In a case of first impression, the United States Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit ruled that “liking” something on Facebook is a form of speech protected by the First Amendment. Bland v. Roberts, Docket No. No. 12-1671 (4th Cir., September 18, 2013) Defendant, B.J. Roberts, was the Sheriff of the City of Hampton,.. read more →

We are pleased to announce that attorney Eric A. Carosia, Esq. has joined Vanarelli & Li, LLC. Eric graduated in 2005 from Ithaca College with a B.S. in Business Administration: Marketing/Finance. He earned his J.D. in 2012 from Rutgers School of Law-Newark, where he served on the Moot Court Executive Board and focused his elective.. read more →

As the U.S. Court of Appeals, 2nd Circuit, held in Lopes v. Dep’t of Social Services, 696 F.3d 180 (2d Cir. 2012) and the U.S. Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit, held in James v. Richman, 547 F.3d 214 (3d Cir. 2008) when resolving the same issue, the U.S. Court of Appeals, 8th Circuit, has now.. read more →

New Jersey appellate court ruled that the state can reduce a Medicaid recipient’s allocated hours of private duty nursing [PDN] because the care he received from his school district and his mother limited the state’s duty to provide services. M.F v. Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services, (N.J.Sup.Ct.App.Div., No. A-1790-11T2, Aug. 21, 2013). M.F… read more →

Chen Li has been associated with the Law Office of Donald Vanarelli since 2007.  Chen was born in Shanghai, China.  After completing high school in China, she immigrated to New York in the late 80’s.  Chen earned a B.A. from Queens College, City University of New York, Flushing, New York.  She obtained her J.D. from.. read more →

In an interesting case of first impression, the New Jersey Appellate Division held that the sender of a text message can potentially be liable if an accident is caused by texting if the sender of the text knew or had special reason to know that the recipient would view the text while driving and thus.. read more →

In an Initial Decision of the New Jersey Office of Administrative Law, Administrative Law Judge Laura Sanders held that transfers by a Medicaid applicant to her adult disabled children were exempt transfers that did not subject the Medicaid applicant to a penalty period. M.K. v. Division of Medical Assistance and Health Services and Somerset County Board.. read more →

In an August 29, 2013 unpublished decision, the Appellate Division considered and affirmed the trial court’s denial of a nursing home’s motion to dismiss a personal injury and wrongful death claim brought by the estate of a former resident. Levonas v. Regency Heritage Nursing and Rehabilitation Center (Docket No. A-4995-11T4, Aug. 29, 2013). In Levonas, the.. read more →

The New Jersey Supreme Court ruled that a settlement that is reached at mediation but not reduced to a written agreement signed by the parties before the mediation ends will not be enforceable. Willingboro Mall v Franklin Ave LLC, Docket No. A-62-11 (N.J., August 15, 2013) Willingboro Mall, LTD (Willingboro), the owner of the Willingboro.. read more →

An “advance medical directive” (also known as a “health care advance directive” or “instruction directive”) is a written statement made by the patient concerning future health care wishes. Advance directives consist of two parts: a “living will” and a “health care proxy” (a “health care power of attorney”). A living will is a document in.. read more →