Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani on Tuesday said it welcomed 19 attorneys who will join the firm in its New Jersey, New York City and Westchester offices. The group, led by Partners John Hopwood and Melissa Brown, includes eight partners, nine associates and two of counsel, all of whom previously practiced with Marks, O’Neill, O’Brien, Doherty & Kelly P.C.
The team handles a wide range of litigation including professional liability, health care, labor and employment, cyber and data security, commercial litigation, construction, municipal and public entity liability, premises liability, casualty and all other aspects of general liability.
Hopwood was with Marks, O’Neill for nearly 20 years, where he was a senior partner and served as the managing partner of the firm’s New York offices. Brown was with Marks, O’Neill for more than 15 years, where she was a senior partner and headed up the New Jersey office’s Professional Liability team. They are joined by their team of more than 10 paralegals and professional staff across offices and expect to add to their team in the coming days.
“These outstanding lawyers are the perfect complement to Gordon & Rees’ national capabilities in these areas,” Ron Giller, managing partner of the firm’s New Jersey office, said. “The group also bolsters our East Coast presence and accelerates what looks to be a very strong year for us.”
Hopwood is admitted to practice in New York and New Jersey. Hopwood has represented clients in numerous fields of litigation, ranging from construction, commercial, malpractice, products and all areas of general liability. His practice focuses on all aspects of construction litigation, including the defense of design/defect claims and defense of allegations brought under New York Labor Law. Hopwood has represented international corporations, domestic companies, developers, general contractors, mechanical contractors, construction managers, design professionals, doctors, attorneys and other businesses in all aspects of defense litigation.
Brown is admitted in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. Brown has experience defending corporations and individuals in cyber litigation and data security breaches. She defends professional malpractice claims against professionals in the legal, medical, financial, insurance and real estate industries. She represents employers in labor and employment disputes arising from wrongful termination, discrimination and executive malfeasance. She defends medical professionals in complaints before the New Jersey medical boards.
“Gordon & Rees provides our team with a national platform across all 50 states, which enables our team to provide our clients with the highest level of legal services throughout multiple practice areas. The internal support and leadership at Gordon & Rees is unmatched, and we are excited to be part of the team,” Hopwood said.
“For nearly two decades, our attorneys have provided an aggressive and strategic defense while prioritizing the individual needs of our clients. You can expect that same diligent approach on a national scale under the leadership of Gordon & Rees and their 50-state platform. We are excited to join this exceptional team, and we look forward to continuing to serve our clients’ needs,” Brown said.
Joining Brown in the New Jersey office are Partners Amanda King, Nicole Mulhern and Michael Slivjak, and associates Kevin Buttery, Madelynn Correnti, Deanne Lowden, Brittney Nochimson, Kathryn Siegeltuch and Jonathan Stuckel.
Joining Hopwood in the New York City office are Partners Marci Mitkoff, Sydney Fetten and Bonnie Goldman, of counsel Robert Fein and associate Amanda Chiarello.
Joining the Westchester office is of counsel Lynn Liebman, and associates Joseph Samuels and Gabriella Manganiello.
