LISA I. GREEBEL VS. MICHAEL A. LENSAK (FM-19-0178-15, SUSSEX COUNTY AND STATEWIDE) (A-1784-19)
In this appeal, the court addresses two post-judgment orders in this palimony case between plaintiff Lisa Greebel and defendant Michael Lensak. The parties never married, but shared a long-term, romantic relationship from approximately 2000 to 2013. During this time, the parties purchased a home, cohabitated, and raised their daughter, born in 2001.
In 2005, plaintiff obtained legal advice from attorney Vincent Celli about her right to financial support from defendant if the parties ever ended their relationship without marrying. Using a different attorney, plaintiff filed a palimony suit in 2014. The case settled in 2018. One year later, Mr. Celli filed a motion for defendant to vacate the final judgement pursuant to Rule 4:50-1, re-open discovery, and set aside the parties' settlement agreement. Plaintiff filed a cross-motion to disqualify Mr. Celli and his firm from representing defendant, alleging the 2005 consultation created a disqualifying conflict.
The court affirms the disqualification of the Celli firm and the dismissal without prejudice of defendant's motion to vacate the final judgment; however, we reverse the provision sealing and barring further use of the motion pleadings.
