3 top lawyers join Mandelbaum Barrett as partners

Robert Scrivo, a former special counsel and assistant U.S. attorney working out of the Newark office, is one of three top lawyers to join Mandelbaum Barrett as partners, the firm announced.

Jaqueline Greenberg Vogt, a construction law partner from Greenberg Traurig, and Holly Gladstone, a commercial and real estate lending partner from Buchanan Ingersoll, also have joined the 90-lawyer firm as partners.

Firm CEO William Barrett called the additions a significant step forward for the firm.

“Any one of them would be a notable addition but having them join at once gives us tremendous momentum in the new year,” he said. “Rob, Jacky and Holly will be of huge value to our firm, and more importantly, to our clients. We are already strong in commercial finance, as well as criminal defense — particularly white collar — and all aspects of real estate law, including construction and real estate transactions and financing. The addition of these partners makes us even stronger and fits with our smart-growth strategy.”

Scrivo, who has more than 25 years of experience in criminal law, from both the prosecutorial and defense sides, will be co-chair of the firm’s white collar and criminal defense practice, where he will represent criminal defendants, perform internal investigations, advise on regulatory issues and litigate complex civil matters.

Greenberg Vogt joins as chair of the firm’s construction law practice group, bringing with her more than 25 years of experience advising real estate owners, developers, investors, lenders and contractors in the New York metropolitan area and nationwide on construction contracting and litigation issues.

Gladstone has more than 20 years of experience representing lenders and borrowers in complex commercial, industrial and real estate finance transactions.

Barry Mandelbaum, chairman of the firm, said the trio will help in many ways.

“Rob’s arrival will enhance our work for doctors, dentists, veterinarians, accountants, lawyers and other licensed professional clients,” he said. “Jacky’s practice will give our real estate clients access to sophisticated guidance on construction issues, to go along with our already robust services in that sector, and Holly gives us added strength in New York construction lending, as well as greatly expanded commercial finance capabilities across the board.”

Here’s a look at all three:

  • Scrivo: As a federal prosecutor, he led a task force designed to reduce violent crime and served as the office’s liaison to state law enforcement authorities, in addition to prosecuting a wide array of federal crimes. He has served on several committees of the New Jersey State Bar Association, as a trustee of the Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey and as president of the Essex County Bar Association.
  • Greenberg Vogt: She will assist clients throughout the entire construction lifecycle, from initial conception and project planning to contract negotiations, public bid contests, bid preparation and project delivery. She also has significant experience resolving a wide array of construction disputes, including payment disputes, lien claims, defective design and construction claims, delay claims, indemnity claims, personal injury claims, labor and employment issues, and default and convenience terminations. In addition, she frequently litigates claims against surety bonds and construction insurance policies, as well as creditors’ rights and bankruptcy issues in the construction arena.
  • Gladstone: Her commercial and industrial lending practice is primarily focused on senior secured credit facilities, including asset-based loans and middle market loans, representing administrative agents, banks in bilateral and syndicated facilities, and borrowers. She also frequently advises lenders and borrowers in connection with factoring and receivables financings, and recurring monthly revenue financings in the home security, medical alert and fire monitoring industries. In her real estate finance practice, she advises clients in connection with acquisition loans, permanent loans and construction loans across the U.S., as well as construction loans in the New York market and related New York lien law issues.