Bressler, Amery & Ross P.C. on Wednesday said that J. Michael Riordan, one of the Florham Park-based firm’s founding principals, has returned to assist its continuing commitment to excellence, including in Employment, Commercial and Corporate Law practices.
Riordan previously practiced at Bressler for 21 years, during which time he represented a wide range of clients in employment law and other commercial and corporate arbitrations, litigations, regulatory and other proceedings across the country. Riordan then became a shareholder at Greenberg Traurig and senior partner and co-chair of the Labor & Employment Department of McElroy Deutsch. In 2017, Riordan took a medical leave of absence after a couple of serious cardiac events.
Riordan also has provided advisory services to corporations and individuals on a wide range of employment, as well as commercial and organizational issues, including drafting employment policies and procedures, negotiating and drafting employment and severance contracts, conducting seminars and training for clients and conducting internal investigations.
While regaining his health, Riordan focused on volunteer activities, including providing pro bono advisory assistance for individuals, volunteering as an adviser and mentor at various educational institutions and serving on the boards of nonprofit organizations. Currently, he is the president of the board of the Library Co. of Philadelphia (founded by Ben Franklin in 1731) and chair of the board of trustees of Malvern Preparatory School, his alma mater.
Admitted to practice in New Jersey and New York, Riordan graduated from the Villanova University School of Law and received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University.
“We are thrilled to have Michael back with us at Bressler after his successful ventures outside the firm and a return to good health,” Frederick Schoenbrodt II, Management Committee chair and managing principal of the New Jersey office, said. “Michael’s extensive legal experience and his deep understanding of Bressler’s culture will make him a driving force in strengthening our team of distinguished trial lawyers in the commercial and employment law spaces.”
“Returning to Bressler feels like coming home,” Riordan said. “After leaving in 2006, I continued to work with Bressler on several matters and remained close friends and colleagues with many people at firm. I am honored to have the opportunity to return and collaborate again with such talented colleagues and valued friends. I look forward to the great work and results we will continue to achieve together.”
Riordan’s return is part of a series of significant lateral moves to Bressler across the firm’s various offices, including strategic growth in New Jersey, Alabama, New York and Florida.
