Your Goals Are Our Priority
Our lawyers are dedicated to understanding the unique perspective of each and every client. We believe that our advice is only as valuable as our appreciation of your concerns. We see ourselves as problem solvers. We pride ourselves on crafting solutions that work, for everyone.
Since 1936
Novins York Jacobus & dooley
Expertise
We focus on the specific, technical and seemingly ever-changing areas of real estate, litigation, elder law and personal injury. Our team is comprised of well-known and respected attorneys with the experience and skill to quickly resolve difficult legal challenges. We are committed to responding to clients’ needs promptly and economically and believe in building long-term attorney-client relationships based upon collaboration and solid performance.
Personal Service
You’ll never be just a name in our database. We’ll take the time to learn about you and about your life. Our dedication to our clients and commitment to individual attention prevent us from taking every case. We limit our caseload so we can focus our utmost attention on those individuals whose legal problems we decide to make our own.
Our Experts

Lauren M. Dooley
Corporate Transactions | Farm Law | Estate Planning | Real Estate | Business Transactions
Lauren commenced her legal career with a civil court clerkship for the Honorable Edward M. Oles. She represented the Ocean County Agriculture Development Board for nearly a decade where she acquired extensive experience in all facets of New Jersey Farm law including the Right to Farm Act, the Farmland Preservation Program, Farmland Assessment, SSAMPs and associated litigation. Committed to upholding the legal profession, Lauren has been appointed to serve as a member of the District IIIA Ethics Committee by the New Jersey Supreme Court.
More About Lauren
In addition to farm law, she also focuses her practice on representing borrowers and commercial lenders in loan transactions. She has experience in real estate secured lending, construction lending and commercial lending. Her primary focus is representing borrowers and lenders in all SBA Loan Programs.
Born and raised in New Jersey, Lauren volunteers her time to its communities, including serving as President of the Board of Directors for the Garden State Philharmonic and sitting on the Board of Trustees of the Community Medical Center Foundation. Lauren also served as an Adjunct Professor in Legal Research and Writing at Monmouth University.
Education
Seton Hall School of Law – Juris Doctorate
Villanova University – Bachelor of Arts, Political Science
Bar Admissions
New Jersey
United States District Court, District of New Jersey

David York
Real Estate | Land Use & Planning | Tax Appeals | Civil Litigation | Corporation Transactions | Estate Planning
David manages our Woodcliff Lake office in Bergen County. Prior to joining the firm, David was the Senior Vice President for World Water & Solar Technologies, where he served as in-house counsel and managed international business development. He also has deep roots in New Jersey politics, serving as the Director of Legislative Policy for the Governor of the State of New Jersey, and as an Advisor to two United States Senators.
More About David
David sits on the Board of Directors of the Bergen Community College Foundation, the Board of Directors for the Center for Food Action, and the Board of Trustees of the Community Medical Center Foundation. He is also an active member of the Jewish Federation of Northern New Jersey and serves on its Commerce & Professionals Committee.
David is a native of Ocean County, having graduated from Toms River High School South. He resides in Woodcliff Lake, Bergen County, with his wife, Amy, and their twin daughters.
Education
Seton Hall School of Law – Juris Doctorate
Tufts University – Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy
Lehigh University – Bachelor of Arts, Honors, Political Science
Bar Admissions
New Jersey
New York
United States District Court, District of New Jersey

Harvey York
Business Transactions | Land Use | Corporate Banking | Estate Planning | Real Estate | Corporate Transactions
Harvey is deeply entrenched in the New Jersey banking, business, education and nonprofit sectors, including serving on the advisory board of Investors Bank; the executive committee of the board of trustees of the Ocean County College Foundation; the board of directors of the Ocean County United Way; and as a founding member of the Toms River Daybreak Kiwanis Club.
More About Harvey
Harvey has been a member of the firm since 1971.
In addition, Harvey is qualified as an expert in real estate and land use law in the New Jersey Superior Court and United States District Court.
He has been recognized for his commitment to the community by the Ocean County Chamber of Commerce, the United Way, the Ocean County College Foundation and the Lehigh University Board of Alumni.
Harvey and his wife, Barbara, have lived in Toms River for more than 50 years. Their two sons, Michael and David, are also members of the firm.
Education
American University, Washington College of Law – Juris Doctorate
Lehigh University – Bachelor of Arts
Bar Admissions
New Jersey
United States District Court, District of New Jersey
United State Supreme Court

Michael Jacobus
Wills & Trusts | Estate Litigation | Real Estate | Commercial & Corporate Matters | Guardianships | General Litigation | Business Transactions
Michael is a lifelong resident of Toms River, and began working with the firm in 1998 while a third-year law student. He is proud that his practice has developed and remained with the firm, and continues to offer personal services for a range of specialties and clients. Michael remains active in the community, serving as an executive board member for several local charitable organizations.
More About Michael
Michael is an alumni of the University of Delaware, where he was a four-year member of the varsity crew team. During law school, he was a judicial extern for the Honorable Albert J. Garofol, J.S.C and clinical intern for the Widener Environmental Law Clinic. In addition to his current practice, he is a member of the National Academy of Elder Law attorneys and a qualified mediator, serving on the statewide roster of mediators pursuant to Court Rule 1:40. Michael remains active in the community, serving as a volunteer and head coach for Toms River Basketball Association, Toms River Futbol Club, and Garden State Soccer League. Michael lives in Toms River with his wife Dawn and two children.
Education
Widener University School of Law – Juris Doctorate University of Delaware – Bachelor of Science, Criminal Justice
Bar Admissions
New Jersey
United States District Court, District of New Jersey

Michael York
Real Estate | Land Use & Planning | Banking & Corporate | Civil Litigation
A native of Ocean County, Michael graduated from Toms River High School South and remains active within the community, serving as a member or board member of several local and regional chambers of commerce, professional associations, health care and educational organizations and facilities, youth groups and charities.
More About Michael
Michael has been with the firm since 2005. Prior to joining the firm Michael worked at the white collar criminal defense firm of Morvillo, Abramowitz, Grand, Iasson and Silberberg and the litigation firm Martin, Clearwater & Bell, where he specialized in the defense of health care institutions, manufactures and other professionals. He and his wife, Lori, reside in New York City with their son and daughter.
Education
Fordham University School of Law – Juris Doctorate
Lehigh University – Bachelor of Arts, English/Political Science
Bar Admissions
New Jersey
New York
United States District Court, Districts of New Jersey, Southern District of New York and Eastern District of New York
Testimonials
“Owning multiple companies allows me to choose any legal firm I want to, so choosing Novins York Jacobus & Dooley was a well thought out decision. I have been a client of the firm now for over 15 years starting with Harvey York and then moving on to Michael York and have always gotten first class service. It’s quite rare to find a firm that has excellent representation in so many different areas of the law such as real estate, litigation, trusts and general business law. I always receive timely call backs from the partners. Client service is a core value of the firm.”
“I have to say that this is my first recommendation in writing about the quality of service with a law firm. My experience with Lauren Dooley and the firm has been not only professional, but I also felt like I was part of the family. Questions were answered on a very timely basis with all the expertise required for the issue at hand. I felt like the total resources of the firm were always supporting me.”
“Michael Jacobus handled a complex litigation for our family, and he was wonderful. He walked us through every step of the process, kept us constantly informed, and was always accessible. Our family could not be more pleased with our choice to trust Michael and the firm of Novins York Jacobus & Dooley to represent us.”
“I have worked with Harvey York, Esq. and the law firm of Novins York Jacobus & Dooley for 14 years and I have found Harvey and the staff to be very professional, friendly and attentive, always. Harvey is an excellent attorney and always courteous and very impressive. He is well prepared and demonstrates so much knowledge and attentiveness. My phone calls are always returned in a timely fashion and my questions are always well received and answered promptly. He is a pleasure to work with and I highly recommend Novins York Jacobus & Dooley to anyone who needs to seek legal counsel.”
“I would 100% recommend the law firm of Novins York Jacobus & Dooley. Having worked with them on several occasions, I find their lawyers to be thorough, efficient, timely and responsive to all of my needs. There has never been a time that I did not feel confident in their abilities to assess my situation and offer excellent guidance. I look forward to working with the team at Novins York Jacobus & Dooley for years to come.”
Contact US
During a century of changing legal and economic conditions, the firm's commitment to integrity, responsiveness and client service has never wavered. That’s our goal, and that’s what we have been doing for more than 80 years.