Two firms will get to keep about $290,000 in fees accrued in a string of complex employment matters after a New Jersey appeals court rejected their former client’s claims that the firms had a bogus “of counsel” relationship.

The Appellate Division on Aug. 13 upheld the award, payable to two New York firms, Serrins & Associates and the Law Offices of Eric Franz, by Hanover Direct Inc., of Weehawken, N.J.