about us
Meet Our Team
Welcome to Fernandez & Garcia, your trusted legal advocates in Morristown and Elizabeth, NJ, providing expert counsel and representation in criminal defense, DWI, restraining orders, traffic tickets, and employment law matters. With decades of combined experience, our team is dedicated to defending your rights and achieving the best possible outcomes for your case.
Our History: Established with a commitment to excellence, Fernandez & Garcia has served the legal needs of individuals and businesses in Morristown and Elizabeth, NJ, for over three decades. Our founders, Mr. Fernandez and Mr. Garcia, bring extensive experience and a track record of success to every case they handle.
Points of Interest – Morristown, NJ:
- Historic Morristown Green: Explore the rich history of Morristown at this iconic town square, which played a pivotal role in the American Revolutionary War.
- Frelinghuysen Arboretum: Enjoy the beauty of nature at this expansive arboretum, which features gardens, trails, and educational programs.
Points of Interest – Elizabeth, NJ:
- Liberty Hall Museum: Step back in time at this historic estate, once home to New Jersey’s first elected governor and now a museum showcasing American history.
- Warinanco Park: Relax and unwind in this scenic park, offering playgrounds, sports facilities, and walking trails.
Why Choose Fernandez & Garcia:
Experience: With over 36 years of experience in labor and employment law, commercial litigation, criminal defense, and municipal work, our attorneys possess the depth of knowledge and legal acumen necessary to navigate even the most complex legal challenges.
Expertise: Our practice encompasses various legal areas, including insurance defense, mass tort, business litigation, white-collar defense, and crisis management. We leverage our diverse skill set to provide comprehensive solutions tailored to each client’s unique needs.
Authority: As former Essex County Counsel, Assistant Union County Counsel, and Union Township Municipal Prosecutor, Mr. Fernandez and Mr. Garcia are recognized authorities in the legal community. They have tried bench trials, jury trials, and cases before binding arbitrators, earning a reputation for tenacity and professionalism.
Trust: At Fernandez & Garcia, trust is the foundation of our client relationships. We understand the importance of open communication, transparency, and integrity, and we are committed to earning your trust through dedicated advocacy and unwavering support.
With Fernandez & Garcia by your side, you can trust that your legal matters are in capable hands. Let us guide you through the complexities of the legal system and advocate tirelessly for your rights and interests.
JUAN C. FERNANDEZ
Mr. Fernandez has 36 years of experience in labor and employment law and commercial litigation and has also served as Essex County Counsel, Assistant Union County Counsel and Union Township Municipal Prosecutor. He is a former member of the District Ethics Committee and The New Jersey Educational Facilities Authority.
Mr. Fernandez has tried bench trials, jury trials and cases before a Binding Arbitrator including Labor and Employment, Personal Injury, Commercial Litigation, Matrimonial and Criminal cases. He maintains an active litigation practice in labor and employment matters and has represented corporate clients and plaintiffs in the courts of New Jersey, New York and abroad. Mr. Fernandez also provides commercial litigation services to corporate clients focused on restrictive covenants and employment disputes. Mr. Fernandez is a member of the New Jersey State and Federal Bars.
Mr. Fernandez is fluent in Spanish.
MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS
- Member, New Jersey State Ethics Commission
NJ Educational Facilities Authority – Member, 1996 – 2004 - Member, Council on Litigation Management (CLM)
PRACTICE AREAS
- Appellate
- Business Litigation
- Complex Litigation
- Fiduciaries & Court-Appointments
- Health Care
- Labor & Employment
- Law Firm Defense
- Municipal and Local Government
- White Collar Defense and Investigations
ADMISSIONS
- State of New Jersey
- U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
- U.S. Court of Appeals, 3rd Circuit
EDUCATION
- Creighton University School of Law (J.D.)
- Kean College (B.A. Political Science)
MICHAEL (MIGUEL) GARCIA
Michael (Miguel) Garcia’s practice is dedicated to insurance defense, mass tort, criminal defense and municipal work. Mr. Garcia participates in the defense of clients’ interests in all phases of litigation. He also conducts corporate and municipal investigations regarding allegations of employee misconduct, harassment and/or discrimination. Additionally, he works with Township Administrators and Business Administrators, Town Councils and Department Heads to draft Ordinances and Requests for Proposals.
Prior to creating this firm, Mr. Garcia was Of Counsel to O’Toole Scrivo. Mr. Garcia was an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey. He was assigned to the Public Protections Unit and was the liaison to the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section of the U.S. Department of Justice. He also prosecuted mail fraud, social security fraud, passport fraud and narcotics cases. Mr. Garcia is a member of the NJ, NY, and PA Bars.
Mr. Garcia is fluent in Spanish.
NOTABLE REPRESENTATIONS
- Third Circuit Decisions:
Hernandez v. City of Union City, 264 Fed. Appx. 221 (3d Cir.2008)
United States v. Castro, 66 Fed. Appx. 331 (3d Cir. 2003) - Appellate Division Decisions:
In re Ortiz, 2010 N.J. Super. Unpub. LEXIS 1296 (App. Div. June 15, 2010)
In re Trust Under Agree of Vander Poel, 396 N.J. Super. 218 (App. Div. 2007)
HONORS & AWARDS
- Syracuse University College of Law
Dean’s List, 1992 – 1994
U.S. Law Week Award, 1994
Charles H. Revson Fellowship, 1992 - Syracuse University Graduate College
Graduate Teaching Assistantship/Fellowship, 1993 – 1994 - Dartmouth College
1927 Joseph P. Dallet Memorial Prize, 1991
Academic Citation, 1989 – 1991
MEMBERSHIPS & AFFILIATIONS
- Diamond Scholarship and Charitable Fund, Inc., 2004 2006 Secretary
- Kappa Alpha Psi
PRACTICE AREAS
- Crisis Management
- Environmental
- Municipal and Local Government
- White Collar Defense and Investigations
- Toxic and Mass Tort
ADMISSIONS
- State of New Jersey
- State of New York
- Commonwealth of Pennsylvania
- United States Supreme Court
EDUCATION
- Syracuse University College of Law (J.D.)
- Syracuse University Graduate College (M.A. in Foreign Languages)
- Dartmouth College (A.B. in Spanish and Government)
- Universidad de Salamanca, Spain (visiting student)
- Richard J. Hughes Inns of Court