courts and federal courts nationwide. Mr. Rifai has tried cases before judges and juries.
He has handled cases in the chancery division, law division, criminal division, family courts
and administrative courts. While other attorneys rarely try cases Mr. Rifai regularly takes
cases to trial and achieves the best possible result. While others may push you to settle
Mr. Rifai will give you the confidence to go to trial. Jurors are presented a coherent case
to render a favorable verdict.
Prosecute plaintiff’s civil litigation matters including: wrongful death, airplane crashes, lead
paint poisoning, and medical malpractice. Prepare and prosecute civil litigation matters
including wrongful termination, civil rights, and discrimination matters.
Defend businesses in civil litigation matters including: construction litigation, cemetery
board violations and discrimination suits. Defend businesses in civil litigation matters
including negligent hiring and retention, breach of contract and construction disputes.
Advised businesses on due diligence procedures and litigation avoidance
CRIMINAL DEFENSE
Representation of defendants in state and federal criminal matters with focus on white
collar credit card bust out schemes, terrorism violations, murder, kidnapping, robbery and
weapons charges. Representation of over 200 clients in Federal Bureau of Investigation
matters with only two clients indicted.
HIGH PROFILE CASES/CLIENTS
United States v. Holy Land Foundation
United States v. Ptech
United States v. Soliman Biheiri (witnesses)
Dar Ul-Islah v. Marriott Hotels
Waesam Hamdan & Eyhab Matari v. American Airlines
Special Agent Ziad Jiries v. Department of Justice, Attorney General John Ashcroft
Mohamed Jamal Tabaa v. Bergen County Board of Medical Examiners
Lorillard Tobacco v. Lake Exxon, Tigermart
MEDIA ADVOCACY
Fox News, Hannity & Colmes, appearances on a wide range of public policy issues.
NBC, appearances regarding commentary on litigation matters.
ABC, appearances regarding commentary on litigation matters.
CBS, appearances regarding commentary on litigation matters.
Channel 12, NJN News, commentary on litigation matters.
UPN 9 News, commentary on litigation matters.
WB11 News, commentary on litigation matters.
MSNBC, commentary on litigation matters.
Cable programming, commentary on litigation matters.
ART Network, appearances regarding commentary on litigation matters.
Star Ledger, Herald News, Bergen Record, Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Boston
Herald, Globe & Mail, Miami Herald, and Dallas Morning News commentary on litigation
matters and public policy issues.
Quoted in over 200 newspapers nationally including the Associated Press and Reuters
News services.
Interviewed by over 30 different radio stations nationally.
Al-Jazeera Television
Alhurra Television
COMMUNITY ADVOCACY
Participation with Arab American Institute, Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee
and others.
Board of Directors, Urban League of Hudson County (former).
Board of Trustees, American Muslim Union (former).
Board of Directors, Islamic Free Market Institute
Co-Founder, ADC New Orleans
Certified by the Department of Justice, Community Relations Service in cultural sensitivity
training
POLITICAL ADVOCACY
Deputy Chairman, New Jersey Republican State Committee.
Co-Chairman, Lawyers committee of Schundler for Governor of New Jersey.
Co-Chairman, Yosri for Congress, 5th District, New Jersey.
Co-Chairman committee Bill Bradley for President
Co-Chaired committee, Marc Morial for Mayor of New Orleans.
Participation in many political campaigns, local, state & federal.
LOBBYING ADVOCACY
Lobbied for the lifting of sanctions on Iraq post the first Persian Gulf war.
Lobbied in favor of extended incarceration of sexual predator’s before the Louisiana
Legislature. Drafted legislative bill to accomplish same.
Lobbied in opposition to appointment of Golan Cipel as Head of New Jersey office of
Homeland Security.
EDUCATION
NITA Trial Advocacy Certification, Notre Dame Law School
Legislative Advocacy Certification, The Public Law Center
Juris Doctor, Loyola Law School (1994)
Bachelor of Arts (double major), political science, philosophy/political theory, Rutgers
University (1991)
Internship, The Public Law Center
Internship, International Law Institute
Internship, National Arab American Association
Internship, Arab American Anti-Discrimination Committee
MEMBERSHIPS
American Bar Association
Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Republican National Committee
