Christopher P. Massaro
Membercmassaro@coleschotz.com New Jersey OfficeCourt Plaza North, 25 Main Street, Hackensack, NJ 07601
T: 201-525-6272 / C: 201-532-0022 / F: 201-678-6272
Legal Practice Assistant: Debbie Hilcher
T: 201-489-3000, ext. 5084
dhilcher@coleschotz.com
OVERVIEW
Christopher Massaro is a member in the firm's Litigation Department. He has successfully resolved a variety of state and federal court matters for both individuals and businesses. Although most of his cases are addressed in New Jersey, Christopher has also litigated matters in New York, Pennsylvania, Florida, Arizona and California. During his career, Christopher has represented clients in disputes involving the following areas:
- Commercial litigation
- Contract litigation
- Shareholder litigation
- Probate/estate/trust litigation
- ERISA litigation
- Construction and surety litigation
- Bankruptcy litigation
- Employment litigation
- Professional malpractice
- Land use
Christopher has obtained favorable results in a variety of matters, such as the following:
- Obtained a court order barring a subordinated lender from interfering with the repayment of an $8 million loan held by a commercial lender;
- Prevented the majority shareholders of a closely held corporation from wrongfully terminating a minority shareholder who was serving as the corporation’s president;
- Invalidated a shareholder vote conducted by a large, private corporation that would have authorized the sale of all corporate assets in violation of the shareholders’ agreement and the interests of several shareholders;
- Obtained partial summary judgment against a national health insurance company on behalf of a medical practice in a case involving ERISA benefit claims. The remainder of the suit was subsequently settled on favorable terms for the medical practice;
- Successfully defended appeals on behalf of hospitals involving claims of professional malpractice;
- Settled a successor liability claim involving employment discrimination on terms that were favorable to the successor entity;
- Member of the trial team that obtained a multimillion-dollar judgment for a large commercial landlord in the U.S. District Court concerning a dispute with a commercial tenant;
- Co-authored an appellate brief in a case involving land use/environmental issues, which was ultimately decided in favor of our client and culminated in a published appellate court opinion [In re New Jersey Dep’t of Envtl. Prot. ex. rel. Christ Church , 414 N.J. Super. 592, 999 A.2d 1168 (App. Div. 2010)]; and
- Resolved various probate and estate matters, including disputes involving will contests and interpretation, undue influence, tax issues and breaches of fiduciary duty involving the administration of estate assets by executors and trustees.
Recognized for the quality of his legal work and professionalism in the areas of Litigation, Commercial Law and Trusts and Estates, Christopher has been awarded the top rating of AV-Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell, the premier directory of legal professionals. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. See Award Methodology. Christopher is a member of the Bergen County Bar Association and a graduate of the Morris Pashman American Inn of Court, a professional association designed to enhance trial practice skills. In addition, he serves as a volunteer mentor for the students at New York Law School and has acted as a judge for the New Jersey State Bar Association’s high school mock trial program on numerous occasions. Prior to joining the firm, Christopher served as a judicial law clerk to the Hon. Howard H. Kestin of the New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division.
Services
Education
New York Law School, J.D., summa cum laude, 2003; Notes & Comments Editor, Law Review Montclair State University, B.A., summa cum laude, 1999Bar & Court Admissions
New Jersey, 2003U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, 2004U.S. Court of Appeals, Third Circuit, 2006NEWS
News
NRA Atty's Admission Debacle Shows Need For Ethics Candor
As published in: Law360 September 19, 2018
Christopher Massaro represented MFC Resources Inc. in victory over ACC Resources Co. LP
As published in: Law360 July 11, 2017
EVENTS
Recent Events
Strafford Webinars - Modifying Irrevocable Trusts Using Nonjudicial Settlements
Attorney Speaking: Christopher P. MassaroSeptember 24, 2020Ethical Considerations Involving Trust and Estate Planning, Administration and Litigation
Attorney Speaking: Christopher P. MassaroDecember 17, 2019Estate Planning in Plain English: Ways to Keep Wealth In Your Family's Hands and Promote Harmony
Attorneys Speaking: Christopher P. Massaro and Tishya M. SignorelliJune 15, 2018Advising Fiduciary Clients: Critical Issues When Representing Executors, Trustees, & Guardians CLE Presentation at Bergen County Bar Association
Attorneys Speaking: Christopher P. Massaro and Tishya M. SignorelliDecember 12, 2017Steve Saraisky and Chris Massaro Spoke on Estate Planning and the Uniform Trust Code before the Essex County Chapter of the New Jersey Society of CPAs
Attorneys Speaking: Steven M. Saraisky and Christopher P. MassaroOctober, 2016NJ Uniform Trust Code - Liability and Litigation Issues, CLE presentation at the Bergen County Bar Association
Attorney Speaking: Christopher P. MassaroJune 29, 2016Maximizing Commercial Property Financial Performance and ROI
Attorneys Speaking: Christopher P. Massaro and Carl A. RizzoFebruary 24, 2016Estate Litigation and How to Prevent it, CLE Presentation at Sobel and Co.
Attorney Speaking: Christopher P. MassaroDecember 10, 2015The Role of Fiduciaries – Legal and Ethical Considerations for Executors, Trustees, Guardians and their Attorneys, CLE presentation at the Bergen County Bar Association
Attorneys Speaking: Christopher P. Massaro and Steven M. SaraiskyJune 26, 2015New Jersey Federal Practice: An Introduction to District Court Civil Procedure, CLE to Bergen County Bar Association
Attorney Speaking: Christopher P. MassaroDecember 4, 2013New Jersey Appellate Practice: Navigating The Appeals Process From Start To Finish, Bergen County Bar Association, Continuing Legal Education Seminar
Attorney Speaking: Christopher P. MassaroOctober 26, 2011PUBLICATIONS
Publications
New Jersey Requires Insurance Companies to Refund Premiums in Wake of Coronavirus
Corporate Law March 13, 2020
Christopher P. Massaro and Carl A. RizzoThird Circuit Decision is a Cautionary Tale about the "Security" of Tax Lien – Certificate Holders' Security in Bankruptcy
Bankruptcy and Restructuring Law October 3, 2019
Carl A. Rizzo and Christopher P. MassaroCourts Must Apply Relevant Factors When Awarding Counsel Fees in Will Contests
Tax, Trust & Estates Law June 11, 2019
Christopher P. Massaro and Marian A. BekheetNew Jersey Court Rejects Zoning Board's Issuance of a Variance That Discriminates Against Tenants
Real Estate & Construction Law February 19, 2019
Carl A. Rizzo and Christopher P. MassaroZoning Boards Are Not Free to Disregard Prior Rulings Where Property Conditions Remain Unchanged
Real Estate & Construction Law January 17, 2019
Carl A. Rizzo and Christopher P. MassaroHome Transferred to Trust with Retained Interest Subject to NJ Inheritance Tax
October 29, 2019
Christopher P. Massaro and Steven M. SaraiskyThe "Time Of Application" Rule Will Not Protect Developers Who Submit Incomplete Applications.
Real Estate & Construction Law August 28, 2018
Carl A. Rizzo and Christopher P. MassaroResolving Trust Administration Issues Outside of Court
New Jersey Law Journal April 30, 2018
Christopher P. Massaro and Michael J. KearneyNew Jersey Enacts Uniform Fiduciary Access to Digital Assets Act
Tax, Trust & Estates Law December 19, 2017
Marian A. Bekheet, Christopher P. Massaro and Steven M. SaraiskyCourt Signals that Local Government Cannot Easily Evade Redevelopment Agreements
Real Estate & Construction Law August 22, 2017
Christopher P. Massaro and Carl A. RizzoNew Jersey Court Holds Financial Institutions Are Not Required To Report Suspected Elder Fraud
Tax, Trusts & Estates Law Monitor September 29,2015
Christopher P. MassaroWhat Out-Of-Staters Must Know When Hiring Local NJ Counsel
Law360 August 28, 2015
Christopher P. MassaroCourt Warns That Marriage Does Not Render A Spouse Automatically Entitled To Preexisting Life Insurance Policies
Tax, Trusts & Estates Law June 4, 2015
Christopher P. MassaroThe Importance of Selecting the Best Fiduciary
New Jersey Law Journal July 24, 2014
Christopher P. Massaro and Steven M. SaraiskyHow Pre-Death Probate Can Protect An Estate Plan
Private Wealth February 26, 2014
Glenn R. Kazlow, Christopher P. Massaro and Michael R. YellinAnte-Mortem Probate: Why Wait Until It's Too Late?
NJLJ December 19, 2013
Glenn R. Kazlow, Christopher P. Massaro and Michael R. YellinEstate Planning and Former Spouses: Updating your Will, Life Insurance and Other Beneficiary Designations following a Divorce
Tax, Trusts & Estates Law Monitor December 3, 2013
Christopher P. MassaroNew Jersey Estate Litigation: The Availability of Punitive Damages
Tax, Trusts & Estates Law Monitor March 5th, 2013
Christopher P. MassaroIncluding A "No-Contest" Clause In Your Will May Prevent A Battle Over Your Estate
May 24, 2012
Christopher P. MassaroTiming May Be Right for Property Tax Appeal
The Record December 16, 2008
Christopher P. Massaro and Carl A. RizzoNew Jersey's Ambulatory Surgical Centers Continue to Face Uncertainty
Cole Schotz Docket Fall 2008
Form Contracts: Revising Them Now Can Save You Money Later
Meadowlands USA Andrew B.Fisher Fall 2006
The Price of an Education: When Employers Can Be Held Liable for their Employees’ Student Loans
Cole Schotz Docket Winter 2005
Commercial Clients are Urged to Consider Whether a Tax Appeal Makes Sense in Today's Troubling Real Estate Market
Real Estate & Construction Law Monitor