NJ Supreme Court Rules Co-Op Board’s Leaflet Ban Violated Resident’s Free Speech Rights

In Dublirer v. 200 Linwood Avenue Owners, the Supreme Court of New Jersey recently held that a co-op’s leaflet ban was unconstitutional. In reaching its decision, the court clarified the standard to evaluate restrictions on free speech in a common-interest community like the building in this case. The Facts of

NJ Appeals Court Upholds Municipal Ban on Digital Billboards

The Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court recently held that banning digital billboards, while allowing static ones, does not violate the U.S. Constitution. The trial court had previously held that the Franklin Township ordinance violated the First Amendment. The Facts of the Case The dispute in E&J Equities

NJ Supreme Court Rules Faulkner Act Violation Warrants Award of Attorneys Fees

The New Jersey Supreme Court recently addressed the role of the clerk in determining whether referendum petitions meet the requirements of the Faulkner Act, as well the repercussions for exceeding that authority. In a precedential ruling, the panel held that the City of Hoboken Clerk lacked the discretion to prevent

NJ Supreme Court Rules Agency Properly Awarded Contract to Lowest Bidder

The Supreme Court of New Jersey recently ruled that the New Jersey Division of Property Management and Construction (Division) acted properly when it awarded a contract for the lease of office space to the lowest bidder. The state’s highest court also concluded that the Director of the Division correctly determined

NJ Supreme Court Rules Common Interest Rule Applies to OPRA Requests

The New Jersey Supreme Court recently addressed what happens when the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA) and attorney-client privilege intersect. In O’Boyle v. Borough of Longport, the state’s highest court specifically addressed the application of the common interest rule to litigation documents requested under OPRA and the common

U.S. Supreme Court Addresses First Amendment Rights of Public Employees

New Jersey municipalities should be aware of an important U.S. Supreme Court decision addressing the expanded free speech rights of public employees. In Lane v. Franks, a unanimous Court held that the First Amendment protected a public employee when he testified truthfully about fraud in the work place pursuant to

Supreme Court Cell Phone Search Decision Impacts NJ Municipalities

New Jersey municipalities should be aware of a key privacy decision issued by the U.S. Supreme Court late last month. The Court held that police officers must obtain a search warrant prior to reviewing a suspect’s cell phone, even if the search is incident to an arrest. In the digital

Third Circuit Wage and Hour Decision Impacts New Jersey Municipalities

The Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit recently issued a precedential wage and hour decision that will impact how New Jersey municipalities pay their police and fire personnel. In Rosano v. Township of Teaneck, the court held that the municipality properly applied the Sec. 207(k) partial overtime exemption under