In the News

Kearns Rotolo Law is pleased to announce that Anthony P. Kearns, Esq. was selected for membership to The National Trial Lawyers: Criminal Defense - Top 100 Trial Lawyers in the State of New Jersey.

The honor is extended only to the top 100 attorneys in each State or region who demonstrate qualifications of skill, leadership, and reputation as criminal defense attorneys. Selection is based on a multi-phase process which includes peer nominations combined with third-party research. Membership into the National Trial Lawyers provides recognition to these attorneys and provides essential legal news, information, networking, and continuing education to trial lawyers across the United States.

More information about methodology and selection criteria can be found on the National Trial Lawyers website.

Victor Rotolo, Charles Rifici, and Christopher Vaccaro Named to Thomson Reuters' 2023 Lists

Kearns Rotolo Law is pleased to announce that Victor Rotolo was named to the list of NJ Super Lawyers for the 18th consecutive year in 2023 and attorneys Charles Rifici and Christopher Vaccaro were named to the NJ 2023 Rising Stars list. This is the 7th consecutive year of selection for Charles and the 1st year of selection for Christopher.

The Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists are published by Thomson Reuters and methodology for selection may be found at: Super Lawyers Selection Methodology. [No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court.]

We are pleased to announce that Christopher Vaccaro, former Hunterdon County Assistant Prosecutor, has joined the Firm.

In addition to concentrating on criminal defense and DUI, Chris will handle cases involving domestic violence, municipal court matters, and motor vehicle violations.

We are confident Chris will be a great asset to our Firm.

For more information, click "Christopher Vaccaro Joins Kearns Rotolo Law."

Kearns Rotolo Law is pleased to announce that Victor Rotolo was named to the list of NJ Super Lawyers for the 17th consecutive year in 2022 and attorney Charles Rifici was named to the NJ 2022 Rising Stars list for the sixth consecutive year.

The Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists are published by Thomson Reuters and methodology for selection may be found at: Super Lawyers Selection Methodology. [No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court.]

We are pleased to announce Robert B. Reed, former Presiding Judge in the Superior Court of New Jersey, has joined the Firm as Of Counsel.

In addition to providing assistance to the Firm's clients, Judge Reed will serve as mediator/arbitrator, special discovery master, and consultant to individuals and organizations.

We are honored to welcome Judge Reed to our Firm.

For more information, click "Robert B. Reed Joins Kearns Rotolo Law."

We are pleased to announce that Anthony Kearns and Victor Rotolo will combine their practices, effective January 1, 2022 to form the law firm of KEARNS ROTOLO LAW.

We will have 8 lawyers who will provide our clients a broad range of services and experienced legal talent. Each of our lawyers is committed to delivering the same high quality, personalized and dedicated service.

Our lawyers are licensed to practice law in New Jersey and Pennsylvania and before various federal and state courts. We actively serve in many professional organizations, and our lawyers are highly ranked by our peers.

Anthony Kearns has practiced law for 24 years and served as the Hunterdon County Prosecutor for 8 years. Victor Rotolo has been practicing law for 40 years and has been named to the New Jersey Super Lawyers list for 16 consecutive years. He has also been a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2002 and the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2016. Please visit our New Jersey Disclaimer Page - Award Methodology.[No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court.]

Our experience, integrity and commitment to your needs, which have been a hallmark of our practices, will continue. We will continue to focus on litigation, family law, criminal law and personal injury law. We are dedicated to providing thoughtful, practical solutions to the complex problems faced by our clients, with the same devotion to the excellent personal and timely service that you have come to expect from our lawyers.

We are excited by this development and hope you will join us in celebrating this milestone.

Victor Rotolo has once again maintained the Peer Review Rating of "AV" by Martindale-Hubbell. This marks the 25th consecutive year he has been so rated. The rating of "AV" is awarded to lawyers based on their peers' review of their skill, knowledge and ethical standards. Click on Victor's Martindale-Hubbell profile for more information.

Kearns Rotolo Law is pleased to announce that Victor Rotolo was named to the list of NJ Super Lawyers for the 16th consecutive year in 2021 and attorney Charles Rifici was named to the NJ 2021 Rising Stars list for the fifth consecutive year.

For more information, click "Kearns Rotolo Law Super Lawyers News."

The Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists are published by Thomson Reuters and methodology for selection may be found at: Super Lawyers Selection Methodology. [No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court.]

Victor Rotolo Selected for Membership to National Trial Lawyers: Top 100

Kearns Rotolo Law is pleased to announce that Victor Rotolo was selected for membership to The National Trial Lawyers: Top 100 Trial Lawyers for 2021.

Selection is based on a multi-phase process which includes peer nominations combined with third-party research. Membership is extended only to a select few attorneys from each state or region who demonstrate qualifications of leadership, reputation, influence, stature and public profile.

Victor Rotolo's daughter, Liz Rotolo, and fellow North Hunterdon High School alumni, Jenna Ferriera, recently started a volunteer delivery service called, Save Our Seniors of Hunterdon County.

The pair, along with 40 volunteers, coordinate the delivery of groceries to seniors in the Hunterdon County area. See "Save Our Seniors"for more information.

Kearns Rotolo Law is pleased to announce that Victor Rotolo was named to the list of NJ Super Lawyers for the 17th consecutive year in 2022 and attorney Charles Rifici was named to the NJ 2020 Rising Stars list for the fourth consecutive year.

“I am honored to be recognized by the Thomson Reuters organization and I congratulate Charles on his recognition. This achievement underscores the faith and trust our colleagues and clients place in our abilities to handle even the most complex legal matters,” said Victor Rotolo.

The Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists are published by Thomson Reuters and methodology for selection may be found at: Super Lawyers Selection Methodology. [No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court.]

Very few lawyers ever have an opportunity to argue before our State's highest court. Victor Rotolo has argued and won three cases before the New Jersey Supreme Court. In the latest case he argued, decided on August 7, 2019, Victor prevailed against the State Attorney General's Office and the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office in a 7-0 unanimous ruling.

In a case of constitutional import, the Supreme Court ruled that a DUI conviction cannot be used in any later DUI case for sentencing purposes if:

• The individual plead or was found guilty and
• The individual was not advised of his/her right to counsel and, as to indigent individuals, the right to assigned counsel.

Mr. Rotolo’s client was facing a certain jail sentence. However, he fought the case all the way through the Appellate Courts and up to the New Jersey Supreme Court and won, saving his client from the indignity and horror of incarceration.

Charles Rifici (l), Victor Rotolo (m) recently enjoyed a day of golf, participating in the Clinton Township Fraternal Order of Police 2019 Golf Outing fundraiser.

As a former police officer, Victor A. Rotolo knows how important organizations like the Fraternal Order of Police are to local communities. The Firm was happy to participate and help raise funds with this very worthy association.

Police Departments have been using dogs to assist their officers in various duties since the Middle Ages. With their innate abilities and proper training, these dogs are able to perform certain tasks more efficiently and accurately than humans; because of this, they often reduce the risks to their fellow officers. That’s why when the opportunity to help Clinton Township acquire and train its Police Department’s newest K-9 unit, Kearns Rotolo Law gladly contributed.

As a former police officer with the Elizabeth, NJ Police Department, Victor Rotolo understands how dangerous the job can be. Anything that helps reduce risks to the police officers ultimately allows them to perform their jobs more efficiently, increasing the overall safety of their community.

“Kearns Rotolo Law is thankful for the opportunity to help defray the cost of training K-9 Tapko and his handler Sgt. John Tiger as Clinton Township’s new K-9 unit,” Victor said. “K-9 dogs help perform certain law enforcement tasks more effectively and protect their fellow officers. Their training can be costly, but the benefits a K-9 unit brings to the department are invaluable.”

The Kearns Rotolo Law team wishes Clinton’s new K-9 unit a warm welcome.

Kearns Rotolo Law is pleased to announce that Victor Rotolo was named to the list of NJ Super Lawyers for the 14th consecutive year in 2019 and attorney Charles Rifici was named to the NJ 2019 Rising Stars list for the third consecutive year. For more information, click "Kearns Rotolo Law Super Lawyers News."

The Super Lawyers and Rising Stars lists are published by Thomson Reuters and methodology for selection may be found at: Super Lawyers Selection Methodology. [No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court.]

Victor Rotolo has once again maintained the Peer Review Rating of "AV" by Martindale-Hubbell. This marks the 23rd consecutive year he has been so rated. The rating of "AV" is awarded to lawyers based on their peers' review of their skill, knowledge and ethical standards. Click on Victor's Martindale-Hubbell profile for more information.

In 2019, Victor A. Rotolo again received the Gold Client Champion award from Martindale-Hubbell. According to Martindale-Hubbell, this recognition is "based on the quantity and quality of an attorney's Martindale-Hubbell client reviews, [and] demonstrates an ongoing commitment to delivering excellent client service." Click on Victor's Martindale-Hubbell profile for more information.

Kearns Rotolo Law continues to lend its support to local youth organizations.

We are happy to join in support of the Hunterdon Huskies, an organization whose goals are "...sportsmanship, honesty, loyalty, courage, and reverance so that each youth may be finer, stronger, happier, and grow to be confident and strong contributors to our community."

Please join us in congratulating Shannon Powelson of Voorhees High School and Leanna Brook Schultz of North Hunterdon High School as the recipients of the 2018 Kearns Rotolo Law scholarship.

The goal of the scholarship is to recognize the accomplishments of a field hockey player who excelled in the classroom while demonstrating outstanding sportsmanship, exemplary attitude, and dedication to the sport.

We are proud to recognize Shannon and Leanna's accomplishments and wish them well in all their future endeavors.

Victor Rotolo was selected to the list of "NJ's Best Lawyers for Families," which was announced in the April 2018 issue of "New Jersey Family" magazine. Attorneys selected to this list are chosen by NJ Family parents and readers who complete a survey nominating attorneys "who made a difference in their family's lives during trying times."

The Firm's Family Law Blog has been named to the "Top Family Law Blogs" list by Feedspot.com. Our bi-monthly blog ranked 29 out of the top 80 Family Law blogs and 64 out of the top 80 Divorce blogs.

The blog covers topics pertaining to all aspects of Family Law including divorce, child custody, spousal and child support, property distribution, high net-worth divorce, and grandparents' rights.

As a former police officer-turned-lawyer, Attorney Victor Rotolo has a unique perspective on the recent civil unrest involving law enforcement personnel across the country. Mr. Rotolo's comments, along with those of others who share his background, can be found in the "New Jersey Law Journal" July 11, 2016 article titled, "After 'Horrible Week,' Cops-Turned-Lawyers in NJ and Beyond Talk Justice, Race."

Victor A. Rotolo is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney.

"A certified attorney is more than just an attorney who specializes in a particular area of law. A New Jersey attorney who is certified by the Supreme Court as a civil trial attorney must have:

• been a member in good standing of the New Jersey bar for over 5 years
• demonstrated a substantial level of experience in civil trial law
• been favorably evaluated by other attorneys and judges familiar with his or her work
• taken and passed a written examination in civil trial law."

Source: Supreme Court of New Jersey, Board on Attorney Certification, Brochure on Certified Civil Trial Attorney. See Rule 1:39: Specialty Certification of Attorneys.

In 2016 Victor A. Rotolo became a member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum. He has been a member of the Million Dollar Advocates Forum since 2002. The Million Dollar Advocates Forum members are attorneys who have won verdicts and settlements in the amount of one million dollars and above. Members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum have won multi-million dollar settlements and verdicts. [No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court.]

Victor Rotolo was quoted in a blog article dated 12/3/2014. Click "State Looks to Stiffen DUI Penalties" to read the full article.

Victor Rotolo, attorney for the former Director of the Hunterdon Humane Animal Shelter, states that his client's arrest on animal cruelty charges were part of an "outrageous attack" by the NJSPCA to gain control of the shelter's $5 million in assets. Read more about Hunterdon Humane Animal Shelter Story.

In an August 22, 2014 Star Ledger article entitled, " The animals at the SPCA are getting their ears pinned back," columnist Paul Mulshine reports on the key victory Victor A. Rotolo won on behalf of his client, Humane Animal Shelter Director Theresa "Tee" Carlson.

On September 29, 2012, Victor Rotolo presented “Persuasion from the beginning of the case to verdict or settlement – civility, reputation, preparation, preparation, and preparation” at the “Hot Tips for Civil Litigators” Seminar offered by the New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE), a Division of the New Jersey State Bar Association. Read more about the New Jersey Supreme Court’s requirement for continuing legal education for all New Jersey State attorneys.

North Hunterdon Little League
during the 2012 season

Immaculate Conception School
on its 10th Anniversary

In an article dated January 5, 2012, Matt Friedman, Statehouse Bureau reported on the Assembly panel approval of a bill that removes the State's two-year statute of limitations for lawsuits for child sexual abuse. Victor Rotolo's 2008 landmark case paved the way for this change. Read Matt Friedman's article.

Mr. Rotolo was honored to join a panel of esteemed Judges and Attorneys from around the country invited to judge the Sixteenth Annual Yale Mock Trial Invitational held on December 3 and 4, 2011. The Invitational featured a field of 40 teams from colleges and universities around the country. Mock Trial is an undergraduate activity designed to emulate a jury trial. College students from schools around the country compete as both attorneys and witnesses present a fictional case to an attorney-judge. Students devote a significant amount of time and energy into preparing these cases. More information about the Yake Mock Trial Association.

In June 2011, Victor Rotolo joined the Board of Directors at the Anderson House. With a success rate of 78-84%, Anderson House is a well-respected halfway house program serving women from all New Jersey counties. Dedicated to providing quality treatment, Anderson House supports women as they develop the necessary goals and life skills to return to the community as responsible, sober and productive individuals. Additional information on the Anderson House.

Victor Rotolo was invited to teach and judge at this eight-day, intensive trial advocacy training program that introduced law school students to the skills needed for effective court advocacy. Mr. Rotolo has been honored to be a judge at the Hofstra School of Law Program for seven years. More information on Hofstra School of Law.

After serving as a member in 2008-2009 and then as Vice-Chair in 2009-2010, Victor Rotolo was appointed as Chair of the Supreme Court of New Jersey District XIII Ethics Committee in 2010. The district ethics committee reviews all grievances filed against attorneys and if it believes an attorney has acted unethically, it will file a formal complaint and hold a hearing, with resulting possible sanctions ranging from a reprimand or suspension to complete disbarment. For more information on the New Jersey Courts.

Mr. Rotolo was honored to serve on the Board of Trustees of Union County College for ten years. The Board members worked to undertake activities for the general benefit of Union County College, its students, faculty, staff, facilities and programs that supported and advanced the mission of the College. Visit Union County College's website.

Victor A. Rotolo won a landmark sexual abuse case before the New Jersey Supreme Court on behalf of his client known as "R.L." in 2008. Now two years later that ruling set the stage for a legislative change to New Jersey's Sexual Abuse Law. If the pending bill passes, a victim of abuse will no longer have to file a lawsuit within a two-year statute of limitations of when the victim knew he or she was abused and connects that abuse to his or her injuries. The victim may sue his or her abuser or a parent or guardian if the parent or guardian knew about the sexual abuse and allowed the sexual abuse to occur. In the following two radio clips, CBS News interviews Victor A. Rotolo.

Victor A. Rotolo obtained the landmark decision and won an important victory for victims of sexual abuse when he represented a man referred to as R.L. in a 2008 lawsuit. That case set a precedent in New Jersey when Victor and R.L. fought all the way to the NJ Supreme Court. Now, two years later, that same court decision was the basis for the NJ Senate's proposing a bill that would change the statute of limitations for sexually abused children. More...
Previous Coverage

"R.L.," a 26-year-old man, who was allegedly sexually abused by his stepfather at the age of 10, had to fight his way to the NJ Supreme Court to get his case heard. Victor Rotolo successfully represented R.L. in this case and now the legislature is poised to change the law as a result.

The New Jersey Senate will consider relaxing the limits on sex abuse lawsuits filed in the State of New Jersey. The bill that is before the NJ Senate continues to allow a victim of abuse the ability to sue his or her abuser or to sue a parent or a guardian if the parent or guardian knew about the sexual abuse and allowed the sexual abuse to occur. However, at present, a victim has only two years to sue once they become aware of the damage caused by the abuse. It is this statue of limitations that is being reviewed on Thursday. More...

Victor A Rotolo successfully argued and won the case of Pfenninger v. Hunterdon Central High School before the NJ Supreme Court. This was a leading construction negligence case that was litigated over a period of eight years. The construction worker's widow and her children were awarded a 7-figure settlement. More...

The state's highest court yesterday upheld a statue of limitations law that determines when victims of childhood sexual abuse can bring charges against their alleged abusers. More...

In addition to serving as the Chair of the above aforementioned Committees, Mr. Rotolo will serve as a member of the Civil Practice Committee and the Judicial and Prosecutorial Appointments Committee. Additionally, other members of the firm will serve on the following Committees: Ryan Melsky: Membership/New Lawyers/Young Lawyers Committee.

Dunscombe v. Nevis: A disabled cancer patient who claimed her condition worsened after a crash with a landscaper's truck accepted an $895,000 settlement on July 10. More...

Winecker v. Estate of Heritage: The estate of a dump-truck driver who died in a two-vehicle crash in Hunterdon County paid $790,000 on Nov. 25 to the other driver, who suffered disabling orthopedic and intestinal injuries. More...

HAMPTON - A civil suit against a borough couple regarding the death of an infant they were babysitting has been dismissed. More...