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Litigator Creates New Specialty Bar Association

September 13, 2005 - Bloomfield, NJ - Robert A. Bianchi, certified criminal trial attorney, former Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor, and partner of Bianchi & Bianchi, LLC has formed and founded the Association of Civil Rights Attorneys of New Jersey (ACRA-NJ). ACRA-NJ is dedicated to maintaining full adherence to the Constitutions of the United States and the State of New Jersey in an attempt to secure accountability from governmental officials who abuse their authority and violate their duty to protect the public from constitutional harm.

Bianchi, who has handled numerous civil rights cases, is the association's president. The vice-president is Jeffery G. Garrigan, partner of Cammarata Nultey & Garrigan, LLC of Jersey City. Michael Koribanics, partner of Koribanics & Koribanics of Clifton, is treasurer. Like Bianchi, Garrigan and Koribanics are also former Hudson County Assistant Prosecutors.

The organization addresses a wide range of constitutional abuses that are a growing problem in some jurisdictions in this state, particularly false arrest, malicious prosecution, assaults, and police brutality. ACRA-NJ also focuses on constitutional violations of the rights of governmental employees themselves, such as employment discrimination.

"After serving as a prosecutor, I was amazed at the rampant abuse by some governmental officials. There is definitely a cultural environment of many governmental bodies that allows its employees to violate the rights of citizens without penalty," said Bianchi.

The new bar association will help plantiffs' attorneys better educate themselves in this complex area of law. The laws in this state often make Internal Affairs files and other documents confidential, with the result that it is difficult to obtain key information relevant to cases relating to police departments.

One of ACRA-NJ's initial programs will be an online message board for members to exchange research, statistics, information, practice tips, and evidence of specific illegal activities, as well as motions and other legal paperwork. The goal is to pool the combined experience of the membership, so that seasoned litigators can consult each other for advice and also help out attorneys who are interested in learning about this practice area.

Bianchi continues, "I was compelled to go into this area of law to help those who are vulnerable and often unable to 'fight the system.' The integrity of the system is damaged, and really I get great satisfaction when I'm able to participate in adequately defending the common person's rights."

Membership is open to plaintiffs' attorneys who practice predominantly in the area of protecting of citizens' rights against abuses by governmental bodies and their agents and employees. Attorneys interested in joining the association should contact Bianchi at 973-680-9900 or robert@bianchilaw.net.