Mr. Ragno has been associated with the firm since 1980. Prior, he served as law clerk to the Honorable John J. Geronimo, J.S.C., Presiding Judge - Civil, Superior Court, Law Division, Hudson County for the 1979-80 judicial term.
Real Property Tax Appeals
Mr. Ragno has headed the firm's State and local property tax/valuation practice group since 1985, representing taxpayers and municipalities alike in litigated matters before the Tax Court of New Jersey and the various County Tax Boards. In this capacity, he and his group have successfully litigated and/or negotiated substantial property tax reductions for such clients of the firm as J.P. Morgan, Vornado Realty Trust ,Tosco Corporation, Exxon Corporation, Tropicana, Dow Chemical, Mack-Cali Realty, Hartz Mountain Industries, K-Mart, Simon Property Group, Vornado Realty Trust, ING Clarion Partners, Honeywell and Toll Brothers to name but a few.
Redevelopment/Tax Abatement
In the redevelopment field, Mr. Ragno has negotiated both long and short-term tax abatements for many prominent redevelopers throughout the State, including several involving substantial projects on the Jersey City waterfront. In addition, he has lectured on Long Term Tax Abatement programs for the Association of Municipal Assessors of New Jersey and the Redevelopment Law Institute and took a lead role in drafting the 2003 reform of the Long Term Tax Exemption Law.
Employment Law
Also, Mr. Ragno's practice includes the representation of employers and employees alike in the field of employment law. In this capacity, he has drafted customized employee handbooks for clients of the firm, lectured on a variety of issues impacting the workplace, and led internal investigations of workplace harassment and discrimination claims on behalf of his clients.
Representation Before Committee on Character
On a selective basis, Mr. Ragno represents New Jersey Bar Candidates before the Supreme Court Committee on Character.
Mr. Ragno served two terms as a New Jersey State Bar Association Representative to the New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on the Tax Court, and is a former member and Chairman of the Board of the Statewide Panel of the New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Character.
Bar Admissions
State of New Jersey (1980)
United States District Court for the Southern District of New York (1985)
United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York (1984)
United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit (1985)
Memberships
Former Chairman of Statewide Panel of the New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Character
New Jersey State Bar Association - Real Property Tax Practice and Procedure Committee