In a historic move to recognize the contributions of one of its leaders, Roseland-based Mandelbaum Salsburg P.C. on Monday announced it has changed its name to Mandelbaum Barrett P.C. The rebrand recognizes CEO William Barrett, who has served in that role for the last four years.
This marks the first time in 42 years that a name has been added, and the sixth time in its 92-year history the firm has changed its name, only to reflect a generational or leadership change.
“The legal profession has changed significantly since 1930, when our founding partner, Irving Mandelbaum, began practicing law,” said Barry R. Mandelbaum, chairman of Mandelbaum Barrett, and son of its founder. Mandelbaum continues to chair the firm’s Real Estate practice in addition to the Executive Committee.
“Today, we are proudly adding ‘Barrett’ to our name in recognition of the growth and success we have realized under Bill Barrett’s leadership, and to celebrate his vision forward for our firm as we continue to adapt to meet the needs of our business and personal clients. Some of our clients are fourth-generation clients of the firm. This rebrand serves as a bridge from our past to our future,” Mandelbaum noted.
Barrett stated that growth for growth’s sake doesn’t work. He has no set number of attorneys or staff he wants to hire. But, he said growth comes in many forms, and the firm’s success is measured in many other ways. He believes that “when you stop growing, you start dying.” However, he is quick to point out that “growth” means different things to different people.
Under Barrett, the firm recently added a new C-suite position — chief culture officer, signaling the firm’s prioritization of its sacred culture that celebrates accomplishments and differences, as well as the value of regular team-building events for all attorneys and staff alike.
Since Barrett became CEO, the firm has also expanded and grown, and, in recent years, has expanded its Dental, Veterinary, Health Care and Emerging Markets groups, to name a few, as well as added to its Cannabis, Elder Law and Special Needs practices. The firm has also strategically grown its attorney count. For example, in the last four years, the firm’s Health Care practice, specifically, has added eight attorneys and six staff to become one of the firm’s largest and most rapidly growing practice areas.
“Even as we experience this period of deliberate, purposeful growth to better serve our clients’ needs, we remain laser-focused on maintaining the unique culture and quality of life that has always made our firm such a desirable place to work and practice law at the highest levels. We care about our employees’ well-being as much as we do our clients,” Barrett said. “Testimony to this is the fact that more than 50 of our 170 employees have been with the firm for more than 10 years, and our entire leadership team has been with the firm for more than 20 years.”
In addition to serving as CEO, Barrett co-chairs the Corporate Law practice. With 25 years’ experience, he has a unique specialty in mergers & acquisitions and provides strategic advice to companies of all sizes, from formation to dissolution and every stage in between.
His representative clients include commercial organizations and entrepreneurs in the areas of manufacturing, service, banking, finance, insurance, construction and real estate development, as well as health care professionals of varying disciplines and organizations.
Throughout his career, he has successfully managed the purchase or sale of hundreds of businesses, professional practices and facilities.
