud of our attorneys who achieved this honor from Super Lawyers. It is a special honor to have received the recognition from peers.”

For more than 85 years, AGA has grown to represent clients throughout the tristate area via offices in Ocean, New Jersey, Woodland Park, New Jersey, White Plains, New York, Princeton, New Jersey, and Newtown, Pennsylvania. AGA attorneys are dedicated to providing excellent legal representation by providing zealous advocacy and skilled legal advice to our diverse clientele. AGA attorneys all practice with a common philosophy, Commitment to Excellence and Commitment to People.

For more information on AGA, please contact Michael V. Benedetto, Esquire at 732-643-5216 or via email at [email protected]

 


*No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey or the American Bar Association. Any reference to Super Lawyers or Rising Stars is not intended to suggest that our attorneys are superior to other attorneys.

The above is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Transmission of the materials and information contained herein is not intended to create, and receipt thereof does not constitute formation of, an attorney-client relationship.

AGA Attorneys named in Super Lawyers Magazine

Congratulations to Richard B. Ansell, Esq., Mitchell J. Ansell, Esq., Allison Ansell Ryan, Esq., Robert A. Honecker, Jr., Esq. and Greg Gargulinski, Esq. (Rising Star) for being named in New Jersey Super Lawyers Magazine.  Super Lawyers rates outstanding attorneys who obtain a high degree of professional achievement and peer recognition.  Over the years, Ansell Grimm & Aaron, P.C. has had numerous attorneys recognized in this magazine, but none more than Mitchell J. Ansell, Esq. who has been named for the 10th year!  Congratulations again!

Community Partnership Award

Congratulations to Mitchell J. Ansell, Esq. who will be receiving the 2014 Community Partnership Award presented by the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association, Local #308 at the Shrewsbury Inaugural Benevolent Ball on Friday, May 16th, 2014 at the Shadowbrook in Shrewsbury.