New Jersey’s Most Powerful Law Firms

[Pages:8]New Jersey's Most Powerful Law Firms

The list of the state's MOST POWERFUL LAW FIRMS identifies the law firms in the state that carry the most political power ? the most sway over the business of government and politics. We looked for the firms with the combination of political influence, marquee names, and access to

policymakers at different levels of government. These lawyers understand how the inside political game is played and how to get results for their clients. The list will recognize and include smaller firms that play a dominate role in the workings of local government in different regions of the state.

1 Weiner Lesniak

If Lyndon Johnson was an attorney operat-

ing a law practice in Texas while he was Sen-

ate Majority Leader, the firm would have

had the same kind of clout Weiner Lesniak

has now in New

Jersey. The firm

belongs to State

Senator Raymond

Lesniak, a 31-year

veteran of the Leg-

islature and one of

the state's most

powerful elected

officials and party

leaders. Weiner Le-

sniak's political clout extends into county and municipal governments in North and South Jersey.

State Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union) is a partner at New Jersey's Most Powerful Law Firm, Weiner Lesniak

2 Riker Danzig Scherer Hyland & Perretti LLP Riker Danzig is the old-reliable of politically active firms, combining a traditional law practice with a lobbying organization that on its own is one of the biggest State Street influencers. They do well with Democrats and Republicans. Riker Danzig's governmental affairs department includes former Supreme Court Justices Stewart Pollock and Sidney Schreiber, former tenterm Congressman Bill Hughes, Mercer County Counsel Art Sypek, and legislative veteran John Kohler.

3 DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Wisler, LLP It's hard to deny their sheer influence throughout every branch, level and agency of New Jersey politics. Al DeCotiis (Clinton fundraiser), Michael Cole (Gov. Kean Chief Counsel) and a ton of other lawyers in their firm speak to everyone in New Jersey, from statewide elected officials to a ton of Mayors and Councilmen, and they know how to raise money for their friends.

4 Parker McCay P.A.

The go-to firm in South Jersey is headed by Phil Norcross (the brother of South Jersey Democratic powerhouse George Norcross) and John Gillespie (the brother of White House political advisor and former GOP National Chairman Ed Gillespie).

5 Scarinci & Hollenbeck, LLC

With key partners Joe Ferriero (the Bergen County Democratic Chairman) and Donald Scarinci (the legal powerhouse who helped draw the Democratic redistricting map), it's the go-to firm for North Jersey politics. They have huge influence in Bergen, Hudson, Essex and Passaic, and with their new Republican lawyers, in Monmouth and Sussex. And one of the S&H attorneys, Tom Cafferty, is the libel attorney for The Record.

6 Sills Cummis & Gross P.C.

Hugely influential firm, in North Jersey and Atlantic City, headed by fundraiser Clive Cummis, and increasingly, by next generation power broker Ted Zangari. They have a presence in state politics and in Atlantic City.

7 Hill Wallack LLP

The Princeton-based firm ? Bob Bacso runs the law practice and Paul Josephson, Gov. McGreevey's Chief Counsel, runs the lobbying show ? keeps growing in size and influence. This may be the firm to watch over the next few years.

8 Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf, LLP This white shoe New York firm has become powerful in New Jersey thanks to Anthony Coscia, who serves as Chairman of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey and has become Windels' rainmaker extraordinaire.

9 Gibbons P.C.

Large, respected firm with an active government affairs practice; it's where James Zazzali went after retiring as Chief Justice. Their marquis name is John J. Gibbons, a former judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, who brings the firm considerable gravitas.

10 Blank Rome LLP

Their New Jersey guy is Republican National Committeeman David Norcross, who has huge contacts in the White House and throughout New Jersey.

New Jersey's Most Powerful Law Firms

11 Gilmore & Monahan

Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore has political clout throughout the state, and in Ocean County he dominates.

12 Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen LLP

Major player after acquiring several key New Jersey firms, including Brach Eichler; lawyers include GOP fundraiser Hersh Kozlov and the well-respected Frank DiGiacomo.

13 Archer & Greiner

A solid South Jersey firm with loads of local government contact; one partner is former Camden County Prosecutor/George Norcross friend Vincent Sarubbi.

14 Walder, Hayden & Brogan P.A.

Politicians in trouble often turn to Joe Hayden and Justin Walder.

15 Brown & Connery, LLP

New Jersey office is headed by Bill Tambussi, a politically active South Jersey lawyer, and George Norcross' personal attorney.

16 Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer

Founded by legendary political boss David Wilentz in the 1930's, the firm is traditionally a political powerhouse; the go-to firm when McGreevey was Governor ? still important because of well-connected Middlesex lawyers, like John Hoffman.

17 Nowell Amoroso Klein Bierman, P.A.

A real political insiders firm run by Republican Henry Amoroso, former Democratic Congressman Herb Klein, and Obama fundraiser Victor Herlinsky.

18 Florio Perrucci Steinhardt & Fader

Former Governor Jim Florio's firm, includes Democratic powerhouse Michael Perrucci, Warren GOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt, and ex-McGreevey/Codey lawyer Paul Fader.

19 Trenk, DiPasquale, Webster,

Della Fera & Sodono P.C. Cory Booker's old firm, run by Richard Trenk, includes Booker/Jerramiah Healy friend Elnardo Webster.

Kozlov_NJPoliticker_Mar08:Layout 1 3/21/2008 11:29 AM Page 1

Put Your World in Our Hands

Whether in the statehouse in Trenton or the Capitol in DC, politics and the rule of law play a role in our clients' lives and businesses. And so we play a role in that arena, utilizing the network of contacts and connections on both sides of the political aisle gained by our attorneys and government relations professionals from their years both as practicing professionals and from prior government service. We are able to provide legal representation and proactive advocacy on behalf of corporate, nonprofit, individual and government clients in transactions where politics, business, regulatory and legal environments intersect.

For more information, please contact: Hersh Kozlov

1940 Route 70 East, Suite 200 P: 856.874.4201 | E: hkozlov@

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New Jersey's Most Powerful Law Firms

20 Krovatin Klingeman LLC

Gerald Krovatin and Henry Klingeman, at the top of their game, represent allegedly corrupt public officials.

21 Fox Rothschild LLP

With a presence in Atlantic City and Princeton, the firm is now on the top ten list of law firm lobbying revenues in the state. Nicholas Casiello chairs their gaming law practice.

22 Ansell Zaro Grimm & Aaron

Jerry Zaro is a political insider who raises money for a number of Democratic candidates.

23 Genova, Burns & Vernoia

Named partner Angelo Genova is the top election law expert for New Jersey Democrats.

24 Capehart & Scatchard, P.A

Burlington GOP boss Glenn Paulsen's firm.

25 Saiber LLC

The lawyers for the casino industry; firm includes David Satz, who was JFK's U.S. Attorney.

26 McCarter & English, LLP

New Jersey's oldest law firm, their gravitas offers instant credibility when they deal with politics and government, even though the lack a big name political player.

27 Wolff and Samson

The firm was politically powerful before David Samson left to become Attorney General, and has more clout now that he's back.

28 Stern & Kilcullen

Former Federal Judge/UMDNJ monitor Herbert Stern and former Morris County Freeholder John Inglesino have a direct line to the U.S. Attorney.

29 Schwartz Simon Edelstein Celso & Kessler, LLC

Their power comes from representing a multitude of local school boards; one partner is Stephen Edelstein, former Counsel to the Democratic State Committee.

30 Lowenstein Sandler PC

Political clout comes from size and quality of representation, but former Attorney General Zulima Farber is the only marquis name.

A powerful law firm empowers its attorneys to excel.

SCARINCI HOLLENBECK

Donald Scarinci, Victor E. Kinon, John M. Scagnelli, Joel R. Glucksman, Theodore A. Schwartz and Thomas J. Cafferty named New Jersey Super Lawyers in 2008.

Sharon L. Weiner recognized by NJBiz as one of New Jersey's Best 50 Women in Business.

Development New Jersey magazine called Scarinci Hollenbeck the "Go-To Law Firm for New Jersey Redevelopment."

The Best Lawyers in America named Thomas J. Cafferty to their distinguished group of attorneys who have been listed in Best Lawyers for more than ten years and the New Jersey Press Association recognized him for 35 years of dedication and commitment to New Jersey's newspaper industry.

Joseph W. Oxley named Sheriff of the Year by the National Sheriff 's Association.

New Jersey Super Lawyers named Ramon E. Rivera to their Rising Stars list.

Andrew L. Indeck, Thomas H. Prol and Ramon E. Rivera named to New Jersey Law Journal's 40 Under 40 List.

Lyndhurst Freehold New York



New Jersey's Most Powerful Law Firms

31 McManimon & Scotland, L.L.C.

Ed McManimon and Glenn Scotland have made this New Jersey's premier bond counsel firm.

32 Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP

Huge national firm that used to be New Jersey giant Shanley & Fisher; former Chief Justice Deborah Poritz is there. The firm has no marquis political players and relies on the competence of the representation it provides.

33 Critchley & Kinum

Mike Critchley isn't just a famous criminal defense attorney, he's also a Democratic fundraiser.

34 Carella, Byrne, Bain, Gilfillan, Cecchi, Stewart & Olstein Former Governor Brendan Byrne's firm, includes longtime partner (and onetime Chief of Staff) Charlie Carella and ex-Assemblyman Peter Stewart.

35 Arseneault, Whipple, Farmer, Fassett & Azzarello, LLP Jack Arsenault is a Democratic insider and a top criminal defense

attorney; John Farmer is a former GOP Attorney General and Acting Governor.

36 DiFrancesco, Bateman, Coley, Yospin, Kunzman, Davis & Lehrer, P.C. Law firm of former Governor Donald DiFrancesco and State Senator Kip Bateman

37 Bathgate, Wegener & Wolf, P.C.

Larry Bathgate is a national Finance Co-Chairman for John McCain's campaign.

38 Stark & Stark

Headed by Albert Stark, enormously powerful in Mercer County

39 Sterns & Weinroth

Run by some real veterans of 1960's New Jersey politics, Joel Sterns and Richard Weinroth, their lobbying operation makes them players.

40 Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis LLP

Big, respected firm; they also have criminal defense attorney Raymond Brown.

G OV E R N M E N TA L A F FA I R S

Some affairs are too good to keep quiet.

Riker Danzig has earned a national reputation for its expertise in governmental affairs, a significant amount of which involves representation of clients in the legislative and administrative processes. We regularly develop strategies to advance our clients' interests. To learn more about how we can help your company navigate through the New Jersey Legislature and administrative agencies, call us today at 609.396.2121.

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New Jersey's Most Powerful Law Firms

41 Hoagland Longo Moran Dunst &

Doukas LLP Large Middlesex County law firm; partners include James Kinneally, who has served as a municipal attorney in several towns.

42 Paul,Weiss, Rifkind,Wharton & Garrison LLP

The New York firm has New Jersey influence only because of the presence of Ted Wells, the criminal defense lawyers politicians like Bob Torricelli and Eliot Spitzer call when they have a problem.

43 Cooper Levenson April Niedelman & Wagenheim, P.A.

Led by Lloyd Levenson, a former prosecutor-turned-gaming law expert, the firm has a strong presence in Atlantic City.

44 Nehmad Perillo & Davis, P.C.

Keith Davis is the Atlantic County GOP Chairman; Sal Perillo, a Democrat, is the Mayor of Ocean City.

45 Picillo Caruso

Who? A small Essex firm, but State Sen. Kevin O'Toole is a partner.

46 Pringle Quinn Anzano P.C.

Two political insiders: Belmar Mayor Kenny Pringle and Hopewell Mayor Paul Anzano.

47 Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C.

Very influential among Central New Jersey political leaders; one partner is Michael Gross, the Counsel to the New Jersey Builders Association.

48 Earp Cohn P.C.

It's the firm of Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman John Adler.

49 Porzio, Bromberg & Newman P.C.

Well connected N.J. firm with broad local government contacts ; Counsel includes a former Supreme Court Justice and former Assembly Speaker; one partner is land use expert Doug Henshaw.

50 Waters, McPherson, McNeill, P.C

They've been longtime players in Jersey City politics; firm includes former State Sen./Democratic State Chairman James Dugan and insider Ken McPherson.

David K. Ansell Richard B. Ansell

Jerold L. Zaro Peter S. Falvo, Jr. James G. Aaron Peter B. Grimm Mitchell J. Ansell Brian E. Ansell Allison Ansell Ryan Michael V. Benedetto Douglas J. Katich Harold Goldman David B. Zolotorofe Kevin T. Corcoran Donna L. Maul

Rick Brodsky Lawrence H. Shapiro Robert A. Honecker, Jr.

Edward J. Ahearn Jennifer S. Krimko George G.Whitmore Frederick C. Raffetto

Kristine M. Bergman Jason S. Klein

Melanie J. Scroble Barry M. Capp Lynne Petillo Douglas A. Davie

Greg S. Gargulinski Phyllis Barker

William E. Throne, IV Andrew J. Provence

Hussam Chater Bridget K. Dorney

Counsel: Gordon N. Litwin Robert I. Ansell Lisa D. Goldwasser

In Memoriam: Leon Anschelewitz (1929-1986)

Max M. Barr (1929-1993) Milton M. Abramoff (1935-2004) Steven J. Brodman (2004-2006)

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