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Hoboken Mayor Ravinder “Ravi” Bhalla has rejoined one of the most politically influential law firms in New Jersey.

In a press release, Florio Perrucci Steinhardt Cappelli & Tipton LLC said Bhalla returned July 1 as of counsel. Bhalla previously spent five years at the firm before his election as mayor in November 2017.

According to the firm, Bhalla’s proficiency spans federal and state court litigation – particularly in employment law, complex civil litigation and criminal defense.

“Ravi’s expertise in complex civil litigation includes the successful handling a variety of matters in the areas of trademark litigation, energy law, corporate disputes, securities litigation and investigations before the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, and land use and zoning litigation on behalf of private corporations,” the release said.

“Ravi’s expertise in employment law includes legal counsel to both employees and employers in the enforcement and development of policies for compliance with federal and state anti-discrimination laws, internal investigations of complaints of workplace discrimination, investigations of Title VII claims and proceedings before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and the representation in litigation brought under federal and state anti-discrimination laws,” the firm continued.

Another high-level hire

After receiving an undergraduate degree from the University of California at Berkeley, Bhalla went on to attend the London School of Economics in the United Kingdom and Tulane Lane Law School in New Orleans. From there, he began at a small law firm in Newark and gained experience in white collar criminal defense and civil rights litigation.

Former Gov. Jim Florio and former Warren County Democratic Chairman Michael Perrucci founded Florio Perrucci Steinhardt Cappelli & Tipton in 1996. Over the years, the practice continued to expand and bring on more high-level professionals, including state Sen. Douglas Steinhardt, R-23rd District; Camden County Commissioner Lou Cappelli Jr.; former Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso, R-13th District; and Harmony Township Mayor Brian Tipton.

Bhalla’s return comes less than a month after he won the Democratic primary for New Jersey General Assembly in the 32nd District. This will mark his third bid for state Legislature. The mayor lost the primary for Assembly in 2011 and withdrew in 2013 to run again for Hoboken City Council.

Bhalla also announced earlier this year he doesn’t plan to seek a third term as mayor of the Mile Square City.

In 2024, Bhalla ran unsuccessfully for the Democratic nomination for New Jersey’s 8th Congressional District, losing to Rob Menendez. Menendez went on to win in the general election.