Peter P. Perla, Jr.

Recognition & Involvement

Peter proudly served as Chair to the American Diabetes Association’s Princeton Tour de Cure and a Member of their Community Leadership Board; he was the top individual fundraiser eight years in a row (2012-2019). He also served as Deputy to the Chair of the International Law Section of the American Bar Association. Peter is an active firefighter with the Princeton Junction Volunteer Fire Company, Engine Co. 44.

Representative Matters

• Successfully obtained summary judgment on behalf of employer after employee filed suit alleging claims for discrimination, constructive discharge, breach of contract, false imprisonment, assault, defamation, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. McKenzie v. Babyland Family Services, Inc.
• Successfully achieved summary judgment on behalf of employer after employee filed suit alleging claims for sexual harassment under the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, breach of contract, negligent infliction of emotional distress, and negligent hiring, training and supervision. Kennedy v. Hackensack University Medical Center, et al.
• Obtained temporary injunction and ultimately prevailed where a prospective purchaser of our client’s business improperly seized confidential and proprietary information during the due diligence phase of the sale. Homecare 24-7 v. Farkas Associates, et al.
• Successfully attained summary judgment on behalf of employer after employee filed suit claiming he was retaliated against in violation of the Conscientious Employee Protection Act. The court’s decision was affirmed by the New Jersey Appellate Division. Bell v. City of Atlantic City, et al.
• Summary dismissal granted and affirmed on appeal disposing of employees’ whistleblower claims against Mayor and public entity. Polillo, et al. v. City of Atlantic City, et al.
• Summary dismissal granted and affirmed on appeal disposing of employee’s claims for defamation, intentional and negligent infliction of emotional distress, and tortious interference with lawful union activity. McCausland v. City of Atlantic City, et al.
• Motion to dismiss and compel arbitration granted in class action lawsuit alleging wage and hour claims and misclassification. Greene, et al. v. SCI, LLC, et al.
• Motion to dismiss and compel arbitration granted in lawsuit alleging a host of claims involving, inter alia, misclassification, discrimination, breach of contract, etc. McNeal v. US Pack, et al.
• Motion to dismiss and compel arbitration granted in lawsuit alleging wage and hour claims and misclassification. Espinosa v. US Pack, et al.
• Successfully attained summary judgment in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California dismissing multiple claims of discrimination. Sahinovic, et al. v. CD&L.
• Employee claimed to have been subjected to race discrimination and retaliation in violation of the Conscientious Employee Protection Act. Obtained a partial summary judgment, and then a partial directed verdict. Thereafter, a unanimous trial verdict was rendered on behalf of all remaining defendants following a two week trial in U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, Camden. Parker v. Atlantic City Board of Education, et al.
• Successfully achieved summary judgment on behalf of employer after employee filed suit claiming he was subjected to discrimination and retaliation based on a perceived and/or actual disability and had been illegally denied an accommodation. Plaintiff’s Counsel had success against employer in prior litigation; his tactics were studied and used against him to obtain summary judgment in the pending matter. Callaghan v. City of Passaic.
• Successfully achieved summary judgment on behalf of employer, which was subsequently affirmed on appeal, after employee filed suit alleging claims of discrimination, constructive discharge, and demanding $1.2 million in damages. U.S. District Court’s decision published at Kirschling v. Atlantic City Board of Education, 10 F.Supp.3d 587 (D.N.J. 2014).
• Successfully attained summary judgment on behalf of employer, which was subsequently affirmed on appeal, after employee filed suit alleging five different forms of discrimination; violation of the Conscientious Employee Protection Act; termination in violation of public policy; hostile work environment; suppression of civil rights; violation of her procedural and substantive due process rights; violation of free speech; and denial of equal protection. Bermek v. City of Passaic, et al.
• Summary dismissal granted disposing of former employee’s political retaliation claims against State Assemblyman. Diaz v. City of Passaic, et al.
• Summary dismissal granted disposing of employees’ political retaliation claims against Board of Education, Board Members, and Mayor. Maldonado, et al. v. Passaic Board of Education, et al.
• Successfully achieved summary judgment on behalf of employer after employee filed suit alleging violation of the Conscientious Employee Protection Act. O’Donnell v. City of Passaic, et al.
• Received a successful verdict on appeal where the Appellate Division agreed that the trial court did not have jurisdiction to hear the dispute in question and had improperly granted injunctive relief in a matter involving an employee’s dissatisfaction with his transfer following a reduction-in-force. Jackus v. Elizabeth Board of Education, et al.
• Obtained a favorable verdict before the D.C. Circuit on behalf of the employer overturning decisions rendered by the ALJ and NLRB. The D.C. Circuit concluded that the employer was justified in declaring impasse after months of labor negotiations where the union maintained a fixed bargaining position. Laurel Bay v. The National Labor Relations Board.
• Attained injunctive relief and ultimately a favorable decision in a complex commercial dispute following the New York State Insurance Fund’s improper assessment of exorbitant insurance premiums for independent contractors providing services to multiple courier companies. The decision rendered by the New York Supreme Court had a significant and positive impact on how courier companies conduct their operations. SCI v. New York State Insurance Fund.
• Successfully achieved summary judgment on behalf of corporate client on the eve of trial saving client substantial litigation costs. The moving papers were so compelling that plaintiff chose to appeal the dismissal as to every defendant except my client. Tilton, et. al. v. SCI, LLC.
• Successfully persuaded all parties to voluntarily dismiss client with prejudice from a complex independent contractor matter after obtaining valuable deposition testimony and filing summary judgment papers. Schmutz v. SCI, LLC.