Cleary, Giacobbe, Alfieri, and Jacobs
Pam Stanley et al Appeal School Ethics Decision — Students, Teachers, and Taxpayers Will Cover Their Bill
Date: 2025-03-03
Reports on the board majority's decision to appeal a school ethics ruling—with legal costs once again falling to the district and public.
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https://nj21st.com/2025/03/03/pam-stanley-et-al-appeal-school-ethics-decision-students-teachers-taxpayers-will-cover-their-bill/
The $34,000 OPRA Request
Date: 2024-04-25
Details a controversial legal fee tied to an OPRA request, raising transparency concerns and spotlighting the role of Cleary, Giacobbe, Alfieri, and Jacobs in district billing.
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https://nj21st.com/2024/04/25/the-34000-opra-request/
Firm of Cleary, Giacobbe, Alfieri, Jacobs Spends 20 Minutes Trying to Protect Their Jobs
Date: 2024-01-22
Summarizes a tense Board of Education meeting where the firm’s representatives defended their continued employment amid public scrutiny.
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https://nj21st.com/2024/01/22/firm-of-cleary-giacobbe-alfieri-jacobs-spends-20-minutes-trying-to-protect-their-jobs/
90 Thousand Reasons the District Needs to Hire a New Law Firm Next Year
Date: 2023-12-13
Analyzes annual legal expenses topping $90,000 and questions whether the district is receiving effective or ethical representation.
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https://nj21st.com/2023/12/13/90-thousand-reasons-the-berkeley-heights-public-school-district-needs-to-hire-a-new-law-firm-next-year/
Cleary, Giacobbe, Alfieri, and Jacobs Has Over 86,000 Reasons to Be Thankful for Berkeley Heights
Date: 2023-11-15
Breaks down the firm’s year-to-date earnings from the district and raises questions about performance, billing, and board oversight.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2023/11/15/cleary-giacobbe-alfieri-and-jacobs-has-over-86000-reasons-to-be-thankful-for-berkeley-heights/
10/12/2023 Bill List: More of Our Schools' Dollars Go to Cleary, Giacobbe, Alfieri, and Jacobs
Date: 2023-10-21
Examines a routine bill list highlighting yet another large payment to the firm, and questions board priorities.
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https://nj21st.com/2023/10/21/10-12-2023-bill-list-more-of-our-schools-dollars-go-to-cleary-giacobbe-alfieri-and-jacobs/
09/14/2023 Bill List
Date: 2023-10-04
Tracks continued legal billing from the firm during a period of increased scrutiny and district legal conflict.
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https://nj21st.com/2023/10/04/09-14-2023-bill-list/
BH School District Saddled with Current Attorney for Another Year
Date: 2023-01-18
Documents the board’s controversial decision to renew the firm’s contract, despite rising legal costs and resident opposition.
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https://nj21st.com/2023/01/18/bh-school-district-saddled-with-current-attorney-for-another-year/
Bills, Bills, Bills — Not the Song from Destiny's Child
Date: 2022-09-29
A running total of the district's legal expenses under Cleary, Giacobbe, Alfieri, and Jacobs, with an emphasis on oversight and accountability.
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https://nj21st.com/2022/09/29/bills-bills-bills-not-the-song-from-destinys-child/
Dr. Varley, High-Priced Attorneys, and the Angry Six vs. Sai Akiri
Date: 2022-09-13
A look into legal spending used to defend board and administrative actions, particularly during the height of internal conflict over transparency.
Read full article:
https://nj21st.com/2022/09/13/dr-varley-high-priced-attorneys-and-the-angry-six-vs-sai-akiri/