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Fisher Porter & Thomas PC is merging with the Law Office of Matthew Grabell. According to the Englewood Cliffs-based boutique law firm, the move will expand its range of legal services to include employment law.

Now known as Porter Thomas Grabell & Baumwoll PC, the new firm will also continue to grow its commercial, real estate and family law practice in New Jersey and New York, according to a June 5 press release.

Commenting on the merger, PTGB managing partner Arthur “Scott” Porter said, “The demand for boutique firms has been growing due to the efficiency and connectivity to the talent we offer. Clients find that larger firms cannot address the personal and direct connections to their needs – and while we are growing by expanding with the merger and addition of new partners – we remain committed to that personal connection.”

Grabell is also based in Bergen County. He brings nearly 30 years of experience both prosecuting and defending employment matters. Grabell’s career has included negotiating settlements as well as litigating cases involving sexual harassment, discrimination and retaliation.

A graduate of Seton Hall Law School, Grabell is also chief executive officer of Employee Relations Solutions, a business that offers diversity and employment law training to employers. His corporate clients include CBS, ABC, Major League Baseball, Showtime and Imagine Entertainment.

Promotions

In addition to merging with Grabell, PTGB also named David Baumwoll as a partner. He will also continue his leadership in commercial litigation, real estate and business transactions, as well as general litigation.

Baumwoll’s success at Fisher Porter & Thomas was a driving factor in deciding to merge with Grabell’s firm, PTBG said.

Notably, Baumwoll successfully litigated a contract dispute against the New Jersey State Department of Transportation, prevailed in motions to dismiss related to employment harassment, and secured a multimillion-dollar damages award for clients, the firm said.

After earning his law degree from Rutgers Law School, Baumwoll began his legal career as a prosecutor with the Bronx County District Attorney’s Office. While there, he handled cases including human and gun trafficking cases along with police and correctional officer misconduct litigation. Last year, Baumwoll was selected as one of 60 Presidential Leadership Scholars from across the nation.

PTGB also added Michael Eidman as of counsel to bolster the firm’s personal injury practice area. Some of Eidman’s notable medical malpractice litigation successes include a $4.8 million settlement related to a late diagnosis of bacterial meningitis and a $4.1 million jury verdict for birth trauma. Eidman is a member of the bar in both New Jersey and New York, the firm said.

Continued growth

Porter is a 2022 NJBIZ Leader in Law honoree. “The successes we have enjoyed by the increasing our core clientele have generated a growing steam of clients – and now that growth will continue with merger with the Law Office of Matthew Grabell,” he said. “While not only bolstering our existing areas of practice – it introduces a new generation of lawyers and Of Counsel attorneys to continue our success.”

“Matthew’s knowledge of the increasingly complex practice area of employment law adds a tremendous amount of experience that expands our reach with his extensive client base,” he said. “David has been a vital member of our team for the last four years and continues to be a highly motivated leader in our office and helped spearhead our recent growth – proving himself to be an exceptional asset to the firm.”