Founding Partners

Terry Ridley, Esq.

Terry grew up in Lafayette Gardens, Jersey City, NJ. While attending Lincoln High School, he received a scholarship from A Better Chance, Inc. to attend Vermont Academy, a private boarding school in Saxton River, Vermont. After graduating from Vermont Academy, Terry attended the University of Vermont in Burlington, Vermont. In 1979, Terry graduated from the University with a Bachelor of Science degree in History/Secondary Education. Terry received a scholarship and received a Master’s degree in Urban and Regional Planning at Virginia Commonwealth University in Richmond, Virginia in 1981. While attending V.C.U., Terry was employed as an Economic Development Assistant for the City of Richmond’s Economic Development Office, where he was able to cultivate his skills as a planner.

Terry attended Rutgers Law School in Newark, NJ, as a part-time evening student. He worked as a law clerk for the law firm of Ashley & Charles, Esq. while attending Rutgers. It was during that time that Terry researched and collaborated with Joseph Charles, Esq. in the submission of Appellate and Supreme Court briefs in the case of State v. Novembrino, 105 N.J. 95 (1987), a case which explicitly recognized that the our state constitution is more protective and can be more protective of individual rights than the federal constitution. After graduating from Rutgers and upon admission to the NJ Bar, he was employed as an Assistant Prosecutor in the Office of the Hudson County Prosecutor in Jersey City, NJ. As an Assistant Prosecutor, Terry handled a variety of criminal matters and also acquired substantial trial experience. After three years with the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, Terry returned to Ashley & Charles as an Associate.

In October 1991, Terry left the employ of Ashley & Charles and took a Senior Associate position with the Housing Authority of the City of Newark. As Senior Associate Counsel, Mr. Ridley handled major litigation involving construction contract claims, civil rights violations and real estate matters. In addition, Terry functions as the Authority’s labor counsel, representing the Authority in all labor negotiations and matters before PERC and OAL. While at the Authority, Mr. Ridley was lead counsel in a lawsuit filed against the Authority to place it in federal receivership for failing live up to its mandate to provide “safe, decent and affordable” housing. The Authority was not only able to avoid being placed in receivership, it was allowed to demolish its structurally obsolescent high-rises and implement the construction of 1,777 low-rise public housing units.

Terry has had many highlights throughout his legal career. He has received jury verdicts and/or settlements ranging from $3.9 million dollars in a breach of contract case; $3.25 million in a personal injury case; $1.52 million in an employment discrimination/civil rights case; $500,000.00 in a hostile work environment case; and $500,000.00 in an instantaneous death case. He has served as underwriter’s counsel in the issuance of bonds for several municipalities totaling well over $100,000,000.00. He has represented developers of both commercial and real estate projects, especially in the affordable housing arena. He has also successfully represented individuals charged with criminal offenses in both state and federal courts.

Mr. Ridley has served as special counsel to the Hillside planning and zoning boards, and has also served as redevelopment counsel for the Township Of Orange. He has served as special counsel to the Newark Housing Authority, redevelopment counsel to the Long Branch Housing Authority, and as General Counsel to the Jersey City Housing Authority, Irvington Housing authority and the East Orange Housing Authority.

Mr. Ridley is a member of the American Bar Association, the NJ State Bar Associations, American Association for Justice (formerly ATLA), Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of NJ, National Bar Association and the Garden State Bar Association. Mr. Ridley is a former trustee of the Hudson County Bar Association.

Terry is married to Sekina Rodgers, and has two daughters. His hobbies are watching movies and sports, traveling, and writing.