The basics:

• Baker Donelson opens new offices in Princeton and Iselin.
• 26 attorneys join from Epstein Becker & Green PC.
• Expansion strengthens health care, litigation and real estate teams.

National law firm Baker Donelson Bearman Caldwell & Berkowitz PC is building its presence in the Northeast with the launch of a New Jersey-based health care transactional team, litigation practice and several real estate attorneys.

In an April 21 press release, the Nashville-headquartered firm said 26 attorneys joined its ranks to open offices in Princeton and Iselin.

All 26 lawyers joining the Nashville-headquartered firm previously worked at Epstein Becker & Green PC, a national law firm focused on health care, labor & employment and litigation, according to Baker Donelson.

With more than 200 attorneys in 11 states as well as the District of Columbia, Baker Donelson’s health law group has long been among the 10 largest health law practices in the country. The firm believes expanding into New Jersey will grow the practice, but deepen its experience in a number of areas in health law, such as private equity transactions and payor-provider litigation.

Michaela Poizner, chair of Baker Donelson’s health law and public policy department, described it as a “tremendous addition to our heath practice.”

“The dynamic combination also adds some of the country’s top next-generation health care and litigation attorneys to our team, fortifying our role as trusted advisors to health care providers for decades to come,” Poizner stated.

A health-minded move

Baker Donelson Chair and CEO Timothy Lupinacci said, “A key aspect of our strategic vision is elevating our ability to serve clients as trusted advisors with industry depth and proactive counsel. This includes growth both within our existing footprint and beyond, so when we saw the opportunity to build significantly upon one of our strongest industries by adding a large group of the leading attorneys in that field who are laser-focused on exceptional client service, we knew it was the right move.

“As a national firm, expanding our footprint to include New Jersey is exciting, and our growth will continue to be driven by adding the right talent who share our vision.”

Baker Donelson’s growth in recent years has also included expanding its Mid-Atlantic footprint. The firm has added new locations in Raleigh and Charlotte, N.C., in addition to Charleston, S.C.

The 17 new shareholders in New Jersey include health law attorneys Gary Herschman, who will serve as co-chair of Baker Donelson’s health care transactions group, as well as Anjana Patel.

Patel will serve as managing shareholder of both the Iselin and Princeton offices.

Two additional team members will also join as shareholders:

• Health care litigator Anthony Argiropoulos was previously a national litigation steering committee chair for Epstein Becker, while
• Real estate attorney Andrew Kaplan served as managing shareholder of Epstein Becker’s Princeton office.

According to Baker Donelson, the attorneys joining the firm are:

Shareholders

• Anthony Argiropoulos – health care litigation, Princeton
• Lauren Brophy Cooper – health care litigation, Princeton
• Maximilian Cadmus – health care litigation, Princeton
• William Gibson – health care litigation, Princeton
• Lisa Gora – health law, Iselin
• Gary Herschman – health law, Iselin
• Thomas Kane – health care litigation, Princeton
• Andrew Kaplan – real estate/finance, Princeton
• Laurajane Kastner – health law, Princeton
• Randall Lee – health law, Iselin
• Theodora McCormick – health care litigation, Princeton
• Conor Murphy – health law, Iselin
• Anjana Patel – health law, Iselin
• Nivedita Patel – health law, virtual
• Glenn Prives – health law, Iselin
• Scheherazade Wasty – health care litigation, Princeton
• Sheila Woolson – health care litigation, Princeton

Of Counsel

• Zlata Fayer – real estate/finance, Princeton
• Allison Zangrilli – real estate/finance, Princeton

Associates

• Bethany Hickey – health law, Iselin
• Annie Lucatuorto – health law, Iselin
• Robert Lufrano – health care litigation, Princeton
• Timothy McHale Jr. – health law, Iselin
• Natalie Moszczynski – health law, Iselin
• Steven Passarella Jr. – health care litigation, Princeton
• Alec Wong – health care litigation, Princeton

‘A true win-win-win’

Herschman expressed enthusiasm about the move. “Beyond the immense value of joining Baker Donelson’s premier health care practice, we are excited to be part of a full-service firm,” he stated. “Our clients will continue to receive top-tier health regulatory advice, and now will also have direct access to a deep bench of top-tier attorneys in critical areas such as securities, corporate and nonprofit tax, health care bankruptcy, and private equity – enhancing our ability to support their evolving needs.”

Patel, the new managing shareholder, added, “We have long admired Baker Donelson’s outstanding national reputation in health care. The firm’s well-established foundation, sustained growth, clear strategic vision, and financial strength make it the ideal platform to expand our national practice and enhance the level of service and value we provide to our clients.”

Argiropoulos called it a “true win-win-win.”

“Baker Donelson’s energy, focus, and philosophy resonate with us. We see a world of synergies and benefits for Baker Donelson, for us, and for clients…We are proud to become part of Baker Donelson’s history and its future as we plant its flag in New Jersey.”