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Federal Courts Signal Return to In Person Court Proceedings

by: Joseph Grather
12 May 2023
Another sign that the COVID-19 / SARS-2 pandemic is over – Reuters reported yesterday that the federal judiciary would be ending its remote access mandates come September 2023. I clearly remember when it started, the signs pasted on retail business doors – CLOSED – Will Re-open in Two Weeks. That was March 20, 2020.  Over... Read More

NYC To Use Eminent Domain For Next Phase of 2nd Avenue Subway

by: Anthony F. Della Pelle
4 May 2023
Here is some eminent domain news from across the Hudson River regarding one of the costliest railroad expansion projects per mile in the history of the world. The Metropolitan Transportation Authority (“MTA”) has begun the eminent domain process for its second phase of the long awaited Second Avenue Subway. At the April 26, 2023, the... Read More

Tax Court Judge Novin Strikes Unverified Sales

by: Thomas Olson
2 May 2023
In this recent Tax Court opinion, Lafayette Sq. Construction Co. LLC and Union Court LLC (“collectively referred to as Square”) challenged Montclair Township’s tax assessment on their unimproved properties for tax years 2020-2022. After a bench trial, the Court affirmed the assessments. Square owns contiguous properties which comprise a surface parking lot with a capacity... Read More

SCOTUS Sends Pipeline Eminent Domain Case Back to the District Court

by: Michael Realbuto
1 May 2023
  Our blog (and law firm, for that matter) is no stranger to federal pipeline eminent domain cases. Here are some of our prior blog posts about the topic for your reading pleasure. The most recent news comes from the United States Supreme Court in a matter that challenges the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission’s (“FERC”)... Read More

The City of Elizabeth to Perform its First Property Revaluation Since 1977

by: Matthew Erickson
28 Apr 2023
The City of Elizabeth, New Jersey announced on April 16, 2023, that it will be performing its first property tax revaluation since 1977, so long ago that “Gremlins”, “Pintos” and “Chevettes” were new styles of cars.  This revaluation is scheduled to be completed for the 2024 tax year, but logistical considerations may push this a... Read More

Can The Government “Keep The Change”? Tax Foreclosure Likely Taking Where It Keeps the Profits

by: Joseph Grather
27 Apr 2023
The Supreme Court heard arguments yesterday in Tyler v. Hennepin County. Full analysis of the arguments can be found on SCOTUSBLOG. It doesn’t appear that the Justices were persuaded by the government’s position that it was entitled to keep the $25,000 in excess funds received after selling Ms. Tyler’s house for payment of back taxes. ... Read More

New Jersey Property Tax Appeal Deadlines Still Open for Some Municipalities

by: Matthew Erickson
17 Apr 2023
New Jersey municipalities typically have a deadline of April 1st for property tax appeals in most years (and possibly a day or two later if the appeal deadline falls on a weekend as it did this year).  However, for some municipalities that have undergone a revaluation of all of their properties or have undergone a... Read More

JP Morgan Chase CEO Suggests Eminent Domain to Fuel Green Infrastructure Investment

by: Joseph Grather
13 Apr 2023
Jamie Dimon, Chairman and CEO of JP Morgan Chase issued his annual shareholders’ letter a few days ago. The letter is akin to a “state of the Union” address, while focusing on JP Morgan Chase’s successes of the prior year, as follows: “2022 was somewhat surprisingly another strong year for JPMorgan Chase, with the firm... Read More

“A Word of Many, Too Many Meanings….” Supreme Court Opinion Alert

by: Joseph Grather
29 Mar 2023
“Jurisdiction, this Court has observed, is a word of many, too many, meanings.” Wilkins v United States (Slip op. March 28, 2023). Well, whatever the word means, the 12-year limitations period contained in the Quiet Title Act (28 U.S.C. Sec. 2409a) is not a bar to a federal Court’s jurisdiction. Wilkins and neighbor Stanton live... Read More

One Week Left! Are You Over-Assessed?

by: Anthony F. Della Pelle
27 Mar 2023
There is only one week left until the April 3 property tax appeal filing deadline for 2023 for most towns in New Jersey. For municipalities with reassessments or revaluations put into effect this year outside Monmouth County, the filing deadline is May 1. Are you over-assessed, or even comfortable that your 2023 assessment represents your... Read More