Justin P. Kolbenschlag

As partner in the firm’s Litigation, Employment Law, Criminal Defense, Governmental & Internal Investigations, and Cannabis & Hemp Law practices, Justin P. Kolbenschlag provides clients with a strategic approach to dispute resolution and strong advocacy on their behalf.

A highly skilled litigator, Justin has successfully represented a wide range of clients in a variety of employment and business litigation matters in the state and federal courts of New Jersey. Justin’s experience includes complex litigation matters on behalf of financial institutions, multinational corporations, public entities, small businesses, and individuals. His significant business litigation experience includes restrictive covenant (non-compete) litigation, breach of contract actions, real estate and specific performance disputes, fraudulent transfer claims, consumer fraud act litigation, professional liability litigation, construction litigation, and landlord/tenant matters.

Justin’s employment law experience includes representing both employees and employers in all aspects of employment law in state and federal courts and before administrative bodies, such as the U. S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development. He currently provides a voice to victims of workplace discrimination, sexual harassment, wrongful discharge, unlawful retaliation and hostile work environment. He aggressively advocates for employees who are being mistreated in the workplace and compassionately counsels employees who have been terminated or offered severance packages.

In addition, Justin has significant experience defending employers in claims of wrongful discharge, unlawful employment practices, discrimination, harassment and wage and hour disputes. He counsels corporate clients on a broad range of issues including termination, employee discipline, wage and hour policies, disability accommodation and requests for leave, and the drafting of employee handbooks. Justin also conducts harassment training seminars for employees, management and human resource professionals. He works closely with principals and upper level management of employers of all sizes to audit the client’s employment practices and implement policies and procedures to ensure compliance and minimize the risk of costly employment litigation.

A member of Pashman Stein’s Cannabis & Hemp Law practice group, Justin has experience advising existing medical marijuana operators and representing applicants poised to enter various aspects of the medical marijuana industry. In both the medical marijuana and hemp spaces, he provides multifaceted legal guidance to business entities and individuals focused on managing risk and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. 

Prior to joining Pashman Stein, Justin was a solo practitioner at Kolbenschlag Law, LLC, which he formed after serving as partner in the litigation department at a prominent New Jersey law firm. At that firm, he was a key member of the trial team that successfully defended U.S. Senator Robert Menendez in Federal District Court against allegations of public corruption and bribery brought by the federal government. The trial ended in November 2017 with a hung jury and subsequent mistrial. Shortly thereafter, the Department of Justice dismissed all remaining charges against Senator Menendez.

Justin is proud of the results he has achieved for clients, some of which are noted here and under the “Experience” section of this biography.  Of course, each legal matter is unique on many levels, and past successes are not a guarantee of results in any other pending or future matters.

Honors & Recognitions

• Selected for inclusion in the list of New Jersey Super Lawyers, 2013-2021

The Super Lawyers list is issued by Thomson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology can be found at http://www.superlawyers.com/about/selection_process.html.

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Community & Professional

• Preferred Behavioral Health Group, Board Secretary (2021) and Member of Board of Trustees (2020 – present).
• Member of Board of Directors, Garden State Equality Action Fund Executive Committee (2017 – 2021).
• Member, Trial Attorneys of New Jersey (2008 – present).
• Member, New Jersey Association of Justice (2019 – present).
• Barrister, John C. Lifland Federal Inn of Court (2007 – 2013).