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Mayda Aponte

Rocco DePersia Joins WGP

Haddonfield and Atlantic City NJ and Philadelphia Pa – November 11, 2020 – The partners at WGP are proud to announce that Rocco DePersia Esq. has joined Greenblatt, Pierce, Funt and Flores, LLC (WGP) in an “Of Counsel” capacity for the firm. He will continue to concentrate his focus on Plaintiff’s Personal Injury, DWI/DUI and Municipal Court work. One of the most recognizable figures in the South Jersey legal community, Mr. DePersia brings his 40 years of significant and successful trial experience to WGP. Among his achievements, he is a former president of the Camden County Bar Association and a former chairman of the New Jersey Supreme Court District IV Ethics Committee which was responsible for handling complaints regarding attorney ethics in Camden and Gloucester Counties. “I really feel the time is right for me to bring my practice to WGP. As many of my clients have been with me for years, I wanted to be with a firm that could properly service and support them; and, I believe WGP has the personnel and resources to do just that. In addition, Len Baker and I were partners for over 15 years in the long-standing firm of Mitnick, Josselson, DePersia and Baker; and, it is certainly great to be working with him again,” said Mr. DePersia. WGP’s managing partner, Ronald Greenblatt, said, “It is really an honor that Rocco has chosen to merge his practice with ours. I have long admired both his legal ability and the way he deals with people. He is not just an amazing lawyer, but he is an amazing person. We have worked on cases together for years, and to now work with him on an everyday basis is really a special moment for everyone at the firm.” Mr. DePersia, a native of Camden, New Jersey, is also a true renaissance man. He was a producer, writer, and the former lead singer and co-leader of Latin Soul recording artist, CINTRON. He has also arranged, produced, and promoted hundreds of concerts and dances throughout the Philadelphia/South Jersey area; and, he opened, owned, and operated Camden’s iconic Nice Little Bar. In addition, he advised and managed numerous professional boxers culminating in 1995 when one of his fighters, Bruce Seldon, became the WBA Heavyweight Champion of the World. He has also provided both soundtrack contribution and a recurring acting role to the current Amazon TV Crime Drama, Chase Street. A father of two successful daughters, Mr. DePersia lives in Voorhees, New Jersey with his wife, Lydia. Founded in 1996 as an aggressive criminal defense law practice, Greenblatt, Pierce, Funt and Flores, LLC has grown into a full-service law firm offering individuals assistance in virtually all areas of criminal, employment, personal injury, civil rights, and family law. The firm has three offices in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Visit gpffstaging.wpengine.com for more information.

James Funt Talks Mask Culture in COVID World on KYW Newsradio

Philadelphia –April 23, 2020 – Partner James A. Funt of Greenblatt, Pierce, Funt and Flores, LLC was a featured guest this week on “Flashpoint,” a weekly show produced by KYW Newsradio where area business and community leaders share their perspective on how local and national news issues affect Philadelphians. The program discussed the impact of the mandatory masking order for Pennsylvania that went into effect on April 19th. While employees and customers of businesses are now required to wear facial coverings to curb the spread of coronavirus, the question is this: can those same facial coverings have a negative impact on behavior? Funt, a noted civil rights attorney, was joined by psychotherapist Amy Morin and Philadelphia City Council member Isaiah Thomas. Funt was asked about the legality of enforcing something like this. “Certain civil liberties are being curtailed, for sure,” he admitted, adding that “this is being done in a larger context of providing safety for all citizens… to protect everybody.” Morin’s perspective was of the psychology of masks – both the perception on individual behavior and the perception of others wearing them. She explained that for some, wearing of masks is not simply compliance with a law, but a sign of control and of purposefully taking an action to prevent the spread of the virus. She also pointed that there can also be a downside: when the face of a human being is not seen, they become more of an object than a person. Just as when one exhibits road rage directed at another car, the act is because we “forget there’s a human being behind that barrier and treat them differently.” Thomas noted that some Philadelphians feel such differences on two levels: “Philadelphia is the poorest big city in the entire country,” where the necessity of purchasing masks for entire families – often at a premium surcharge due to the demand – can be a burden. He added that, for many young black men, it falls into a perception issue. “We’ve been taught to not wear masks and hoodies [and] this is contrary to everything we’ve ever been taught,” Funt offered that there is still a tremendous amount of personal power in the choice to comply. “Yes [the law has] limitations, but this is still by and large a voluntary thing. By being denied entry [into a store for not wearing a mask], that is your choice,” adding that this is “an opportunity where we are all in this together, working toward the common good. We’re all doing our 320 millionth part to try and prevent the spread, to keep our collective health together and to reopen the economy.” To listen to the full program, click here. James A. Funt has spent his entire career helping those who have been the victim of discrimination. His work includes blue collar and white-collar criminal defense, civil rights issues, and plaintiff employment discrimination matters. Founded in 1996 as an aggressive criminal defense law practice, Greenblatt, Pierce, Funt and Flores, LLC has grown into a full-service law firm offering individuals assistance in virtually all areas of criminal, employment, personal injury, civil rights, and family law. The firm has three offices in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Visit gpffstaging.wpengine.com for more information.

Michele Morgera Named Partner

Philadelphia –March 3, 2020 – Greenblatt, Pierce, Funt and Flores, LLC (WGP) has promoted Michele Morgera to partner. Ms. Morgera handles criminal defense matters, including white collar criminal defense and corporate investigations, in the firm’s New Jersey office. Prior to joining WGP, Ms. Morgera was assistant prosecutor in the Camden County Prosecutor’s office. In that role, she served as chief of the Grand Jury Unit, chief of the Career Criminal Unit, chief of the Fugitive Section, chief of the Major Crimes Unit, and Police Legal Advisor. She has conducted over 100 jury trials, addressing some of the most complicated criminal cases in the region, and has had supervisory authority over thousands of other cases. “Michele’s clients benefit from her unique perspective as a seasoned prosecutor within the state’s criminal justice system,” said Ronald L. Greenblatt, managing partner. “She has helped our criminal defense practice become known throughout the region. We know she will continue to serve our clients while upholding the highest standards in legal representation.” Ms. Morgera holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Administration from LaSalle University and a law degree from Rutgers Law School. She also earned a Master’s in Public Administration from Rutgers Newark. Since 2014, Ms. Morgera has donated her time with the Literacy Volunteers of Camden County. She resides in Mount Laurel, New Jersey. Founded in 1996 as an aggressive criminal defense law practice, Greenblatt, Pierce, Funt and Flores, LLC has grown into a full-service law firm offering individuals assistance in virtually all areas of criminal, employment, personal injury, civil rights, and family law. The firm has three offices in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Visit gpffstaging.wpengine.com for more information.

Noah S. Cohen Rejoins WGP

Philadelphia –February 19, 2020 – Attorney Noah S. Cohen has rejoined Greenblatt, Pierce, Funt and Flores, LLC (WGP) as a Senior Associate in the firm’s Civil Litigation Unit. He will focus his work on Employment Law, Civil Rights Litigation, and Personal Injury. Mr. Cohen first worked for WGP after graduating law school in 2012, working on complex Employment, Consumer Fraud, and Civil Rights cases for over four years before leaving to work at the Defender Association of Philadelphia. During that time, he gained invaluable experience successfully protecting the rights of his clients in hundreds of trials, including jury trials on major felony cases. “Noah is passionate about fighting for the rights of those who have experienced discrimination in the workplace,” said Patricia V. Pierce, partner and chair of WGP’s Employment Law practice group. “He is a skilled and dynamic litigator, with a proven track record, earning settlements for his clients in the hundreds of thousands of dollars. His enthusiasm and unique background are assets to our team.” Born and raised in Gloucester, Massachusetts, Mr. Cohen graduated from Brandeis University and Villanova University School of Law. Before attending law school, he worked with the United States Peace Corps in the Philippines where he served as a small business advisor, managing two successful water filter businesses, initiating a micro-finance expansion for a cooperative bank, and teaching economic development and entrepreneurship classes at Partido State University. Mr. Cohen is licensed to practice law in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, the State of New Jersey, the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and the District of New Jersey. He resides in Philadelphia. Founded in 1996 as an aggressive criminal defense law practice, Greenblatt, Pierce, Funt and Flores, LLC has grown into a full-service law firm offering individuals assistance in virtually all areas of criminal, employment, personal injury, civil rights, and family law. The firm has three offices in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Visit gpffstaging.wpengine.com for more information.

WGP Ranks in 2020 “Best Law Firms”

Philadelphia –January 24, 2020 – Greenblatt, Pierce, Funt and Flores, LLC (WGP) has received a top ranking in the 2020 U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers “Best Law Firms” list. The firm received top tier ratings in both Employment Law and Criminal Defense for individuals in the City of Philadelphia. Firms included in the 2020 “Best Law Firms” list are recognized for professional excellence with persistently impressive ratings from clients and peers. Achieving a tiered ranking signals a unique combination of quality law practice and breadth of legal expertise. The 2020 Edition of “Best Law Firms” includes rankings in 75 national practice areas and 127 metropolitan-based practice areas. Additionally, one “Law Firm of the Year” was named in each nationally-ranked practice area. Founded in 1996 as an aggressive criminal defense law practice, Greenblatt, Pierce, Funt and Flores, LLC has grown into a full-service law firm offering individuals assistance in virtually all areas of criminal, employment, personal injury, civil rights, and family law. The firm has three offices in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Visit gpffstaging.wpengine.com for more information.

Six WGP Attorneys Named 2019 Super Lawyers

Philadelphia – June 25, 2019 – Six attorneys at Greenblatt Pierce Funt and Flores, LLC (WGP) have been recognized as Super Lawyers for 2019, a designation given to just 5 percent of the lawyers in the commonwealth. Additionally, two of the attorneys receiving the honor have appeared on the Pennsylvania list for 15+ consecutive years.
WGP’s 2019 Super Lawyers (from left): Funt, Vaira, Bobbe, Pierce, Collier and Greenblatt
  • Ronald L. Greenblatt is listed for his work in Criminal Defense. He has received the Super Lawyers distinction annually since 2013.
  • Patricia V. Pierce is listed for her work in Employment & Labor law and was also named to the Top 50 Women in Pennsylvania list for 2019. She has received the recognition since 2004.
  • James A. Funt is listed for his work in Criminal Defense. He has been listed annually since 2013.
  • Peter F. Vaira is listed in White Collar Criminal Defense and has received the recognition since 2005.
  • Richard T. Bobbe III is listed for Criminal Defense for the second straight year.
  • Joyce L. Collier is listed for Employment & Labor, as she has been since 2012.
Greenblatt, the firm’s managing partner, has successfully litigated over 1,000 criminal trials on charges ranging from homicide, homicide by vehicle, sexual assault, serious drug offenses, fraud and other white-collar crimes, internet crimes, and represents people charged by universities under Tittle IX. He co-manages the firm’s extensive civil rights practice with Patricia Pierce. Pierce heads the Employment Law Practice at the firm and serves as a principal in the firm’s Corporate Investigations practice. Recently, she has been engaged by insurance companies and law firms to provide expert advice and testimony on claims of attorney malpractice employment/EEO best practices and has served as a neutral mediator. Funt handles blue collar and white-collar criminal defense, civil rights, and plaintiff’s side employment discrimination matters; along with representation in Title IX matters. He has successfully tried thousands of criminal cases before judges and juries in state and federal courts in New Jersey and Pennsylvania ranging from complex homicides to kidnappings, aggravated assaults, robberies, sexual assaults, state and federal drug cases, and white-collar crimes including sexual-cyber-crimes. Vaira is a 15-year veteran of the U.S. Department of Justice, where he served as the Attorney in Charge of the Philadelphia and Chicago Organized Crime Strike Forces. He served as the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania from 1978-1984. During his 50+ years of practice, he has handled the most complex criminal and civil matters in state and federal court. Bobbe handles criminal and civil matters in Pennsylvania and New Jersey and heads up the firm’s DUI/DWI and Traffic Court practice. He brings two decades of experience as a trial attorney, including as a prosecuting attorney for the Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office. Collier works in the firm’s Employment Law, Civil Rights and Complex Litigation practice groups. She has 30 years of experience as a trial lawyer in state and federal court in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Her passion is fighting for low-wage workers who have been denied the most basic workplace protections. Super Lawyers selects attorneys using peer nominations and evaluations combined with independent research. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of peer recognition and professional achievement. Selections are made on an annual, state-by-state basis. The objective is to create a credible, comprehensive and diverse listing of outstanding attorneys that can be used as a resource for attorneys and consumers searching for legal counsel. Founded 23 years ago as an aggressive criminal defense law practice, Greenblatt, Pierce, Funt and Flores, LLC has grown into a full-service law firm offering individuals assistance in virtually all areas of criminal, employment, personal injury, civil rights, and family law. The firm has three offices in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. Visit gpffstaging.wpengine.com for more information.