The ROI Influencers Power List 2020: Lawyers

By
Robert F. Russo
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Frank Cannone
Partner
Gibbons P.C.
Cannone is the chair of the Corporate Department at Gibbons, specializing in mergers and acquisitions, private equity, early stage and emerging companies and corporate and securities law. He is a member of the firm’s executive committee.

Bill Castner
Partner
Connell Foley
His return to private practice was noted throughout the state. He has proven to be a leader in health care sector and his experience in all branches of state government sets him apart.

Kathleen Connelly
Partner
Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper
Connelly is one of the top attorneys in the state for employment law and workplace investigations. Has more than 25 years of experience representing employers and individual members of management in both the private and public sectors.

Max Crane
Managing partner
Sills Cummis & Gross
Has helped guide Newark-based Sills Cummis into one of the most successful and influential firms in the state.

Ed Deutsch
Founder and managing partner
McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter
He is the veteran leader of one of the state’s biggest and most influential firms, which remains a steady presence in all areas of the law. Always a no-brainer for lists such as these.

Patrick Dunican
Chairman and managing director
Gibbons P.C.
Oversees what many feel is the state’s most powerful firm. Client list is a who’s who of business and political leaders. Dunican’s deft handling makes him one of the most respected leaders in the sector.

Angelo Genova
Co-founder, chairman and managing partner
Genova Burns
Industry veteran continues to evolve to make sure his Newark-based firm remains at the top of its game today and in the future. Is a leader in workplace culture and building a diverse staff that represents the state.

Frank Giantomasi
Member, Real Estate, Development and Land Use Group
Chiesa, Shahinian & Giantomasi
Few have been at the real estate game longer in Newark — or do it better. Giantomasi is seemingly is in the middle of every deal in the city. Another annual no-brainer for this list.

Paul Josephson
Partner
Duane Morris
He has long served as a top adviser to Gov. Phil Murphy — and for good reason. He is a top-notch attorney who currently is working with the Gateway Development Corp. as well the New Jersey Cannabis Industry Association.

Nevins McCann
Partner, co-chair, Real Estate and Land Use Group
Connell Foley
He’s the undisputed go-to real estate attorney in what still may be the state’s hottest real estate area: Jersey City.

 

Philip McGovern
Managing partner
Connell Foley
Has made Connell Foley the regional powerhouse it is today on his legal acumen — and his personality. It’s why the firm can attract — and retain — some of the best in the industry.

Fruqan Mouzon
Chair, Cannabis Practice Group
McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter
A former counsel for the State Senate Majority Office and assistant counsel to Gov. Jon Corzine, he has extensive public and private sector legal experience. He heads the firm’s Cannabis Practice Group.

Rajiv Parikh
Partner
Genova Burns
A highly acclaimed litigator, crisis manager and counselor, Parikh is the chair of the India Law, Construction Law & Litigation and Election Law & Litigation practices. Also has the ear and confidence of Gov. Phil Murphy.

Chris Porrino
Partner
Lowenstein Sandler
Few lawyers in the state have achieved the respect of their peers the way Porrino has. His principles and ability have enabled him to move in and out of public service — including a stint as the state’s attorney general — while setting an example for others to do the same.

Daniel Schwartz
Managing member
Chiesa, Shahinian & Giantomasi
In an era where firms are collapsing and merging, Schwartz has helped oversee CSG’s massive expansion, creating a culture and atmosphere that helped attract more than two dozen lawyers a year ago.

Phil Sellinger
Co-managing shareholder
Greenberg Traurig LLP
He’s the co-leader of a global law firm, but has made his mark in New Jersey. He has more than three decades of trial experience and has led litigation teams around the country in complex cases in state, federal and appellate courts.

Nancy Erika Smith
Co-founder and partner
Smith Mullin
Longtime workplace lawyer used her years of experience to become an overnight sensation during #MeToo movement. Her successes have made her the go-to lawyer for all workplace issues.

Diane Sullivan
Partner
Weil, Gotshal & Manges
Sullivan was selected by the National Law Journal as a “2019 Winning Litigator” for the complete defense jury verdict she secured for Johnson & Johnson in the mass tort talc litigation. It’s an honor given to only 26 litigators nationwide.

Dennis Toft
Partner
Chiesa, Shahinian & Giantomasi
Toft is the top environmental lawyer in the state — a practice area whose importance seemingly grows by the day. Toft, who chairs the firm’s environmental practice group, has been active with various business groups in the state and is on the executive committee of the New Jersey Chamber of Commerce.

Click below to see who landed in the Top 30 spots on the ROI Influencers Power List 2020:

Here’s the most powerful people in 13 industries:

And to read how a political scientist made the call on who was named No. 1 on the list, click here.