Cohn Lifland Pearlman Herrmann & Knopf LLP is proud to announce that the New Jersey Appellate Division has affirmed—through a published opinion—our firm’s victory on behalf of plaintiff Michele Arminio in Arminio v. Monroe Township Board of Education, Docket No. A-0207-24, thanks to the exceptional representation of our own Walter M. Luers, Esq. and Christina N. Stripp, Esq. The decision, released on November 24, 2025, is approved for publication, making it precedential and an important contribution to New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) jurisprudence.
How the Case Reached the Appellate Division
This matter began after the Monroe Township Board of Education filled a vacant board seat following discussions held entirely in closed session. Represented by Mr. Luers, Ms. Arminio challenged the Board’s actions as violating the OPMA by deliberating and effectively deciding the outcome outside the public eye. The trial court agreed and voided the appointment.
The Board appealed, and Cohn Lifland attorneys Walter Luers and Christina Stripp successfully defended the ruling before the Appellate Division. In its published decision, the appellate court affirmed the trial court’s judgment (as modified) and held that while a board may discuss certain personnel matters privately, it must still provide meaningful public transparency before taking action on filling an elected office vacancy. The court emphasized the public’s right to witness and comment on government decision-making and reaffirmed New Jersey’s strong commitment to open governance.
A Landmark Ruling in New Jersey
This is a significant victory not only for our client, but also for open government advocates across the state. A published opinion provides statewide guidance for school boards and public bodies on how to comply with the OPMA when filling vacancies.
We congratulate Walter Luers and Christina Stripp for their exceptional advocacy at both the trial and appellate levels.