Fran is a co-founder and owner of Barto & Barto LLC, and is delighted to join the firm of Helmer, Conley & Kasselman, P.A. as OF Counsel. The collaboration between our two firms will bring enhanced services and experience to the clients of both.
Prior to going into business with her father, Raymond Barto, Esq., who is now retired, she worked at prominent mid-sized firms in litigation departments primarily handling matters for municipalities, school boards and large corporations.
She has worked extensively in matters involving business disputes and breakups, education, civil rights and employment law throughout the State of New Jersey, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and in the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
She has applied her knowledge and experience gained from representing school districts to representing parents and students in varying education law matters, with an emphasis on special education and student discipline including, but not limited to, harassment, intimidation, and bullying ("HIB") matters and appeals. Her education law practice extends to college and graduate level matters.
Fran is an involved member of the local legal community, having served as Trustee to the Bergen County Bar Association (2018-2024), and prior to that, served in several roles in the Bar Association's Young Lawyer’s Division, including President. Fran remains an active member of the Bergen County Bar Association.
In 2022, Fran was appointed by the New Jersey Supreme Court to serve a four-year term on her District's Fee Arbitration Committee. In this role, she addressed disputes between attorneys and clients over fees as a panel member.
In 2024, Fran was appointed by the New Jersey Supreme Court to serve on her District's Fee Arbitration Committee as Committee Chair for a two-year term.
As an active participant in her community, Fran serves as a volunteer member on the Village of Ridgewood’s Planning Board and has done so since 2017. She was appointed in 2026 as Planning Board liaison to the Zoning Board of Adjustment. Previously, she served as a member of the Open Space Committee (2017-2026).
She earned her J.D. in 2009 from Widener University School of Law, and her B.A. in 2005 from Fordham University. She is admitted to practice in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. She practices often in the New Jersey Office of Administrative Law.
Fran lives happily in Ridgewood, New Jersey, alongside her beloved Maltipoo, Maggie.