Significant ruling in the Superior Court of New Jersey

On March 18, 2025 DOP obtained a significant ruling in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Gloucester County in a case against Washington Township, New Jersey. The Court granted class certification of a class of approximately 1,100 persons and entities that paid vacant abandoned property registration fees to Washington Township between 2016 and 2022. Our clients are seeking reimbursement of approximately $2.8 million dollars from Washington Township alleging that the vacant property registration fees they paid between 2016 and 2022 were unconstitutional and illegal and should be refunded. Washington Township collected fees ranging between $500 and $5,000 in fees every year and allegedly did nothing for this money. During this time period Washington Township would impose such fees on persons for only missing a mortgage payment or being in foreclosure but still in their homes. Essentially an additional tax on persons who could least afford it. My partner Joseph Osefchen did a great job writing close to 100 pages of legal briefing for the motion and I argued the motion successful at oral argument before the Court. DOP is currently litigating 15 of these type of cases against municipalities across the State of New Jersey.