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THE WARREN-WATCHUNG CONNECTION
APRIL/MAY 2016
The business world has evolved, and so too should attorneys in the manner in which they conduct their practice and serve the interests of their clients. Haratz Law LLC represents the evolution of legal counsel, delivering legal advice and solutions that are proactive, practical, risk/reward- and cost/benefit-sensible, and driven first and foremost by optimal business, marketplace and strategic objectives of the client. Representing a client means caring not only about the outcome but the welfare of the client on the path to the outcome. Michael Haratz, Esq. has over 30 years of experience in complex commercial litigation, negotiation, general commercial/corporate counseling, and risk management. His legal strategies have resulted in demonstrable business and financial benefits for his clients. He holds a Juris Doctor degree from The Cornell Law School, a Bachelor of Arts degree from The University of Pennsylvania, where he graduatedmagna cum laude; and he received an MBA in Finance and Entrepreneurial Management fromRutgers Business School, where he led a team of MBA candidate consultants recognized with theWalters Award for excellence on a year-long cross- disciplinary business consulting engagement. More recently, he has taught MBA candidates how best to navigate legal and ethical minefields andmanage relations with the wide range of corporate stakeholders, as mid- and senior-level managers of a global business. Michael strives each day to earn anew the respect of his clients on a professional level, while interacting in a manner that leads them to like him on a personal level. His clients have expressed the following observations of their experience: “The most intelligent and ethical attorney I have ever had the opportunity to work with in my forty plus years in business.” “Awonderful person to have on your side no matter what the circumstances.” “A brilliant attorney; a man of utmost integrity …Michael brings with him a considerable amount of diligence, insight andmaturity to every legal case … and a natural ability to cultivate personal and professional relationships.” “I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you did for me.” 120 Eagle Rock Avenue, Suite 141 East Hanover, New Jersey 07936 Telephone: (862) 209-1555 Fax: (862) 209-1554 140 Broadway, 46th Floor New York, New York 10005 Telephone: (212) 208-1480 Fax: (212) 208-1483 Email: Michael.Haratz@HaratzLaw.com Website: http://www.HaratzLaw.com Michael S. Haratz. Esq. When Joyce and Rich Davis traveled to Florida in December 2000, they never could have imagined the impact of that trip. Visit- ing Rich’s parents with their three young chil- dren, 6 year old Eliza, 4 year old Lauren, and their newest addition, 4.5 month old Garret, the family was set for vacation, not for a series of events that would forever change their lives. A Pack-n-Play, purchased for Garret to sleep in, was made to be “more comfort- able” by purchasing a supplemental mat- tress, sold right next to the crib. The com- bination of that mattress and the soft-sided crib suffocated Garret when his face was caught between the gap caused by the added mattress and the side of the soft- sided crib, and he tragically passed away. How the Davis’ turned their loss into passion and purpose is the story of KEEP- ING BABIES SAFE. Their timeless dedica- tion to promoting safe sleep for all babies is nothing short of remarkable, and each day, more babies are benefiting from this chari- ty’s work. After Garret’s death, Rich, an attorney, did extensive research and found that there were other babies that died in a similar manner. In 2003, he met Jack Walsh, a crib- safety expert, who explained to him that while these risks were known, there were no laws to keep retailers from selling these two items side by side. Together they lob- bied Congress, meeting with Robert Torri- celli, Robert Frelinghuysen and Jon Corzine (then all Representatives of NJ), fighting for stronger crib laws. While the accomplish- ments in the field of child safety product laws had been remarkable, there was much to be done in the world of safe sleep environ- ments. In 2008, Joyce, now with 3 girls at home in Warren, (She and Rich became parents to Jamie in 2002) became the president of KEEPING BABIES SAFE, a founda- tion aimed toward the legislation of safer sleep laws. Three years later, thanks to Joyce’s tireless efforts, the strongest crib laws in 30 years went into effect. Drop-sided cribs were eliminated with 2 million recalls; stronger hardware was used, and laws for residential cribs mandated 3rd party test- ing. All hotels and day care centers all had to comply. But new cribs cost money, and that is where fundraising comes in. KBS’ “Project Safe Crib” donates cribs to hospitals and human service agencies that get the cribs to needy families in NJ. Every $125.00 donation pays for a brand new crib for a family in need. To date, KEEPING BABIES SAFE has donated over 8,000 cribs! Each year, Joyce coordinates a 5-K walk at Harry Dunham Park in Basking Ridge, where friends, family, and local running enthu- siasts come out for a morning of music, food, and of course, a run/walk! This has become a yearly event that many in our community look forward to and participate in. A big part of KBS’s mission is educating new parents on safe sleep and perhaps the biggest moment for KBS came this past January, when Gover- nor Chris Christie signed into law that ALL hospitals and birthing centers were required to educate new parents on crib safety. Until now, parents were taught about car seats and lactation, but never safe sleep! A quick review: What is safe sleep? BARE is best! No bumpers, blankets or stuffed animals! HOW OLD IS YOUR CRIB or Play Yard? If it’s manufactured before 2013 your crib and play yard are no longer considered safe. Take your emotional attachment out if it, and get rid of any old cribs or play yards that you may have been holding onto. And never, ever, add a sup- plemental mattress to a portable crib as this is a known suffocation hazard. Last year KEEPING BABIES SAFE, backed by the American Academy of Pedi- atrics, was successful in docketing a petition with the CPSC (U.S. Consumer Product Safe- ty Commission) to ban the sale of supple- mental mattresses. Since the filing of this public petition, TOYS R US, buybuy BABY, K- MART, SEARS and WAYFAIR.COM have all voluntarily pulled the sale of these mattress- es, thanks to Joyce and KBS! The biggest sale of this dangerous combination right now is AMAZON & WALMART, where unfor- tunately, no matter how hard Joyce and her team have been trying, there are still moms and grandmas posting reviews of how well their babies slept in a play yard, and con- tributing that to the extra mattress. But I know Joyce. And I have no doubt that her dedication and promise to honor her young son will not rest until there are no more sales of supplemental mattresses, and every single baby in the USA is doing what they have a right to do… sleep safely. To donate to KEEPING BABIES SAFE and learn more about safe sleep, visit their website: keepingbabiessafe.org If you know of someone in your community who is helping to make a difference in others’ lives, please email Anna a t Connectionsnj@gmail.com o r call 908-903-1799. Caring Joyce Davis, President KEEPING BABIES SAFE By: Lauren Greenberg Rich, Joyce, Eliza, Lauren, Jamie Davis www.theconnectionsnj.com