Little Falls law firm expands while local coffee shop faces serious allegations
Scarinci Hollenbeck adds four litigators to its Little Falls office as a former employee warns residents about safety and labor practices at Forum Coffee.
The legal landscape in Little Falls is shifting as Scarinci Hollenbeck LLC announced significant growth for its Litigation Group. The firm, which operates out of the township, recently added four new attorneys to strengthen its capabilities across New Jersey and New York offices.
This expansion follows a previous announcement last month where eight other attorneys joined the organization. The latest additions include partners Paul S. Grossman and Jay R. McDaniel alongside counsel Chris Seelinger.
Oleksandr Kryvenko joins the team as a senior associate, bringing further depth to the firm's litigation services in the region. These moves signal an aggressive push by the Little Falls-based company to increase its market presence.
Local Business Controversy
While one local institution grows through hiring, another faces severe criticism from a former worker regarding safety and management practices. A post on Reddit warns residents to avoid supporting Forum Coffee due to alleged mistreatment of staff and customers alike.
The anonymous author claims the owner, identified as Bobby Grogan, has harassed individuals over negative reviews by posting them publicly on Instagram stories. This behavior reportedly creates a hostile environment for anyone who dares to criticize the establishment online.
Serious health concerns were also raised regarding food safety at the Little Falls location of Forum Coffee. The source alleges that expired items such as milk and quiches were served to customers after being marketed as fresh despite sitting in freezers too long.
The post states that old soft serve was also distributed before proper expiration dates passed, posing potential risks to public health. These claims suggest a pattern of negligence where cost-cutting or waste reduction took precedence over customer safety standards.
Regulatory and Labor Issues
According to the former employee, the Little Falls location faced immediate regulatory action upon opening due to sanitation failures. The health department reportedly shut down the business for its first week because it lacked proper sanitation protocols.
Labor practices at Forum Coffee are described as abusive by someone who worked there directly under Bobby Grogan's management. Employees were allegedly spoken to in dehumanizing ways and discarded without regard for their well-being or rights.
The source claims that many workers have been wrongfully terminated, particularly those who disagreed with unsafe business practices implemented by the owners. This culture of fear reportedly led to high turnover rates among staff members at the location.
In a specific incident cited in the post, an employee was fired after raising concerns about safety violations despite whistleblower rights being posted on the walls. The owner allegedly removed these posters immediately following the termination to hide their disregard for labor laws.
Community Celebrations Continue
Despite local business controversies, community spirit remains strong across New Jersey's 11th Congressional District as residents celebrated recent national holidays. Officials and neighbors gathered in Little Falls and surrounding towns to mark America's 250th anniversary on the Fourth of July.
The holiday festivities included a visit from district representatives who walked in the Florham Park parade before heading to the Little Falls Street Fair. These events provided opportunities for friends, families, volunteers, and neighbors to connect over shared celebrations.
Other stops during the commemorative tour included Denville Day and the Livingston Fourth of July Fair, highlighting broad participation across Morris County communities. The day concluded with gratitude expressed toward everyone who helped make the nation's bicentennial special.
What Residents Should Know
For Little Falls residents navigating these mixed developments, the contrast between corporate expansion and local business disputes offers a complex picture of township life. While Scarinci Hollenbeck brings more legal resources to the area through its new hires, consumers must weigh risks before patronizing Forum Coffee.
The allegations against Forum Coffee remain unverified by official reports in the provided sources but come from an insider with direct experience at the location. Residents concerned about food safety or labor ethics may wish to investigate further before spending money there.
Meanwhile, the successful execution of Fourth of July events suggests that community engagement remains a priority for local leaders and organizations alike. These gatherings continue to serve as vital touchpoints for neighbors in Morris County regardless of individual business challenges.
Questions residents are asking
Who are the new attorneys joining Scarinci Hollenbeck?
The firm added partners Paul S. Grossman and Jay R. McDaniel, counsel Chris Seelinger, and senior associate Oleksandr Kryvenko to its Litigation Group.
What specific safety issues were reported at Forum Coffee?
A former employee claims expired milk, quiches, and soft serve were served while the health department shut down the location for a week due to sanitation failures.
Sources
- Scarinci Hollenbeck adds four litigators at New Jersey and New York offices (roi-nj.com)
- Forum Coffee (reddit.com)
- It was a great Fourth of July celebrating America's 250th anniversary with communities across NJ-11! From walking in the Florham Park parade, to visiting the Little Falls Street Fair, stopping by De (instagram.com)