Franklin native joins Sparta law firm

SPARTA — Franklin native Thomas H. Prol recently joined the Laddey, Clark & Ryan law firm as a partner in its Environmental and Government Affairs group

Prol is a graduate of Franklin Elementary School, Sussex Christian School, and Wallkill Regional High School, concentrates his legal work in environmental law public entity representation and business litigation. He is the vice president of the New Jersey State Bar Association and is expected to ascend to the organization’s presidency in 2016; he will be the third attorney from Sussex County to do so in the association’s 115-year history.

“Tom’s resume is remarkably impressive and his background will complement our firm’s work well,” says Tom Ryan Esq., managing partner at Laddey, Clark & Ryan. “He is respected across the state, has appeared before the Supreme Court and the Appellate Division, has published volumes of scholarly articles, and lectures regularly on substantive and timely legal matters.”

Prol is licensed to practice law in both New Jersey and New York and, prior to practicing in Franklin, he served as associate general counsel and agency chief contracting officer for the New York City Department of Consumer Affairs. He has an impressive resume that includes teaching at NY Law School, working as an environmental scientist and enforcement officer for the US Environmental Protection Agency, and serving two years as a volunteer in the U.S. Peace Corps in Nepal. He has held externships with the U.S. Attorney’s Office (EDNY), the NYC Commission on Human Rights, CNN, and the Carter Presidential Center.

The decision to accept a partnership at Laddey Clark & Ryan was an easy one, as Prol sees his joining the firm a perfect fit.

“Laddey, Clark & Ryan has an incredible reputation for delivery of high-quality, low-cost effective legal work on behalf of public and private entities,” Prol said. “The firm manages an impressive number of portfolios that dovetail with the legal skills and abilities I have honed over the years as an attorney."

Prol has been recognized for his dedication to making a difference, including his advocacy in support of NJ’s landmark Anti-bullying Bill of Rights and other civil rights measures. He argued the defense of that law before the NJ Council on Local Mandates in addition to appearing and filing numerous friend-of-the-court briefs over the last decade before the NJ Supreme Court and the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. He was named the state’s “Young Lawyer of the Year” in 2004 and lauded as one of “magnificent seven” NJ attorneys that year by New Jersey Lawyer magazine. He currently sits on the NJ Supreme Court’s Board on Mandatory Continuing Legal Education.