Type: Partner

JOSEPH SORDILLO graduated from Rutgers University in 2001, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts with a double major in Philosophy and Political Science. Mr. Sordillo then went on to graduate from Seton Hall University School of Law in 2004, where he earned a Juris Doctor degree.

Joseph Sordillo was admitted to the bar in the State of New Jersey, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey in 2004, and the State of New York in 2005. Additionally, Mr. Sordillo earned the title of Barrister of the Joseph Halpern David Furman American Inn of Court. He has also been listed in Super Lawyers® Rising Stars (2013-2018), in the areas of State, Local & Municipal and Land Use/Zoning.

Mr. Sordillo concentrates his practice of law in the areas of municipal law, land use (including redevelopment law), affordable housing, real estate tax appeals and State regulatory law. Joe is currently the Municipal Attorney for the Borough of Watchung and the Township of Raritan. Joe is the Special Municipal Tax Attorney for the Township of Montclair, the Borough of Far Hills, the Township of Raritan and the Township of East Amwell. He is the appointed Board Attorney for the Raritan Township Board of Health and Harding Board of Health. He also currently serves as the Board Attorney for the Old Bridge Township Planning Board and Sayreville Planning Board. He is Special Affordable Housing Counsel for the Borough of Sayreville. Previously, Joe served as the Municipal Attorney for the Borough of Far Hills from 2010 through 2023, and the Township of Berkeley Heights from 2010 through 2018; the Board Attorney for the Clark Township Planning Board from 2020-2021, and the Far Hills Board of Health from 2012 through 2023; and also served as the special municipal tax attorney for the Township of Cranford from 2012 through 2018. In 2008, Mr. Sordillo served as the Municipal Attorney for the Borough of South Plainfield. In 2007, Mr. Sordillo was appointed as the temporary Municipal Attorney for the Township of Howell. In addition to his personal appointments, Mr. Sordillo has provided legal services to numerous municipalities and land use boards throughout Somerset, Morris, Union and Essex Counties.

In addition to representing public bodies, Mr. Sordillo handles all aspects of land use and development law, and represents a wide range of private developers, and is the head of the Firm’s Land Use Department. Joe has vast experience in representing private developers, as well as public entities in connection with redevelopment projects. He has handled all forms of land use applications from minor residential variance applications, to large residential subdivisions, and large scale commercial/industrial major site plan developments.

Mr. Sordillo also volunteers his time to other legal endeavors. He has been appointed by the New Jersey Supreme Court to the District Ethics Committee for Hunterdon, Somerset, and Warren Counties, upon which he currently continues to serve. He previously served on the District Fee Arbitration Committee for Hunterdon, Somerset, and Warren Counties serving from 2019 through 2023. From 2006-2018, Mr. Sordillo volunteered his time as the Attorney Advisor for the Watchung Hills Regional High School Mock Trial Team in the Vincent J. Appruzzese Mock Trial Competition.

Albert E. Cruz focuses his practice on representing public entities, and also represents private businesses in real estate transactions. Albert is well-known for his knowledge and experience in representing public bodies, including counties, municipalities and land use boards. He provides counsel to public entities on all aspects of government, including development, redevelopment, affordable housing, zoning and planning, as well as day-to-day operations.

In addition to private clients, he currently represents the Borough of Frenchtown, Township of Clark Planning Board and is Special Affordable Housing Counsel to the Township of Toms River.

Mr. Cruz also serves as the Borough of Far Hills Attorney.

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Stephen Davis is the Managing Partner of DiFrancesco Bateman. He concentrates his practice in complex litigation, including construction, premises liability, Title 59 and commercial matters on behalf of defendants. Steve’s experience in the courtroom and successes has enabled him to be certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Civil Trial Attorney, and he was named a Master of the Joseph Halpern Inns of Court. He has also been certified by the State of New Jersey as a mediator.

Steve has successfully defended both corporations and individuals in tort and commercial matters. His clients have included Veolia Water Contract Operations USA, Inc., Diocese of Metuchen, Bank of America and Maersk. In addition to his litigation work, Steve counsels his clients in a wide variety of commercial and contract matters, drawing upon his litigation experience to resolve challenging legal and business issues and to offer his clients advice for business development.

Steve is General Counsel to the Suburban Municipal Joint Insurance Fund and Litigation Counsel to the Somerset County Joint Insurance Fund. He is a member of the American Bar Association and the Somerset County Bar Association. He is also a member of the Defense Research Institute, The Defense Association of New Jersey, and the DRI Construction Law Committee. He was formerly an assistant prosecutor in Union County, as well as a Municipal Prosecutor in Bedminster Township, Bernards Township, the Borough of Bernardsville and Readington Township. 

PUBLICATIONS

• Allendorf v. Kaiserman Enterprises, 630 A. 2d 402, 266 NJ Super. 662-NJ; Appellate Div., 1993
• America’s Pride Const. v. Farry, 811 A. 2d 906 175 NJ 60-NJ; Supreme Court, 2002.
• Leibig v. Somerville Senior Housing, 740 A. 2d 686, 326 NJ Super. 102 – NJ: Appellate Div., 1999.

• Representation of clients in a wide variety of commercial, personal injury, construction and Title 59 matters helping them resolve disputes without litigation.
• Handles retail and commercial litigation for national entities including Veolia Water Contract Operations USA, Inc. and Bank of America.
• Serves as Fund General Counsel and advises the Suburban Municipal Joint Insurance Fund which includes municipal member entities in Somerset, Morris and Union Counties.
• Serves as Litigation Counsel and advises various governmental entities which comprise the Somerset County Joint Insurance Fund including member municipalities located in Somerset and Hunterdon Counties.
• Provides counsel and advice to numerous national and regional insurance carriers and their insureds including NJM, AIG, Chubb, and ACE.
• Defended a prominent New Jersey multi-disciplinary architectural and engineering firm in a multi-million dollar construction litigation involving the State of New Jersey.
• Acts as lead counsel handling and coordinating litigation throughout New Jersey for one of the world’s leading private water companies.
• Successfully represented a major New Jersey car dealership in a multi-million dollar contract dispute involving commercial leases.
• Has successfully pursued numerous successful indemnification claims on behalf of both large and small commercial clients with respect to lease obligations in personal injury and contractual litigation.
• Representation of CEO of multinational financial services firm in construction litigation involving his personal residence.
• Representation of multiple governmental entities and their employees in Title 59, Section 1983 and other Federal and State litigation of both personal injury and contract claims.
• Successfully obtained a dismissal of all claims asserted against a restaurant/bar for improper service of alcohol to a patron subsequently involved in a motor vehicle accident causing catastrophic injuries.
• Provides counsel and advice for clients embarking on new business ventures including assessments of risk and risk management.
• Successfully defended a majority owner in a multi-million dollar commercial dispute involving purchase of several restaurants.
• Successfully defended the owner and operator of a motor vehicle involved in a catastrophic wrongful death litigation involving commercial vehicles ultimately resulting in a settlement in excess of $10 million.
• Representation of closely held corporations in breach of contract and other commercial litigation.

Donald T. DiFrancesco was admitted to the practice of law in New Jersey in 1969.

Don was born and raised in Scotch Plains and graduated in 1962 from Scotch Plains Fanwood High School. He attended Penn State University and graduated with a marketing degree in 1966. Don received his J.D. from Seton Hall Law School in 1969. He joined the law firm of DiFrancesco Bateman in 1992 as a senior partner.

Governor DiFrancesco was elected to the General Assembly of New Jersey in 1975 and served as an Assemblyman until November of 1979 when he won a special election to the State Senate. He served in the State Senate until January of 2002. He was Senate Minority Leader, President of the State Senate and Governor in 2001.

He has served as Municipal Prosecutor and Township Attorney for Scotch Plains. He also served as Municipal Attorney for Berkeley Heights.

Governor DiFrancesco has served on numerous boards, including Commerce Bank, University Hospital and the Tuttle & Hughes Corporation.

He has received many awards and honors, including his high school Hall of Fame and honorary degrees from Rutgers University, Centenary College and Kean University.

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