JOSEPH M. RASA

tel: 973.889.8800 fax: 973.889.8811 e-mail: joe@mirzaianhardesty.com Practice Areas Bankruptcy Litigation Tax Resolution Real Estate Commercial Transactions Estate Litigation, Planning and Administration Criminal Law Family Law

 

Mr. Rasa focuses his practice in the areas of bankruptcy, civil and criminal litigation, tax litigation and appeals, real estate, estate litigation, planning and administration. A significant portion of his litigation practice centers around disputes arising from real estate and other contract matters. His client base includes individuals, closely held businesses and publicly held companies.

Mr. Rasa started his legal career in 1998 as an associate in the tax department of Fox and Fox, LLP where he counseled individuals and businesses in connection with issues concerning ERISA and charitable giving, as well as a wide range of federal and state income, estate, gift and employment taxation issues. After departing Fox and Fox, Mr. Rasa formed a partnership with Gregg D. Trautmann, Esq., a litigation attorney located in Boonton, New Jersey. At Trautmann and Rasa, L.L.C., Mr. Rasa continued his tax practice, while also developing substantial litigation and real estate practices. Thereafter, Mr. Rasa joined the firm of Sweeney, Tom & Rasa, P.A., where he broadened his litigation practice, and continued his real estate, tax and commercial transaction practices.

Mr. Rasa is admitted to practice law before the Bars of the States of New Jersey and New York. He is a member of the New Jersey State and Morris County Bar Associations. He is an active member of the Bankruptcy Inns of Court.

Mr. Rasa received his B.S. Degree in Business Administration from Montclair State University in 1986. Upon his graduation from Montclair State, Mr. Rasa ran his family’s business, Jersey Produce Company, Inc., a wholesale food distribution company based in Paterson, New Jersey. Under his direction, Jersey Produce Company's annual revenues grew from less than $750,000 to over $8 million.

After nearly 10 years at Jersey Produce, Mr. Rasa entered law school and earned his J.D. Degree from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1998. After his second year at Seton Hall, Mr. Rasa enrolled in an accelerated Master of Laws program at New York University School of Law and earned his LL.M. Degree in taxation from NYU School of law 1998. As a result of Mr. Rasa’s employment experience prior to law school, complimented by his legal education and background in taxation, he is well suited to provide legal counsel on a wide range of commercial issues.

Education

LL.M, Taxation, New York University School of Law, 1998
J.D., Seton Hall University School of Law, 1998
B.S., Business Administration, Montclair State University, 1986

Bar Admissions

State of New Jersey, 1998
United States District Court, District of New Jersey, 1998
State of New York, 1999
United States Tax Court, 2000

Professional Associations

New Jersey State Bar Association
Morris County Bar Association
Bankruptcy Inns of Court