Lawrence P. Stern - Partner
Hon. Conrad W. Krafte, of counsel
Joseph A. Clark, Jr., of counsel
Dwight D. de Stefan - Associate
Frank Paruolo - Associate
Sonam Dasara - Associate
Gary S. Poplaski - Associate
Constantinos J. Ballas - Associate
William C. Rindone, Jr. - Associate
Joanne Dobrzynski Legal Assistant
Mary Schweizer Legal Assistant
Sheldon M. Liebowitz
An experienced trial attorney appearing in New Jersey Courts on almost a daily basis throughout the State, Sheldon Liebowitz is the senior partner at Liebowitz, Liebowitz & Stern. While most of his time has been devoted to negligence, medical malpractice and matrimonial litigation over his 56 years of practice, he handles major corporate and partnership litigation as well. Sheldon Liebowitz was Municipal Judge of the City of Englewood from January 15, 1963 until October 1, 1968.
A lifelong resident of Englewood, New Jersey, Sheldon Liebowitz is a product of Englewood's public schools. He graduated from John Marshall Law School, was admitted to the New Jersey Bar on May 6, 1949, and is a member of various Bar Associations. Sheldon Liebowitz served as counsel to the Veterans Loan Authority of the State of New Jersey, the Bergen County Policemen's Benevolent Association, and the International Institute of Municipal Clerks.
Mr. Liebowitz also represented F. Lee Bailey, Esq. when he was involved in civil litigation in New Jersey.
Sheldon Liebowitz has also been appointed by various Judges as a Guardian Ad Litem, Special Fiscal Agent, Discovery Master, Arbitrator and Mediator. Sheldon Liebowitz also sat for approximately 23 years on a special "four-attorney panel" created by the Bergen County Assignment Judge, consisting of two Plaintiffs' attorneys and two Defense attorneys, whose function it was to assist in the settlement of negligence matters.
In addition to his law practice, Sheldon Liebowitz has been active in numerous community activities and charities, including the Englewood Hospital, John Harms Center for the Arts, and Gilda's Club. Sheldon Liebowitz was on the original Board of the Englewood Jewish Community Center, now the JCC on the Palisades. He was honored as Man of the Year by the First Baptist Church of Englewood and the John Harms Center for the Arts.
Back to top
Lawrence P. Stern
Lawrence P. Stern has practiced law in New Jersey as a trial lawyer for over 25 years. During his first decade of practice, he concentrated his efforts in civil trial defense work representing insurance companies, primarily in personal injury claims and defending medical malpractice cases.
For the last 15 years, at Liebowitz, Liebowitz & Stern, he has handled a variety of cases ranging from commercial litigation, social security and discrimination cases, to family law and personal injury, with an emphasis on plaintiffs' personal injury and medical malpractice.
His vast experience, representing both defendants and plaintiffs, and serving the courts as a mediator, has given him great insight which he applies on behalf of all his clients.
Back to top
Hon. Conrad W. Krafte, of counsel
Judge Conrad Krafte, admitted to the New Jersey Bar in 1949, was a partner with Liebowitz, Liebowitz & Stern for 21 years, handling substantial matrimonial and negligence cases until his appointment as a New Jersey Superior Court Judge in January 1979. Judge Krafte served with distinction in the Matrimonial Division in Bergen County for 15 years until February 1, 1994, when he returned to Liebowitz, Liebowitz & Stern as counsel.
Judge Krafte acts as a mediator and arbitrator at the request of the parties in matrimonial matters, and is available for consultation with the firm's attorney and clients in child custody and matrimonial cases.
Back to top
Joseph A. Clark, Jr., of counsel
Joseph A. Clark, Jr., of counsel to Liebowitz, Liebowitz & Stern, has been a trial attorney for plaintiffs' personal injury cases with Liebowitz, Liebowitz & Stern since 1972. Joe Clark brings a unique insight to injury cases from 26 years of experience with insurance companies, and from his previous position as a Branch Claims Manager for Kemper Insurance Company.
Mr. Clark served as an Arbitrator for the New Jersey Superior Court for negligence cases. He was the Borough Attorney for Cliffside Park from 1974 to 1994. In addition, he also served as a special Pre-Trial Master of the City Court of New York and as a Panelist with the New York Motor Vehicle Accident Indemnification Corporation.
Born in Hoboken, he received his L.L.B. from John Marshall Law School and was admitted to the New Jersey Bar in 1968.
Back to top
Dwight D. de Stefan
Dwight D. deStefan is highly experienced in complex litigation matters, including wrongful termination of employment proceedings, law against discrimination cases and all types of Chancery matters. He also has extensive experience in municipal law. He has served as Borough Attorney for Northvale since 1991 and served three years as Assistant Bergen County Counsel. He has held elective office in River Vale since 1983, serving as Mayor and Councilman, and is presently a legislative aide to Assemblyman John E. Rooney.
Mr. DeStefan graduated Summa Cum Laude from Adelphi University in 1975 and received his J.D. from Notre Dame in 1978. He was admitted to practice in New Jersey in 1979 after serving as Law Clerk to the Hon. Thomas J. Farley, J.S.C.
Back to top
Frank Paruolo
Frank Paruolo concentrates on matrimonial, workers' compensation, bail bonds, litigation, criminal law and Municipal Court as well as civil litigation. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Paruolo served as law clerk to Honorable Judge Torack of the Superior Court of New Jersey — Family Part.
Mr. Paruolo received his Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1997, and he is admitted to practice before the New Jersey Bar.
Back to top
Sonam Dasara
Sonam Dasara concentrates in personal injury and negligence matters. He has practiced law for over 20 years, and has considerable experience in the investigation, preparation and settlement of personal injury and products liability claims of all types.
A graduate of Long Island University, Mr. Dasara received his Doctorate in Law from Rutgers University Law School, and has completed graduate work at Fairleigh Dickinson and The Chubb Institute. He was admitted to the New Jersey Bar in 1983.
Back to top
Gary S. Poplaski
Gary S. Poplaski is the transactional attorney for the firm specializing in commercial and residential real estate transactions, preparation of wills, health care directives and trust instruments, estate planning and administration, corporate partnership formations, contract preparation and review, landlord/tenant practice and intellectual property practice. Prior to joining the firm, Mr. Poplaski was an associate with a prominent Wall Street Firm.
Mr. Poplaski received his Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall University School of Law and graduated Magna Cum Laude from Fairleigh Dickinson University with a B.S. in Electrical Engineering Technology. He is admitted to practice before the New Jersey Bar and the New York Bar, and is also admitted to practice before the Federal District Court of New Jersey, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit.
Back to top
Constantinos J. Ballas
Constantinos J. Ballas is one of the litigation attorneys for the firm who concentrates his practice in personal injury, matrimonial, workers' compensation, landlord-tenant, criminal and municipal court.
Mr. Ballas received his juris doctorate degree from Thomas M. Coley Law School and graduated from Seton Hall University with a bachelor of arts. He is admitted to practice before the bars of New Jersey, New York, U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, U.S. District Courts, Southern and Eastern Districts of New York.
Back to top
William C. Rindone, Jr.
William C. Rindone, Jr. has served as New Jersey Deputy Attorney General and in the corporate sector as associate house counsel. Mr. Rindone has been in private general practice for 30 years, with extensive experience in real estate, commercial and governmental litigation in State and Federal Courts, and specializing in matrimonial and negligence appeals.
He received his A.B. from Columbia University, L.L.B. from Notre Dame (Law Review), and was admitted to practice in New Jersey in 1959.
Back to top
Joanne Dobrzynski Legal Assistant
Joanne Dobrzynski has been with Liebowitz, Liebowitz & Stern for 29 years. A key team member, versed in all aspects of matrimonial cases, she acts as a liaison with clients, preparing pleadings and cases for trial, as well as providing courtroom assistance to attorneys and clients in the presentation of cases.
Back to top
Mary Schweizer Legal Assistant
Mary Schweizer has been with Liebowitz, Liebowitz & Stern for 28 years, and is highly experienced in personal injury and medical malpractice claims. She interacts with clients and medical experts, and assists attorneys in personal injury, product liability and medical malpractice cases. In addition, Ms. Schweizer is a primary investigator and assists in evaluating cases for settlement and trial.

