Jay J. Freireich, Esq.

NJ Estate Planning Attorney Jay Freireich

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As a highly recognized attorney of over 30 years, Jay Freireich focuses on tax, estate planning, estates and business, and is skilled in both planning and litigation in these areas – a rare combination.

With a passion for his profession as a lawyer and a larger than life competitive spirit, Jay embraces challenge with a laser focus on achieving results for his clients.

As a top-rated attorney, Jay is easily accessible and eagerly providing help and transparency to his clients whether handling legal cases involving sensitive family dynamics or complex tax issues.

As an estate planner, Jay is experienced in minimizing the risk of litigation. On the other hand, he also has the ability to identify exposure to drive litigation on behalf of his clients.

Jay leverages an advanced degree in taxation as well as a tax and planning background to litigate estate, trust and shareholder disputes as well as complex business issues.

Notable Legal Work in the Courts

Jay successfully assisted in a bill, the Innocent Spouse Tax Law, co-sponsored by Senators D’Amato and Roth, which relieved his client of the tax obligations for a spouse’s underlying liability.

He has successfully argued cases before the United States Court of Appeals, filed tax cases in the United States Supreme Court, and aided many clients in successfully resolving or winning outright multimillion-dollar tax issues.

Jay handles disputes administratively before the Internal Revenue Service and the New Jersey Division of Taxation. He has successfully argued cases before the United States Tax Court, New Jersey State Tax Court, and the United States Court of Appeals for both the Second and Third Circuits. He has successfully filed certiorari briefs to the United States Supreme Court.

Some of Jay’s cases have set strong precedents throughout the United States. He has also represented clients testifying before Congress.

Jay welcomes requests for free initial legal consultations. Call our law firm today to learn how he can help you achieve results in tax, business, estates, and estate planning.

Attorney Jay Freireich in the Media

Many cases that Jay has handled have garnered media attention with publication in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, New York Post, Newark Star-Ledger, New Jersey Law Journal, The National Law Journal, and New Jersey Newsroom.

He appeared on ABC’s “Good Morning America” to discuss the innocent spouse tax law, which he was involved in getting changed to permit his client relief from her husband’s tax transgressions (as mentioned above). After Congress passed and the President signed into law, the decision was retroactive to his client’s taxes.

Jay has also appeared on NJTV News on “Estate Tax Will Begin Phase Out on January 1, 2017.”  Jay also appeared on CNN in a feature story on general income taxation.

Other Jay Freireich Media appearances include:

Top-Rated Estate Planning & Litigation Attorney

AV Preeminent—Jay J. Freireich has earned an AV Preeminent peer review, Martindale-Hubbell’s highest rating for professional excellence. An AV Preeminent rating signifies that many of Jay Freireich’s peers have ranked him at the highest level of professional excellence for his legal knowledge, communication skills, and ethical standards.

Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Ratings allow attorneys to complete anonymous peer reviews where they rate fellow lawyers on a 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest) scale in five categories demonstrating legal ability: Legal Knowledge, Analytical Capabilities, Judgment, Communication Ability, and Legal Experience. In addition, attorneys answer whether or not they believe a lawyer has very high ethical standards. A description of the selection methodology for the AV Preeminent rating can be found at www.martindale.com/ratings. The Supreme Court of New Jersey has approved no aspect of this advertisement.

New Jersey Super Lawyers—Jay Freireich was named to the New Jersey Super Lawyers list three consecutive years from 2015 to 2017. No more than 5% of lawyers are named to the List.

Super Lawyers employs a selection process that represents small, medium, and large law firms in over 70 practice areas across the United States.

Super Lawyers has a patented four-step selection process for identifying lawyers who exhibit excellence in the practice of law. The four steps are nominations, independent research, peer evaluations, and final selection. Thomson Reuters issues the Super Lawyers list. A description of the Super Lawyers selection process can be found at https://www.superlawyers.com/about/selection_process_detail.html. The Supreme Court of New Jersey has approved no aspect of this advertisement.

ALM Top Legal Leader for New York and New Jersey, 2015 – Jay Freireich has been named Top Legal Leader for New York and New Jersey, 2015.  ALM, an integrated media company, is a leading provider of specialized business news and information focused primarily on the legal and commercial real estate sectors. ALM’s brands include The American Lawyer, Corporate Counsel, GlobeSt.com, Insight Conferences, Law.com, Law Journal Press, LegalTech, The National Law Journal, and Real Estate Forum.

LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell is ALM’s exclusive content provider for various attorney projects, such as compiling and sharing information on lawyers in specific geographic areas who have achieved the AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rating — the highest Peer Review rating available. ALM uses the information to publish the Martindale-Hubbell Top Rated Lawyers, Top Ranked Law Firms, and Women Leaders in the Law special sections in more than 30 publications nationally. These reports are also featured on law.com and Martindale.com®. The Supreme Court of New Jersey has approved no aspect of this advertisement.

10.0 rating by AVVO – Jay J Freireich has received a 10.0 Rating from AVVO.  AVVO is an online marketplace that provides lawyer referrals and access to a database of legal information. Lawyer profiles may include client reviews, disciplinary actions, peer endorsements, and lawyer-submitted legal guides.  AVVO is also a review site that allows former clients to review and rate their attorney’s performance. A description of the AVVO rating process can be found here. The Supreme Court of New Jersey has approved no aspect of this advertisement.

Call Jay Freireich to schedule a free initial consultation with a top-rated attorney in New York and New Jersey.

Areas of Practice:

  • Tax Planning
  • Tax Litigation
  • Estate Planning
  • Estate Litigation
  • Estates
  • Business Planning
  • Business Litigation

Bar Admissions

  • New Jersey, 1987
  • New York
  • Pennsylvania
  • Florida, 1986

Court Admissions

  • United States Court of Federal Claims

Education

  • Nova University School of Law, Davie, Florida
    • J.D. – 1985
  • University of Miami, Coral Gables, Florida
    • LL.M. in Taxation – 1986
  • York University, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
    • B.A. – 1982

Professional Associations and Memberships

  • Essex County Bar Association, Member
  • Morris County Bar Association, Member

Past Employment Positions

  • Brach Eichler L.L.C., Member 2010-2017
  • Poe & Freireich, P.A., Shareholder and Associate, 1987-2010

Pro Bono Activities

  • Livingston Sunrise Rotary Club, Livingston, New Jersey, Member and Incoming President, July 2018
  • Temple Emanu-El of West Essex Men’s Club, Livingston, New Jersey, eight years, including two years as the President; and 4 years  as Vice President
  • Temple Beth-El, Hillsborough, NJ, President of Brotherhood, 10 years including two years as President; and 4 years as Vice President