Trusted Counsel for Probate Litigation, Estate Planning, and Guardianships
Jeffrey Trapanese is a Partner in the firm’s Elder Law, Special Needs, and Estate Litigation Departments, with an emphasis on probate litigation, guardianships, special medical guardianships, estate planning, estate administration matters, and related real estate transactions.
Jeff also provides fiduciary services and serves as Administrator and Trustee in both complex and simple estate and trust matters. Jeff regularly serves in the capacity of Conservator, Guardian Ad Litem, Temporary Guardian, and Permanent Legal Guardian for incapacitated adults and disabled minors. Jeff’s practice areas include General Equity Litigation, such as quiet title actions, partition, and business dissolution litigation, as well as Civil Litigation including collection matters, and commercial and contractual disputes. During his 30 years of practice, Jeff has handled a variety of other litigated matters including medical malpractice, personal injury, product liability, divorce, domestic violence, residential and commercial property tax appeals, landlord-tenant matters, as well as criminal, juvenile, and municipal court proceedings. For nearly a decade, Jeff also served as a member of the Legal Department for the Township of Little Falls, where he handled all facets of municipal law. Before that time, he also served as Municipal Prosecutor in the Township of Little Falls.
Jeff earned his Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Delaware in 1992 and his Juris Doctor from the Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center at Touro College in 1995. After graduating from law school, Jeff started his legal career as a Law Clerk to the Hon. Peter Ciolino, AJSC in Bergen County.
Jeff is licensed to practice law in New Jersey State Courts, as well as the United States District Court. He is a graduate of the Justice Robert L. Clifford American Inns of Court, a Past President of the Passaic County Bar Association, a Member of the New Jersey State Bar Association, as well as former Chair of the District XI Ethics Committee. Jeff also received a four (4) year appointment from the Supreme Court of New Jersey for service in the Office of Attorney Ethics Volunteer III Project, to investigate and prosecute complex ethics grievances. He has also served as a Volunteer Mediator for the Passaic County Special Civil Part for a period of twenty-five (25) years.
In 2017, Jeff received the Distinguished Civil Practitioner Award from the Passaic County Bar Association and Professionalism Award in 2018.
Awards —
*No aspect of the advertisement or award(s) listed below has been approved by the Supreme Court of any state or the American Bar Association. A description of the standard or methodology used can be found here.
Distinguished Civil Practitioner Award
Professionalism Award
Professional Affiliations —
Passaic County Bar Association
New Jersey State Bar Association
Former Municipal Prosecutor for the Township of Little Falls
Former District XI Ethics Committee
Speaking Engagements —
Mandelbaum Barrett PC’s 3rd Annual Elder Law Day, May 19, 2026.
