Brunt v. Bd. of Trs.

ROSE, J.S.C. (temporarily assigned).

*360The issue in these back-to-back appeals, which we consolidate for purposes of this opinion, is whether the trial court erred in granting counsel fees to plaintiff, William F. Brunt, Jr., who prevailed in a Law Division action to enforce an agency decision. Because we adhere to the so-called *471American Rule, requiring litigants to bear their own litigation costs regardless of who prevails, we reverse.

We summarize the facts and procedural history most pertinent to this appeal. In June 2014, plaintiff retired from the Township of Middletown ("Middletown") Police…