Baldante & Rubenstein P.C. Partner John Baldante was featured in several articles surrounding an important decision made by Judge Avion Benjamin of Essex County on November 12, 2025. Judge Benjamin ordered that Seton Hall University was compelled to produce over 20,000 documents in the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Newark Clergy Sexual Abuse Litigation.
Baldante & Rubenstein P.C., serving as one of the lead Plaintiffs’ Liaison Counsel, argued that Seton Hall University violated prior Court Orders compelling the production of these documents and refuted Seton Hall’s belated claim that these documents were justifiably concealed because they were allegedly protected under the attorney-client privilege.
Judge Benjamin reviewed all 20,000+ documents and ordered that virtually all the documents were discoverable with very limited, narrow redactions permitted. “These documents are going to reveal additional examples of systemic behavior within both the archdiocese and Seton Hall where these institutions failed to discipline priests accused of sexual abuse and ratified a culture that turned a blind eye to perpetrators who preyed on these vulnerable children,” Baldante said.
This decision was highlighted by Politico, the New Jersey Monitor, The Setonian, and KMJ Now News Talk Radio.
For more information, please contact John Baldante at baldante@BRattorneys.com.