Practice Areas

Resolve Disputes Outside of the Courtroom ShapiroCroland’s Alternative Dispute Resolution practice serves the increasing need and desire of its individual and corporate clients to resolve their legal and personal disputes outside of the courtroom.  Alternative Dispute Resolution, commonly referred to as ADR, supplements traditional litigation in the state and federal courts, emphasizing cost-effective resolution of disputes, often providing more expeditious results with much less risk and distress than is occasioned by traditional forms of litigation.  ADR provides efficiency, economy, flexibility and confidentiality in a less adversarial forum which is conducive to maintaining ongoing relationships between the parties. While parties to a dispute can always agree to ADR as a means to resolve their disputes, in many instances ADR may be required by contract or law as the only means by which parties may pursue and resolve their claims.  Whether use of ADR is voluntary or obligatory, ShapiroCroland’s attorneys have significant experience in all aspects of ADR with the proven know how to utilize the dispute resolution process strategically to the advantage of their clients’ particular needs. At ShapiroCroland, working to resolve disputes with the use of ADR, either to the exclusion of or as a supplement to, traditional modes of

Appellate Advocacy Complementing ShapiroCroland litigation capabilities at the trial court level is an appellate litigation practice that is experienced, strategic and comprehensive in furtherance of its commitment to effective appellate advocacy. The dedicated attorneys at ShapiroCroland work diligently and efficiently for our clients on complex and sophisticated issues of the law before federal and state appellate judges at all levels. The benchmarks of our appellate practice are extensive knowledge of appellate practice and procedure, a command of the trial court and appellate record, comprehensive and thorough legal research, persuasive brief writing, compelling oral advocacy and the ability to focus arguments and outcomes to the client’s particular interests. Our extensive appellate experience allows for unique judgment in assessing which matters are best suited for appeal. We have enjoyed success both in pursuing appeals as well as defending appeals filed against our clients. Our appellate practice and experience also frequently involves taking over the appellate representation of a client that employed other counsel at the trial level. Our appellate attorneys capitalize on the firm’s diversity in practice, legal knowledge and experience and routinely consult and include ShapiroCroland attorneys with expertise in the substantive law at issue on appeal. Our attorneys handle a

Complex bankruptcy ShapiroCroland bankruptcy and creditors’ rights practice is renowned for its ability to handle virtually all aspects of complex commercial and individual bankruptcy matters and bankruptcy litigation. We have extensive experience representing debtors, creditors, trustees and other interested parties in such varied matters as complex Chapter 11 reorganizations, business liquidations, out of court workouts and bankruptcy litigation matters. In addition, members of our firm have been selected by state court judges as receivers, provisional directors and fiscal agents of numerous entities. With regard to our representation of debtors, we assist individuals and financially troubled business entities in evaluating their options. We are involved with asset sales, debtor-in-possession and other financing and debt restructuring. Our experience and understanding of the bankruptcy laws enables our attorneys to provide sound advice to its clients and enables our clients to fully evaluate the risks, benefits, challenges and opportunities available in restructuring proceedings. Our attorneys work closely with our clients to assist in determining whether bankruptcy furthers their long-term and short-term goals and in implementing their objectives. With regard to our representation of creditors, ShapiroCroland is routinely requested to assist unsecured and secured creditors, including landlords, trade creditors, institutional lenders, vendors and ex-spouses, in

Protecting Your Business Through Strategic Legal Solutions In today’s complex commercial landscape, disputes are an inevitable part of doing business. At ShapiroCroland, our Business Litigation practice is dedicated to safeguarding your company’s interests and guiding you through the challenges of commercial conflict with strategic, results-driven legal solutions. We understand that litigation can be disruptive, costly, and time-consuming, which is why our approach emphasizes both aggressive advocacy and strategic counsel tailored to your business objectives. Our experienced litigators represent businesses of all sizes, from startups to multinational corporations, across a wide range of industries. We handle disputes involving breach of contract, partnership and shareholder disagreements, business torts, fraud claims, intellectual property rights, employment disputes, and more. No matter the complexity or scope, we work diligently to protect your assets, reputation, and long-term success. At ShapiroCroland, we believe in proactive legal strategies that mitigate risk and resolve disputes efficiently. Whether through negotiation, mediation, arbitration, or courtroom litigation, our attorneys are skilled in identifying the most effective path to resolution. We recognize that some matters require assertive courtroom advocacy, while others are best settled through alternative dispute resolution to minimize disruption and expense. Our cross-disciplinary team collaborates seamlessly, leveraging deep industry knowledge and

Trailblazing Legal Strategy Shapiro, Croland, Reiser, Apfel & Di Iorio, LLP is a trailblazer of legal strategies and services for the developing cannabis industry. The Chair of our Cannabis Law Group, Eric Reiser, has been counseling clients in the cannabis industry since 2016. Eric’s initial involvement in the cannabis legal space involved his representation of a Canadian company in a theft of trade secret lawsuit seeking a temporary restraining order to enjoin a NJ company from proceeding with its Medical Cannabis themed ETF before the Securities and Exchange Commission. Eric was one of the first lawyers in New Jersey serving the cannabis and hemp industry and currently provides legal services to businesses of all sizes, from multi-state operators to early stage startups. Our attorneys are known for their creative solutions to complex problems and leverage this skill set to help clients succeed in the competitive cannabis marketplace. Our firm has extensive experience with a variety of issues relevant to the cannabis industry including: general business counseling, industry due diligence, land use and zoning, corporate formation, FDA compliance, crafting operational policies, corporate governance and structure, intellectual property, litigation, banking and finance, real estate issues, compliance and regulatory matters, and state/local licensing.

Navigating Complex Legal Disputes with Precision and Expertise At ShapiroCroland, our Chancery Litigation practice is dedicated to resolving intricate business and commercial disputes that demand specialized legal insight. Chancery litigation involves complex issues of corporate governance, fiduciary duties, shareholder rights, and other high-stakes matters typically heard in the Chancery Division of the New Jersey Superior Court. Our team is uniquely equipped to handle these sophisticated cases with the strategic precision and meticulous attention to detail they require. Chancery matters often involve requests for equitable relief—such as injunctions, restraining orders, and specific performance—where time is of the essence. We understand the urgency and complexity of these disputes and act swiftly to protect our clients’ interests. Our attorneys have extensive experience representing corporations, partnerships, shareholders, directors, and officers in cases involving breaches of fiduciary duty, shareholder oppression, corporate dissolutions, restrictive covenants, and trade secret misappropriation. Our approach to chancery litigation is both proactive and strategic. We work closely with our clients to understand their business objectives and tailor legal strategies that align with those goals. Whether pursuing or defending against claims, we leverage our in-depth knowledge of corporate law and equitable remedies to craft compelling arguments and achieve favorable outcomes. Our litigators

Corporate Transactions ShapiroCroland corporate practice offers clients a combination of comprehensive legal expertise and practical business counseling that enables our clients to set goals, analyze, evaluate and find solutions, and achieve the desired results no matter the nature or complexity of their business transactions. Whether acting as general or special counsel, we advise our clients on a wide variety of issues affecting commercial, financial, and industrial enterprises. Our clientele includes publicly traded companies, closely held family businesses, small-sized and medium-sized businesses, nonprofit organizations, investment companies, trade associations and individuals. We provide counsel throughout all stages of the corporate cycle, ranging from those that are in start-up mode to those that are winding down. In addition to a focus on transactions for New York and New Jersey area based clients, we are often called upon to handle transactions or act as local counsel regarding various aspects of complex business transactions of out-of-state corporate clients. We are often called upon to support in-house corporate counsel on complex matters requiring our varied areas of expertise. Our existing corporate client base is engaged in a broad range of industries, including banking, real estate development, real estate management, manufacturing, retailing, wholesale distribution, various high-tech enterprises

Local Law Experience The experience of the attorneys at ShapiroCroland in the area of local government law spans more than forty years. During that time, the firm and its members have acted as general and special counsel to municipalities and planning and zoning boards. Our experience is equally expansive in the representation of local government officials and boards in matters relating to their public charge. The breadth of our experience in local government law is evidenced by the numerous published, landmark court decisions in the area in which ShapiroCroland and its members have participated, and by the personal involvement of attorneys at ShapiroCroland as members of, or counsel to, government entities. Land Use and Zoning ShapiroCroland has extensive experience in the most visible areas of municipal practice – land use regulation and zoning matters. Our attorneys regularly represent private clients at all levels of the land use process, including permit and plan applications before municipal administrators and zoning officers, quasi-judicial proceedings before municipal governing bodies, rent leveling, zoning and planning boards, and litigation before state and federal trial and appellate courts. We have prepared and handled land use applications for a wide variety of uses, including large residential subdivisions, commercial

Resolving Estate Disputes with Compassion and Precision At ShapiroCroland, our Probate Litigation practice is dedicated to guiding clients through the complexities of estate and trust disputes with both legal expertise and sensitivity. We understand that conflicts over wills, trusts, and estates often arise during emotionally challenging times, which is why we approach each case with compassion, discretion, and a focus on achieving efficient, favorable outcomes. Our experienced attorneys represent beneficiaries, heirs, fiduciaries, executors, trustees, and other interested parties in a wide range of probate disputes. These matters include will contests, trust disputes, claims of undue influence, breaches of fiduciary duty, contested accountings, asset mismanagement, and disputes over guardianships and conservatorships. Whether you are defending or challenging the administration of an estate, our team provides strategic counsel tailored to your unique circumstances. Probate litigation requires a nuanced understanding of both legal complexities and family dynamics. Our attorneys combine deep knowledge of estate law with skilled negotiation and litigation techniques to resolve disputes efficiently and effectively. We are adept at identifying opportunities for resolution through mediation or settlement but are equally prepared to advocate assertively in court when necessary. At ShapiroCroland, we prioritize protecting our clients’ interests while preserving family relationships whenever

Defending Professionals with Strategic and Effective Legal Representation At ShapiroCroland, our Professional Liability practice is dedicated to defending professionals and organizations facing claims of negligence, misconduct, or malpractice. We understand that professional liability disputes not only threaten reputations but can also have significant financial and operational consequences. Our attorneys provide comprehensive and strategic legal defense to safeguard our clients’ professional standing and business interests. We represent a broad spectrum of professionals, including attorneys, accountants, architects, engineers, financial advisors, healthcare providers, and corporate officers, among others. Our team handles claims involving professional malpractice, breach of fiduciary duty, errors and omissions, negligence, misrepresentation, and regulatory violations. We recognize the unique challenges professionals face and tailor our defense strategies to address the specific nuances of each industry and claim. Our approach is proactive and client-focused. We work closely with our clients to thoroughly assess the circumstances surrounding each claim, identify potential risks, and develop defense strategies that align with their professional goals. Our attorneys are skilled negotiators, often resolving claims efficiently through mediation and settlement when appropriate. However, we are fully prepared to aggressively defend our clients in court or before regulatory boards when litigation is necessary. ShapiroCroland’s Professional Liability team also advises

Protecting Your Real Estate Interests from Transactions to Disputes ShapiroCroland offers a full-service Real Estate practice. Our Real Estate attorneys not only possess a sound knowledge of real estate laws, but also have the expertise to move projects towards a successful conclusion as quickly and cost-effectively as our uncompromising standards of quality allow. In today’s competitive, and often-regulated, real estate environment, it is imperative for clients to have legal representation that understands how to achieve their land use and commercial goals, while preserving the economics of their projects. We represent sellers, buyers, developers, landlords, tenants, lenders, and borrowers. Our highly capable attorneys and paralegals handle virtually every kind of real property-related matter. We have provided representation in connection with the development of shopping centers, residential and commercial projects, planned unit developments and office complexes. The firm also provides service to clients in personal matters, including the purchase and sale of residential real estate and refinancing. ShapiroCroland works with its clients from initial planning and property acquisition through the various levels of governmental approvals — including the complex area of environmental regulation — to financing and the ultimate use, sale or leasing of property. While focusing our attention in New Jersey

Navigating Complex Tax Challenges with Precision ShapiroCroland Tax Department provides a full range of tax and tax-related services. Our tax practice encompasses estate planning, individual and corporate taxation, as well as income tax planning. We regularly represent clients in various stages of disputes with the Internal Revenue Service, attending audits and administrative hearings and conducting litigation in the United States Tax Court. Typically we provide tax advice to individuals, trusts, estates, partnerships and corporations on matters involving international and domestic income tax planning, compliance, tax accounting, partnership/corporate formation, distributions, sales, terminations, reorganizations, recapitalizations and retirement planning. Our Tax Department has many years of experience and prides itself on providing creative solutions to meet the needs of our clients. While our tax professionals are able to assist in complex modern business transactions, ShapiroCroland service-oriented practice is based on the personal relationships we develop and nurture, whether we represent large institutions, start-up enterprises, or individuals. Business Entity and Joint Venture Formation Our attorneys assist clients in evaluating and selecting the right form of entity for a new business venture. Strategic planning and counseling becomes critical in our clients’ evaluation and understanding of the tax liabilities and obligations of the business and its