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Sean Mack
Pashman Stein Walder Hayden PC

Mack co-chairs Pashman Stein Walder Hayden PC’s Litigation practice and its Cannabis & Hemp Law group as well as serves as an executive committee member. Regarding the growing cannabis industry, Mack’s knowledge covers both New Jersey and New York regulations in the medical and adult use spaces. And his roots in the sector run deep.

His experience dates to 2015, when he and the firm helped to draft legislation with New Jersey United for Marijuana Reform and ACLU-NJ that eventually led to a 2017 bill and 2021’s New Jersey Cannabis Regulatory, Enforcement Assistance and Marketplace Modernization Act. Today, he counsels clients on corporate formation and financing; regulatory compliance; supplier contracting; commercial real estate, land use and zoning; construction; business litigation; labor & employment; intellectual property; insurance recovery and liability; and risk management, according to the firm.

On the litigation side, Mack handles complex disputes involving unfair business competition. He represents businesses, owners and executives in matters involving theft of corporate opportunities, theft of trade secrets, breaches of non-competition agreements, breaches of confidentiality and non-disclosure agreements, and other unfair business practices. The firm said clients often retain Mack when a joint business venture has gone awry or when they believe it is time to divorce their business partners.

Diana Manning
Bressler, Amery & Ross PC

Last year, Bressler, Amery & Ross PC adopted a new management structure, establishing a five-member Management Committee. Manning, also principal in New Jersey for the firm, is one of those members. In that role, she is part of a group that governs both day-to-day management as well as strategic planning and future goals of the Florham Park -based law firm. She also chairs the Business and Commercial Litigation practice and leads the Appellate practice team. She is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a civil trial attorney and is an accomplished appellate lawyer, participating in six matters before the New Jersey Supreme Court and arguing four times, according to the firm.

Among other appointments, she is the current secretary of the New Jersey State Bar Association. Reflecting on her proudest achievements, she noted the expansion and development of Bressler, Amery & Ross’s commercial litigation practice. According to Manning, when she started with the firm it had 45 attorneys total in mainly one state. Now, she leads that many lawyers – across six states – as chair of the group.

According to the firm, Manning is a presenter and author on business litigation, legal ethics, products liability, and professional liability. She is the author of the New Jersey Chapter of The Law of Lawyer’s Liability: Fifty-State Survey of Legal Malpractice, ABA/First Chair Press.

Kevin Marino
Marino, Tortorella, & Boyle PC

Marino is founding partner of Marino, Tortorella, & Boyle PC, a white-collar defense and complex litigation boutique firm. He was a member of the legal team representing defendants in a politically charged indictment brought by Attorney General Matthew Platkin against South Jersey power broker George Norcross and several associates. Marino represented Philip Norcross, George’s brother and the CEO and managing member of law firm Parker McKay PA.

In February, Superior Court Judge Peter Warshaw dismissed the 13-count indictment. “The simple truth is that the 111-page Indictment Attorney General Platkin announced with such fanfare last June does not come close to stating a crime against anyone,” Marino said at the time. “Rather than face that reality and apologize to the innocent victims of his abusive prosecution … the Attorney General is defiant in defeat. So be it. We relish the opportunity to defend Judge Warshaw’s well-reasoned, unassailable opinion on appeal.” According to the firm, Marino has won civil and criminal trials, successfully argued appeals, and achieved negotiated results in a host of civil and criminal cases in federal and state courts. He has also advised corporate boards and individuals in a variety of complex matters and served as outside GC to a boutique investment bank and venture capital firm. Marino has also taught as an adjunct professor at Seton Hall Law School.

Marie Mathews
CSG Law

Mathews is the managing member at CSG Law, succeeding Patricia Costello earlier this year. She previously served in a variety of management positions at CSG Law, including as practice group leader of the litigation group and deputy general counsel to the firm. Her background also includes representing an array of clients in complex commercial litigation matters throughout the region.

“I am looking forward to leading the firm through the exciting new opportunities on the horizon, as we continue to grow and build upon our past successes,” Mathews said when her appointment was announced.

“I have worked closely with Marie over the years, witnessing first-hand her ability to build consensus, analyze issues and lead effectively,” said Jeff Chiesa, co-chair of CSG’s executive committee. “We look forward to her leadership as we continue to build and grow the firm.”

As managing member, Matthews oversees the firm’s 200 attorneys and 150 other professionals. The team is assigned to the firm’s headquarters as well as its rapidly growing location in midtown Manhattan.

Outside of the firm, Mathews serves as the president of the Greater Newark Holiday Fund. The charity has contributed more than $12 million over the years toward the betterment of thousands of families across the state. Earlier this year, Mathews was named as a recipient of a 2025 NJBIZ Leading Women in Business award, which will be presented at a ceremony in August.

Philip McGovern
Tanenbaum Keale LLP

A well-known real estate and commercial transactions attorney, McGovern stepped down in January from his position at Connell Foley LLP – the Jersey City firm where he had spent his entire legal career – to join Newark-based litigation boutique Tanenbaum Keale LLP as a partner. There, he serves as outside general counsel to a range of companies, as well as provides guidance in formation, financing, contractual negotiation, acquisition/dispositions, succession planning and litigation. McGovern’s expertise includes assisting large organizations in significant real estate development and commercial leasing projects across the U.S. He also regularly facilitates negotiations in the disposition of assets and is well versed in financing matters. In the litigation arena, McGovern has successfully litigated matters on behalf of large health care organizations, real estate entities, small to mid-cap companies, and shareholders of closely held corporations.

At Connell Foley, McGovern held several leadership positions, including serving as firmwide managing partner from 2016–2021. He was also a strong proponent of launching an office in Jersey City in 2002, after seeing the potential for real estate and other business development in greater Hudson County.

Tanenbaum Keale co-Chair James Keale has said he believes McGovern will be “a central player in our governance and management” as the firm plots its course for the next decade and that his background as a former managing partner at one of the state’s largest law firms “made him an ideal target for TK.”

David Mebane
RWJBarnabas Health

Mebane is executive vice president and general counsel at RWJBarnabas Health. With more than three decades with the health care system, which he played a part in establishing, Mebane is responsible for all of RWJBarnabas’ legal work, insurance and compliance, and he is president of its captive insurance company.

Mebane founded the legal department, beginning with the formation of Barnabas Health in 1996. Currently, the network boasts 12 acute care hospitals, more than 38,000 employees, 9,000 physicians and an extensive network of freestanding facilities. Last year, Mebane was named as an NJBIZ 2024 Leader in Law and this year was honored at the NJBIZ ICON Award in May.

Mebane received an undergraduate degree from the School of Public and International Affairs at Princeton University and his law degree from Boston University School of Law. He is a member of the American Health Lawyers Association and has been instrumental in the health system’s partnership with Legal Services of New Jersey.

As RWJBarnabas continues to grow – for example with the state’s first freestanding cancer hospital in New Brunswick, a $750 million collaboration between RWJBarnabas, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey and New Brunswick Development Corp. – evolution seems inevitable for both RWJBarnabas and Mebane.

Arielle Miliambro
Frier Levitt LLC

A partner in Frier Levitt LLC’s Healthcare and Life Sciences department, Miliambro has been with the firm for four years. She represents pharmacies, diagnostic laboratories, practitioners, manufacturers, and health care technology and management companies.  Within her practice, Miliambro advises on regulatory matters pertaining to digital and telehealth, including the corporate practice of licensed professions, establishment of MSOs, virtual modality requirements, prescribing limitations, reimbursement of remote care and due diligence of existing telehealth models. She also serves pharmacy clients, offering support on issues such as remote prescription processing, central fill arrangements, compounding pursuant to 503A/503B, and compliance with hub models and manufacturer rebate programs. Additionally, she assists with licensing board matters, like audits, preliminary investigations and disciplinary proceedings; and provides support for pharmacy acquisitions and sales. Her work also involves data privacy and security; value-based care and other alternative care arrangements; and fraud, waste and abuse compliance. The thought leader recently co-authored a piece for Frier Levitt on “Opportunities and Compliance Considerations in Wound Care.” Named a 2025 Leader in Law by NJBIZ Events earlier this year, Miliambro says over her career, “my greatest contribution to clients has been my strategic approach to client partnerships and problem-solving.”

Audrey Murphy
Hackensack Meridian Health

Murphy serves as executive vice president, co-chief legal officer and chief officer, Team Member Health and Safety, for Hackensack Meridian Health. That puts her in charge of legal for the state’s “largest, most comprehensive and truly integrated health care network” with 18 hospitals, more than 500 patient care locations, 38,000 employees and 7,000 physicians. With HMH since its establishment in 2016, Murphy previously served as executive vice president, chief legal officer at Hackensack UMC and Hackensack University Health Network. She brings a unique perspective to her work, having also worked hands-on in health care. Before joining Hackensack UMC in 1992 as associate counsel and director of risk management, Murphy worked as a clinical care nurse, nurse manager, supervisor and clinical specialist. As co-chief legal officer, Murphy has direct responsibility for the Enterprise Risk Management Program, the Physician Enterprise, the regional CTS programs, HMH’s foundations, all academic programs, insurance programs and captives, research, the Center for Discovery and Innovation, and all litigation. Last year, HMH led a suit against the HHS after the U.S. Supreme Court overturned the Chevron deference doctrine.  Murphy is also active outside of HMH. Among her professional affiliations are serving as chair of Commerce & Industry of New Jersey for 2023-24. She sits on the board of trustees for Pace University, where she earned both her undergrad and juris doctor.

Sheilah O’Halloran
Atlantic Health System

O’Halloran joined Atlantic Health System in 2010 as assistant GC. She currently serves as executive vice president, Legal Affairs, and general counsel, as well as interim chief compliance officer, privacy officer, research integrity officer and ACO compliance officer. O’Halloran is responsible for AHS’s legal services, risk management and claims management functions. She also serves as the corporate secretary for the system serving 14 counties and 7.5 million people in New Jersey.

Before joining Morris County-based Atlantic Health, O’Halloran was a partner at Schenck, Price, Smith & King. In leading the health care practice at that firm, O’Halloran has served AHS since its founding in 1996, according to the system.

Today, Atlantic Health System boasts 21,000 employees, 5,440 affiliated physicians and 550 sites of care, including eight hospitals.

Beyond her work at AHS, O’Halloran is a member of the American Health Lawyers Association, the New Jersey Hospital Association In-House Counsel Constituency Group, and the Health and Business Sections of the New Jersey State Bar Association. She is also a trustee emeritus of the board of the Business Law Section of the State Bar. O’Halloran additionally serves as a member of the advisory board of the Seton Hall Law Center for Health and Pharmaceutical Law & Policy.

Michael O’Mullan
Riker Danzig LLP

O’Mullan stepped into the managing partner role at Riker Danzig LLP at the start of 2024. At the time, the firm said the move reflected a natural progression of his leadership responsibilities over his nearly two decades there. Since then, the firm with roots dating to 1882 announced plans – and made the move from its longtime base in downtown Morristown to the suburbs of Madison, some 5 (or so) miles away. The change, after 40-plus years in the Morris County seat, was completed earlier this month, as the firm took residency at its “new modern, technologically advanced headquarters.” The space aims to break down silos with a more open atmosphere to support a collaborative team-based approach as well as an evolving hybrid office model. “Following an extensive review of our current office space and other possibilities, we determined that 7 Giralda Farms reflects our position as one of New Jersey’s most prominent law firms while providing us with an exciting platform for the future. We were attracted to its modern open-floor design that allows us to completely reimagine our workspace, its technological capabilities, and exceptional amenities for our attorneys and staff. This space provides everything an innovative law firm needs,” O’Mullan said when the move was announced. Riker still maintains additional offices in Trenton and Manhatthan, too. O’Mullan is also a member of the Commercial Litigation Group. In his practice, Riker Danzig describes him as a litigator who doesn’t lose sight of practical solutions that meet clients’ needs.

David Oppenheim and David Jay
Greenberg Traurig LLP

As co-managing shareholders, Oppenheim and Jay lead Greenberg Traurig LLP’s New Jersey office in Florham Park. And the outpost – one of many for the global firm – continues to grow its roster of well-known and accomplished jurists. In April, former federal prosecutor Eric Moran joined as shareholder.

To start the new year, founding shareholder of the New Jersey office Philip Sellinger rejoined GT as co-chair of the Global Litigation practice following his tenure as U.S. attorney for the District of New Jersey.

Oppenheim focuses his practice on domestic and international franchising, licensing and distribution matters. He advises both emerging and mature companies on planning, structuring, and implementing national and international franchise, distribution and licensing programs. Recently, he was part of a GT team that advised WeWork International in restructuring across Latin America.

Jay handles a variety of complex, multiparty commercial cases from inception through settlement, trial and appeal. He has represented major health plans, computer, pharmaceutical, consumer product, chemical and communications companies. Jay has been with GT for more than 20 years. Additionally, he is a founding member of the Class Action Committee of the New Jersey State Bar Association.

Camille Otero
Gibbons PC

Otero is described as a trusted advisor who helps clients achieve their business goals via the strategic growth of business operations and presence in various markets. She serves as chair of the Environmental practice at Gibbons PC and sits on the firm’s Executive Committee.

Otero focuses her practice on environmental litigation and environmental due diligence in real estate and corporate transactions, remediation, counseling and regulatory compliance. Leading a Gibbons team representing many global and national manufacturers in matters initiated by the NJDEP and EPA, she has been engaged in some of the most significant, high-profile sediment cleanups and litigation of prominent N.J. waterways, including the Arthur Kill, Newark Bay, Lower Hackensack River and Lower Passaic River. Additionally, Otero has served as lead attorney for major clients such as a global additives and special ingredients company; and a multinational manufacturer of flavors, fragrances and active cosmetic ingredients, according to the firm.

A past NJBIZ Best 50 Women in Business winner, among other recognitions, Otero also seeks to advance women in law, according to Gibbons; and she has mentored young female attorneys. She serves on the editorial board of the Gibbons Law Alert blog and is a member of the New Jersey and New York state bar associations.

Rajiv Parikh
PEM Law LLP

Parikh is a founding partner at PEM Law LLP, the law firm he and seven other former Genova Burns partners launched in 2024. Today it has offices in West Orange and Manhattan. When PEM debuted, Parikh said he believed the new venture was “poised to handle complex legal issues … with the law serving as just one tool in our arsenal.”

A prominent figure in the New Jersey legal and political scene, Parikh is a noted litigator, crisis manager and counselor. His clients include the New Jersey Democratic State Committee; the Democratic National Committee; and candidates for local, state and federal office. In construction, his successes include obtaining a dismissal of a challenge to a $1 billion bond issuance related to the largest public-private entertainment and retail construction project in the country. Parikh was part of Gov. Phil Murphy’s trade delegation to India; and served as transition counsel to the Democratic governor.

Outside of his practice, he is general counsel for the Share & Care Foundation and the Hindu American Seva Communities. He also serves on several boards, including the New Jersey District Court Historical Society.

Grace Park
Public Service Enterprise Group

Park is executive vice president and general counsel for Public Service Enterprise Group, parent organization to PSE&G, New Jersey’s largest provider of electric and natural gas service; PSEG Power; and PSEG Long Island. The more-than-a-century old company boasts a headcount of approximately 13,000 employees. She will mark one year in her current role this September.

“I am pleased to welcome Grace to this new role. Her appointment is part of our strategic and continuous succession planning process. … She brings a sharp understanding of the landscape and proven leadership and track record to this role,” PSEG Chair, President and CEO Ralph LaRossa commented when the move was announced.

Park has responsibility for overall legal and federal regulatory strategy. A member of the senior executive team, she also oversees the Office of Corporate Secretary, Litigation, Compliance and Claims functions in addition to several other corporate functions.

She joined PSEG in 2017. Previously, she was acting prosecutor in Union County for four years. Park was the first Asian-American county prosecutor in New Jersey’s history, as well as the first ever female and minority prosecutor in Union County.

David Pascrell
Gibbons PC

Pascrell is chair and co-founder of the Government & Regulatory Affairs group at Gibbons PC. This year, for the 17th in a row, the firm ranked as the top lawyer-lobbying firm, as well as the sixth overall in the state.

“Since 2002, we have consistently provided creative and strategic solutions to our clients who face legislative and regulatory challenges that impact their bottom lines. … Whether we are engaged with the Governor’s Office, the Legislature, or one of the departments or agencies of the State, we continue to adapt to the ever-changing political landscape in New Jersey while building on our experience in achieving client wins,” Pascrell commented in March in response to ELEC data.

With the firm for more than two decades, Pascrell has led client matters under the administration of every New Jersey governor since 1997, as well as the Legislature under both Republican and Democratic control. He has also worked with almost every state department, agency, board, authority and commission in New Jersey over the span of his career. He has particular experience with the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, Department of Human Services, Department of Community Affairs, Board of Public Utilities, and Department of Labor and Workforce Development.

Chirali Patel
Blaze Law Firm LLC

Blaze Law Firm LLC Managing Partner Patel combines law and advocacy with a motivation to reenvision the cannabis industry. Her work in the space dates to 2016. It includes publishing articles and speaking on Continuing Legal Education for attorneys and others. Patel has also helped establish cannabis practice areas at other firms she’s worked at. According to her LinkedIn, her past experience includes time at Pashman Stein Walder Hayden PC in addition to serving as assistant corporation counsel and assistant municipal prosecutor in the City of Hoboken and assistant county counsel in Bergen County. The social equity advocate takes on pro bono work in the cannabis space, as well as assisting legacy market clients. Her practice also handles commercial real estate and startups. Patel also started Blaze Responsibly, an organization that helps educate and empower individuals in the cannabis community. And she spreads that message by hosting expungement clinics and resource fairs statewide. In March, Blaze Responsibly collaborated with MSO Green Thumb Industires to host a free expungement clinic in Bloomfield. “Expungements do more than erase records, they unlock futures,” Patel noted at the time. “By removing barriers to jobs, housing, education, and more, they give individuals the chance to rebuild their lives, strengthen family bonds, and contribute to their communities.” Patel is also an adjunct professor at Rutgers University Law School. Beyond teaching the Cannabis Law and Business Certificate Program, she also helped develop it.

Donald Pepe
Scarinci Hollenbeck LLC

Pepe is a partner and chair of the Commercial Real Estate group at business firm Scarinci Hollenbeck LLC and a prominent figure in the state’s CRE industry. His practice is devoted entirely to complex real estate development and transactional work with an emphasis on retail and residential. He works closely with business executives and in-house counsel to develop strategies for targeting acquisitions, land purchase negotiations, managing and evaluating feasibility studies, as well as representing corporate interests before local, state and federal authorities to secure real estate development approvals.

That has involved Pepe in some of New Jersey most significant projects, including Gold Coast redevelopment efforts in Jersey City, Hoboken, Bayonne and Fort Lee. Recently, he helped secure approvals for what will be Bayonne’s tallest building, the 25-story NY Vue. And this past May, he moderated the Emerging Markets & Regions panel discussion at the Jersey City Summit.

In June 2024, Scarinci Hollenbeck expanded the CRE group Pepe leads with six new attorneys. “This … demonstrates our commitment to meeting our clients’ diverse needs with comprehensive, one-stop legal support,” he said at the time.

Pepe is also an active member of the International Council of Shopping Centers, New Jersey Builders Association, Shore Builders Association and the Monmouth Ocean Development Council.

Christopher Porrino
Lowenstein Sandler LLP

Porrino is a former New Jersey attorney general and chief counsel under Gov. Chris Christie and well-known legal powerhouse in the state. Since returning to Lowenstein Sandler LLP in 2018, he serves as partner and chair of the firm’s litigation department. In his practice, he advises and represents Fortune 500 companies in pursuit of their goals and against challenges. Porrino advises and represents businesses and individuals in civil, criminal, and regulatory matters involving securities, consumer fraud, banking, alcoholic beverage control, gaming, cannabis, energy, insurance, tax, antitrust, real estate and the environment, among others. He also conducts internal investigations for clients faced with allegations of wrongdoing or suspected wrongdoing by insiders.

He’s just one of several former state officials to join the team at Lowenstein Sandler following service in the public sphere. He noted that synergy commenting on the latest high-profile addition, when Shontae Gray came back to the firm after five years in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Newark. “Shontae illustrates our ongoing success in attracting prominent, accomplished former public servants, prosecutors, and trial lawyers to our partnership,” Porrino said in June.

He also continues to serve the public outside of the office. Porrino serves as chair of the state Criminal Sentencing and Disposition Commision, appointed by Gov. Phil Murphy in 2024. The panel issued its most recent report last fall.

Thomas Prol
Sills Cummis & Gross PC

A partner at Newark-headquartered Sills Cummis & Gross PC practicing business and litigation strategy, Prol was elevated in August 2024 to the American Bar Association’s Board of Governors for a three-year term. His year ended with being named 2024 Attorney of the Year by the New Jersey Law Journal, which is a recognition given to an attorney who has made his or her mark on the profession and in the law with an achievement that goes beyond service to the client. He’s also carrying out a three-year term as chair of the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, the state’s watchdog agency that oversees election financing integrity in the Garden State.

A known advocate for civil rights, marriage equality, equity and access to justice, Prol is also a founding member of Garden State Equality and member of the LGBTQ+ education and advocacy organization’s executive board. Last month, he served as keynote speaker at the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey’s LGBTQ+ Pride Heritage Month Celebration.

A past president of the New Jersey State Bar Association, Prol served between 2016–2017 as the organization’s first openly gay leader. His career includes co-drafting marriage equality legislation signed into law by Gov. Phil Murphy in 2022. Prol also was an advocate for and argued the defense of the New Jersey Criminal Justice Reform Act and the New Jersey Anti-Bullying Act.

Steven Richman
Clark Hill PLC

A member at Clark Hill PLC, Richman focuses on national and international litigation across broad areas of commercial and business practice, along with arbitration and appellate practice. Additionally, he has written and lectured extensively on topics like international law, business and human rights, contracts, litigation, arbitration, professional responsibility, cross border ethics, arbitration, enforcement of judgments and interim relief issues.

As former chair of the American Bar Association’s International Law Section, he has been a thought leader globally on business and human rights. Richman holds leadership positions in the ABA and two major international bar associations. In addition to his roles at the ABA, he is on the management board of the International Bar Association and the board of governors of the UIA (International Association of Lawyers). Richman has previously served as ABA advisor to Uniform Law Commission drafting committees that have promulgated model state laws on important commercial issues, such as proposed legislation on consumer default legislation, enforcement of Canadian judgments in the U.S. and asset-freezing orders. Within New Jersey, Richman is a member of the Lawyers Advisory Council for the District of New Jersey and an editorial board member for The New Jersey Law Journal. He also was president of the board of the New Jersey State Museum and a former member of the New Jersey as well as National District Export Council for promotion of U.S. exports.

Keith Roberts
Brach Eichler LLC

The chair of Roseland-based Brach Eichler LLC’s litigation practice, Roberts is regarded as a leading practitioner in the health care and regulatory fields, representing clients on various litigation-related matters, such as regulatory issues, third party payor negotiations, licensure, audits, dispute recoupments, appeals, reimbursement and health care fraud. As a result, he has gained extensive experience representing clients in some of the largest, most complex, high exposure cases. A member of Brach Eichler’s health care team, Roberts is often called upon to represent hospital systems, surgical centers, medical practices and an array of health care professionals in complex litigation matters. Roberts is often consulted by health care professionals for his insight regarding regulatory issues, practice structures, insurance audits and compliance. He has received numerous honors, including the prestigious Healthcare Litigation Department of the Year Award from the American Lawyer Media. Outside of the firm, Roberts was recently appointment to the board of directors at Saint James Health Center. He also serves as a lecturer for the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education. He is a moderator for NJ No Fault College, a program he created over 20 years ago. Additionally, he was a municipal court judge for the borough of Fairview for nearly a decade. At the time of his initial appointment in 2000, Roberts was 27, which made him the youngest person to become a municipal court judge in New Jersey history.

Donald Scarinci
Scarinci Hollenbeck LLC

One of the most highly respected attorneys in New Jersey, Scarinci is well known for his work in municipal, school, business and health care matters. As a founding partner at Little Falls-based business law firm Scarinci Hollenbeck, Scarinci has grown the practice from an eight-person shop focused on public and municipal law into a regional leader in environmental, land use, commercial real estate, transactional intellectual property and cannabis with 70-plus attorneys across New Jersey and New York over the past 37 years.

Along with being a trustee of the New Jersey Institute of Municipal Attorneys, a designated Diplomate in Municipal Law and frequent presence on NJBIZ power lists, Scarinci is a sought-after speaker and columnist when it comes to constitutional law, having written numerous pieces for online media and published two books.

In addition, he edits the award-winning Constitutional Law Reporter, an educational website that contains an annotated U.S. Constitution and information about the Supreme Court. He also curates the New Jersey Government and Law Blog, a pro bono blog he began in 2011 that contains timely summaries and insights on the latest decisions from New Jersey’s highest court. In June, his blog was named No. 4 on FeedSpot.com’s 20 Best Public Law Blogs and Websites in 2025. The site also ranked it as one of the top 80 New Jersey blogs across all categories and industries.

Melanie Scroble
Ansell Grimm & Aaron PC

A member of Ansell Grimm & Aaron PC’s commercial real estate, corporate and finance & banking departments, Scroble specializes in complex commercial real estate matters and serves as a trusted advisor for clients that range from national REITS to small business owners. Her 28-plus years of experience in closing real estate deals includes acquisitions, dispositions, leading and financing for various commercial properties nationwide – particularly shopping centers, retail pads and multifamily apartment buildings. Recently, she expanded her practice to include acquiring and leasing properties related to cannabis and legalized controlled substances and developed niche expertise in navigating the challenges surrounding real estate matters in the growing sector. Also a leader within the firm, Scroble serves as on-site managing shareholder of the Woodland Park office. Her list of professional recognitions includes being honored in April as Attorney of the Year by J.G. Petrucci Co.

Presenting Scroble with her award, Joni Elekes, director of property management at Petrucci, described her as “an amazing attorney who is outstanding and inspiring. She is a remarkable professional who expertly handles all of our retail leases.” Elekes continued, “It has been a privilege to work with her as she consistently demonstrates exceptional responsiveness, meticulous attention to detail, and dedication to treat every lease and amendment with the utmost care. And not to mention, she is a bad ass woman!”

Susan Sharko
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

A partner at Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP in Florham Park, Sharko is a certified civil trial attorney who concentrates her practice on products liability and mass torts. She has significant experience managing pharmaceutical and medical device litigation throughout the U.S. and is regarded for her expertise as global and national coordinating counsel in these types of multidistrict cases. Sharko also has a background in the design, negotiation and implementation of large national settlement programs and has been appointed many times as lead and liaison counsel in MDL and state court litigations.

Her numerous accolades have included being named to Forbes inaugural list of America’s Top 200 Lawyers last year. The award recognized “the finest practitioners in the profession – lawyers with stellar track records in their specialties, those who have broken barriers to emerge as leaders in their fields, and attorneys most respected by peers and clients.”

Additionally, Sharko frequently speaks at conferences for both lawyers and the judiciary. She actively participates in the Bolch Judicial Institute at Duke Law School and volunteers with RAICES (Refugee and Immigrant Center for Education and Legal Services), which promotes justice by providing free and low-cost legal services to underserved immigrant children, families and refugees in Central and South Texas.

Nancy Erika Smith
Smith Mullin

A nationally recognized civil rights attorney, Smith has a reputation for fighting and winning high-profile employment law cases. Since co-founding Smith Mullin in Montclair with her husband Neil Mullin, her 30-plus year career has included several important victories in cases against NJ Transit, the Essex County Sheriff’s Office, WWOR-TV, Prudential Insurance Co., Rutgers University, Fox News and IBM Corp. She’s also earned numerous accolades, including several years on NJBIZ’s Law Power 50.

One of her latest legal battles is unfolding in Newark, where she is representing Mayor Ras Baraka in a lawsuit against interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Alina Habba over his arrest on a trespassing charge at a federal immigration detention facility. The suit claims the Trump-appointed federal prosecutor pursued the case out of political spite. And, it’s not the first time Smith has taken aim at Habba.

Smith is also representing a former server at Trump National Golf Club in Bedminster who alleges she was sexually harassed and coerced into sex by a supervisor, then tricked into signing an illegal non-disclosure agreement by Habba, who previously served as the president’s longtime personal attorney.

Jennifer Phillips Smith
Gibbons PC

A co-chair of the real property group at Newark-based Gibbons PC, Smith counsels clients on redevelopment matters, with a focus on long term, multiphase transformative projects that are worth billions of dollars.

In addition to representing clients in connection with mixed use, industrial, restaurant, residential, retail, office, medical, educational and senior living projects, Smith maintains a niche practice in liquor licensing and alcoholic beverage control.

She is also the firm’s lead land use attorney on several of New Jersey’s largest, most high-profile development and redevelopment projects, including a $2.5 billion redevelopment project along the Raritan River that is considered the largest mixed-use development in state history, the transformation of Asbury Park’s waterfront, the reimagining of Bayonne’s waterfront and various transit-oriented development projects.

Smith’s honors include being named as one of NJBIZ’s Leaders in Real Estate, Construction and Design list in 2025, a Best 50 Women in Business honoree in 2022 and to the annual Power 100 list in 2020.

Calvin Souder
Souder Law Group

One of Newark’s most influential real estate development lawyers, Souder is founding partner and managing member at Souder Law Group, a 10-year-old firm focused on providing legal solutions tailored to meet the unique needs of urban communities. Considered the fastest-growing urban law firm in New Jersey, the Black- and woman-owned venture has extensive experience in real estate/economic development, education, government affairs and litigation. It represents every type of business, both private and public, and includes a diverse mix of clients from Fortune 100 companies to emerging companies as well as individuals, multinationals and government entities.

At the firm, Souder’s practice includes commercial and residential real estate, complex litigation, toxic torts, product liability, fraud, corporate governance, compliance and insurance. He represents corporations and government entities, advising on complex corporate transactions and various legal matters.

A Newark native with deep community ties, Souder’s background includes serving as chairman of the board of trustees at Essex County College. He was also as vice chairman of Newark Now, a program focusing on financial empowerment and fatherhood, and as a trustee of the Mental Health Association of New Jersey. His resume also includes advising on significant state initiatives, including the UMDNJ-Rutgers merger and an investigation into the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission.

Tami Bogutz Steinberg
Flaster Greenberg PC

Considered one of the leading business and corporate attorneys in the South Jersey-Philadelphia region, Steinberg is chair of Cherry Hill-based Flaster Greenberg PC’s business and corporate development group, where she represents businesses in all aspects of their business lifecycle. Her practice focuses on M&A, representing buyers and sellers of middle market businesses in various industries. She also represents businesses in bank financings, joint ventures, partnership and shareholder transactions, contracting, dispute resolutions, corporate governance and business counseling, and often serves as outside general counsel to clients.

In June 2024, Steinberg was named chair of the firm’s newly launched gaming industry group, representing casino developers and operators as well as online sports and gaming entrepreneurs on a number of industry issues. Additionally, Steinberg serves on Flaster Greenberg’s board of directors and is an active member of the women’s advisory group at the firm, which, earlier this month, was recognized for a sixth-consecutive year as one of NJBIZ’s Best Places to Work. Steinberg is a perennial presence on NJBIZ’s Law Power 50 list. This year, she is marking her sixth year in a row as an honoree. Outside the firm, her community involvement includes being a member of the boards and executive committee for the Chamber of Commerce Southern New Jersey and Congregation Beth El.

Dennis Toft
CSG Law

As chair of the environmental law group at Roseland-based CSG Law, Toft provides counsel on all aspects of environmental law, including regulatory counseling, environmental due diligence, permitting, enforcement and environmental litigation, development/redevelopment and environmental insurance. He regularly appears before the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, the Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, municipal land use boards, the Office of Administrative Law, and in state and federal courts.

During his 30-year career, Toft has worked with every governor and administration on environmental concerns and policy issues. He played a key role in the adoption of the New Jersey Brownfields and Contaminated Site Remediation Act — and in the development and adoption of the New Jersey Site Remediation Reform Act, which established a Licensed Site Remediation Professional program in New Jersey.

Toft has also earned numerous accolades, including an icon award from NJBIZ in 2019. He was also included on the 2021 Leaders in Law list and Law Power 50 compilations in 2022, 2023 and 2024. Additionally, Toft is a trustee at the New Jersey Institute of Technology and environment/energy initiative chair of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce’s executive committee, as well as frequently tapped by the media to speak as a subject matter expert on environmental issues.

Peter Torcicollo
Gibbons PC

Since taking on the role of Gibbons PC’s managing director in early 2022, Torcicollo has maintained the standard set by longtime leader Patrick Dunican, who first transitioned to executive chairperson before departing the Newark-based firm in February 2024. At Gibbons, Torcicollo oversees the firm’s operations, executes the executive committee’s directives and implements a strategic business plan. Since becoming managing director, he has worked to expand the firm’s services in key growth areas with strategic hires, including in the standalone White Collar & Investigations group, the standalone Alternative Dispute Resolution group and the Financial Restructuring & Creditors’ Rights group.

Torcicollo is also a director of the firm’s Business & Commercial Litigation group, which he previously chaired, and maintains a broad-based commercial litigation practice. Additionally, Torcicollo developed, launched and formerly led the firm’s top-ranked Construction Litigation practice. Just a few of the prominent cases during his tenure include roles as master redeveloper of 50 acres of waterfront property in Asbury Park; borrower’s counsel to Rowan University in the financing of its veterinary school; and representing longtime client Montclair State University in its merger with Bloomfield College. Gibbons also served as outside general counsel to the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority in its role as the Host City Authority in the World Cup bidding process.

Jonathan Wolfe and David Wolfe
Skoloff & Wolfe PC

As co-managing partners (and twins), Jonathan Wolfe and David Wolfe, are the second generation to lead Skoloff & Wolfe PC, a Livingston-based firm that concentrates on the areas of divorce and family law; commercial, industrial and multifamily property tax relief; and complex business litigation on behalf of individuals, partnerships and corporate clients. After working at large New York City law firms – Jonathan at Milbank Tweed and David at Davis Polk – the brothers left those positions 22 years ago to join the firm co-founded in 1961 by their father, Saul Wolfe.

Jonathan Wolfe serves as chair of the firm’s matrimonial and litigation departments. He focuses on high-net-worth matrimonial disputes and complex business litigation and has become widely recognized for representing business leaders and their spouses in divorces involving private equity, hedge funds, trust assets and business valuation issues. His commercial litigation cases typically involve breach of contract, fraud and fiduciary duty, at both trial and appellate levels. Over the years, Jonathan Wolfe has earned national recognition and media attention for the many high-powered cases he’s handled, including actress Katie Holmes’ divorce from Tom Cruise, as well as divorce cases for NFL football player Braylon Edwards and former New Jersey Devil Martin Brodeur. David Wolfe has since gained a reputation as a prominent attorney specializing in real estate tax matters and complex civil litigation, with a focus on representing taxpayers in property tax appeals on a broad range of properties. David Wolfe frequently advises clients regarding property tax exemptions, abatements, PILOTs, and conducts due diligence and tax projections for corporate projects. During his career, he has played a key role in redevelopment efforts in cities like Jersey City and Newark and helped shape transformative urban projects.

Ted Zangari
Sills Cummis & Gross PC

Known as a go-to lawyer for handling complex real estate projects, Zangari chairs the Real Estate department, Redevelopment Law practice and Public Policy/Governmental Affairs practice group at Sills Cummis & Gross PC in Newark. As chair of the cross-disciplinary redevelopment law practice group, he captains a team of attorneys on brownfield, transit-oriented, central business district and waterfront redevelopment projects as well as adaptive reuse projects.

As leader of the multi-disciplinary outside general counsel practice group, Zangari coordinates attorneys who work in teams on behalf of middle market, privately held companies in lieu or in close support of in-house counsel. His law practice focuses primarily on complex business transactions with an emphasis on commercial leasing, acquisition, disposition and financing transactions for owners, asset managers and tenants. As chair of the Public Policy practice group, registered state governmental affairs agent Zangari assists developers, hospitals, banks, casinos, public utilities, and other regulated industry clients on a broad range of legislative and regulatory matters. Beyond serving on Sills Cummis’ management committee, Zangari is an officer and trustee of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce, founding member and executive committee member of the Rutgers University Center for Real Estate and legal advisory council member for the International Council of Shopping Centers.

Michael Zogby
Barnes & Thornburg LLP

After being named in 2022 as partner-in-charge of Barnes & Thornburg LLP’s new Morristown and Philadelphia offices as part of the firm’s East Coast expansion, Zogby has led their rapid growth to over 40 attorneys and professionals, emphasizing diversity, community engagement and pro bono work. As a result of his efforts, Zogby was named as New Jersey Law Journal’s inaugural Office Managing Partner of the Year in 2024, an honor that he described “a testament to the hard work and dedication of our entire team and the deliberate choices we have made to foster a culture of excellence, collaboration and innovation.”

In addition to firm leadership roles, Zogby serves as a member of Barnes & Thornburg’s management committee, co-chair of the Trials And Global Disputes practice group, member of the Litigation And Environmental departments at the firm, and co-chair of BTMENA, the firm’s talent resource group for Middle East and North African (MENA) individuals. He frequently represents pharmaceutical, medical device, life sciences, biotechnology, consumer products, manufacturing and chemical companies in product liability, mass tort, toxic tort, environmental litigation and business disputes alleging negligence, failure to warn, strict liability, design and manufacturing defects, fraud, consumer protection, breach of warranty, wrongful death, antitrust, intellectual property, eDiscovery, punitive damages and trade secrets challenges.

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 5 p.m. EST July 21, 2025, to correct the spelling of Scarinci Hollenbeck LLC in Donald Pepe’s entry.

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