Local Law Blogs

Happy July 4th to All

By Frank Marciano, Esq.

One of the biggest changes I have noticed in my law practice is the changing makeup of Hoboken's residents. As anyone with any knowledge of Hoboken's history knows, (check out Hoboken's Museum) Hoboken?s rapid growth in the 1900's first started with the Germans, then Irish and Italians and Yugoslavians, then Puerto Ricans then Artists then standard American Yuppies (see Yuppies Invade My House at Dinnertime. and now people are calling Hoboken home coming from countries clear around the world. Over the past few years over half of my new clients have come from China and India, mostly employees of the big financial companies in New York and the Pharmaceutical companies of New Jersey. I have had closings, divorces and adoptions that have involved serving people in China, India, France, Brazil, Sweden, Scotland, England, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Albania, Croatia, Persians, Israel, United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Iran, Ecuador, Columbia, Venezuela, Iraq, Russia, Georgia, Philippines, Pakistan, Argentina, South Korea, Peru, Taiwan, Japan, Ghana, South Africa, Hong Kong, Bhutan (never even heard of Bhutan but it seems like a great place near Tibet, imagine living here)

Using Google Earth I have located client's childhood homes in Pakistan, Argentina, Peru, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Denmark, Uruguay, France, Italy, Shanghai, and most recently Kuwait. Of course, clients also have roots in the good ole USA. Kentucky, Ohio, North Carolina, California, Idaho, Seattle, Mexico, Montana, South Jersey, Upstate New York, Brooklyn, Bronx, and Queens, the list goes on and on.

If it sounds overwhelming than I am giving the wrong impression, the point is that it's not like other urban communities where in different areas different nationalities live together, here in Hoboken we are all thrown together in a safe and secure City. And I must say I love it all. If you live or work in Hoboken then you are part of a great little town that is a window to the world. The map above, which I worked on with friends years ago, tries to represent the fact that we are all together on this planet, and on this Fourth of July weekend we should all be proud that America truly is home to the World.

Full post as published by Hoboken Law Blog on July 01, 2008 (boomark / email).