’s Most Powerful Law Firms

The PolitickerNJ.com list of the state’s MOST POWERFUL policymakers at different levels of government. These LAW FIRMS identifies the law firms in the state that carry the understand how the inside political game is played and how to most political power – the most sway over the business of gov- get results for their clients. The list will recognize and include ernment and politics. We looked for the firms with the com- smaller firms that play a dominate role in the workings of local bination of political influence, marquee names, and access to government in different regions of the state.

1 Weiner Lesniak 3 DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, 7 Hill Wallack LLP If Lyndon Johnson was an attorney operat- Cole & Wisler, LLP The Princeton-based firm – Bob Bacso ing a law practice in Texas while he was Sen- It’s hard to deny their sheer influence runs the law practice and Paul Josephson, ate Majority Leader, the firm would have throughout every branch, level and agency Gov. McGreevey’s Chief Counsel, runs the had the same kind of clout Weiner Lesniak of New Jersey politics. Al DeCotiis (Clinton lobbying show – keeps growing in size and has now in New fundraiser), Michael Cole (Gov. Kean Chief influence. This may be the firm to watch Jersey. The firm Counsel) and a ton of other lawyers in their over the next few years. belongs to State firm speak to everyone in New Jersey, from Senator Raymond statewide elected officials to a ton of May- Lesniak, a 31-year ors and Councilmen, and they know how to veteran of the Leg- raise money for their friends. 8 Windels Marx Lane & islature and one of Mittendorf, LLP the state’s most This white shoe firm has be- powerful elected come powerful in New Jersey thanks to officials and party 4 Parker McCay P.A. Anthony Coscia, who serves as Chairman leaders. Weiner Le- The go-to firm in South Jersey is headed by of the Port Authority of New York and State Sen. Raymond sniak’s political clout Phil Norcross (the brother of South Jersey New Jersey and has become Windels’ extends into county Lesniak (D-Union) is a Democratic powerhouse George Norcross) partner at New Jersey’s rainmaker extraordinaire. and municipal gov- Most Powerful Law Firm, and John Gillespie (the brother of White ernments in North Weiner Lesniak House political advisor and former GOP and South Jersey. National Chairman Ed Gillespie). 9 Gibbons P.C. Large, respected firm with an active- gov ernment affairs practice; it’s where James Riker Danzig Scherer 5 Scarinci & Hollenbeck, LLC Zazzali went after retiring as Chief Justice. 2 Hyland & Perretti LLP With key partners Joe Ferriero (the Bergen Their marquis name is John J. Gibbons, a Riker Danzig is the old-reliable of politi- County Democratic Chairman) and Donald former judge of the Court of cally active firms, combining a traditional Scarinci (the legal powerhouse who helped Appeals for the Third Circuit, who brings law practice with a lobbying organization draw the Democratic redistricting map), it’s the firm considerable gravitas. that on its own is one of the biggest State the go-to firm for North Jersey politics. They Street influencers. They do well with Dem- have huge influence in Bergen, Hudson, Es- ocrats and Republicans. Riker Danzig’s sex and Passaic, and with their new Repub- governmental affairs department includes lican lawyers, in Monmouth and Sussex. And 10 Blank Rome LLP former Supreme Court Justices Stewart one of the S&H attorneys, Tom Cafferty, is Their New Jersey guy is Republican Na- Pollock and Sidney Schreiber, former ten- the libel attorney for The Record. tional Committeeman David Norcross, who term Congressman Bill Hughes, Mercer has huge contacts in the White House and County Counsel Art Sypek, and legislative throughout New Jersey. veteran John Kohler. 6 Sills Cummis & Gross P.C. Hugely influential firm, in North Jersey and Atlantic City, headed by fundraiser Clive Cummis, and increasingly, by next genera- tion power broker Ted Zangari. They have a presence in state politics and in Atlantic City. Krovatin Klingeman LLC Gerald Krovatin and Henry Klingeman, at the top of their game, represent allegedly corrupt public officials.

New Jersey’s Most Powerful Law Firms

11 Gilmore & Monahan 16 Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore has political clout Founded by legendary political boss David Wilentz in the 1930’s, the firm throughout the state, and in Ocean County he dominates. is traditionally a political powerhouse; the go-to firm when McGreevey was Governor – still important because of well-connected Middlesex lawyers, like John Hoffman. 12 Wolf, Block, Schorr and Solis-Cohen LLP Major player after acquiring several key New Jersey firms, including Brach Eichler; lawyers include GOP fundraiser Hersh Kozlov and the 17 Nowell Amoroso Klein Bierman, P.A. well-respected Frank DiGiacomo. A real political insiders firm run by Republican Henry Amoroso, former Dem- ocratic Congressman Herb Klein, and Obama fundraiser Victor Herlinsky. 13 Archer & Greiner A solid South Jersey firm with loads of local government contact; one 18 Florio Perrucci Steinhardt & Fader partner is former Camden County Prosecutor/George Norcross friend Former Governor Jim Florio’s firm, includes Democratic powerhouse Vincent Sarubbi. Michael Perrucci, Warren GOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt, and ex-Mc- Greevey/Codey Paul Fader. 14 Walder, Hayden & Brogan P.A. Politicians in trouble often turn to Joe Hayden and Justin Walder. Trenk, DiPasquale, Webster, 19 Della Fera & Sodono P.C. Cory Booker’s old firm, run by Richard Trenk, includes Booker/Jerra- Brown & Connery, LLP 15 miah Healy friend Elnardo Webster. New Jersey office is headed by Bill Tambussi, a politically active South Jersey lawyer, and George Norcross’ personal attorney.

Kozlov_NJPoliticker_Mar08:Layout 1 3/21/2008 11:29 AM Page 1 Put Your World in Our Hands

Whether in the statehouse in Trenton or the Capitol in DC, politics and the rule of law play a role in our clients' lives and businesses. And so we play a role in that arena, utilizing the network of contacts and connections on both sides of the political aisle gained by our attorneys and government relations professionals from their years both as practicing professionals and from prior government service. We are able to provide legal representation and proactive advocacy on behalf of corporate, nonprofit, individual and government clients in transactions where politics, business, regulatory and legal environments intersect.

For more information, please contact: Hersh Kozlov 1940 Route 70 East, Suite 200 P: 856.874.4201 | E: [email protected]

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www.trenklawfirm.com New Jersey’s Most Powerful Law Firms

20 Krovatin Klingeman LLC 26 McCarter & English, LLP Gerald Krovatin and Henry Klingeman, at the top of their game, repre- New Jersey’s oldest law firm, their gravitas offers instant credibility sent allegedly corrupt public officials. when they deal with politics and government, even though the lack a big name political player. 21 Fox Rothschild LLP With a presence in Atlantic City and Princeton, the firm is now on the top ten list of law firm lobbying revenues in the state. Nicholas Casiello 27 Wolff and Samson chairs their gaming law practice. The firm was politically powerful before left to become Attorney General, and has more clout now that he’s back. 22 Ansell Zaro Grimm & Aaron Jerry Zaro is a political insider who raises money for a number of Demo- 28 Stern & Kilcullen cratic candidates. Former Federal Judge/UMDNJ monitor Herbert Stern and former Mor- ris County Freeholder John Inglesino have a direct line to the U.S. At- torney. 23 Genova, Burns & Vernoia Named partner Angelo Genova is the top election law expert for New Jersey Democrats. 29 Schwartz Simon Edelstein Celso & Kessler, LLC Their power comes from representing a multitude of local school boards; one partner is Stephen Edelstein, former Counsel to the Demo- 24 Capehart & Scatchard, P.A cratic State Committee. Burlington GOP boss Glenn Paulsen’s firm. 30 Lowenstein Sandler PC 25 Saiber LLC Political clout comes from size and quality of representation, but former The lawyers for the casino industry; firm includes David Satz, who was Attorney General is the only marquis name. JFK’s U.S. Attorney.

A powerful law firm empowers its attorneys to excel. S C A R I N C I H O L L E N B E C K

Donald Scarinci, Victor E. Kinon, John M. Scagnelli, Joel R. Glucksman, Theodore A. Schwartz and Thomas J. Cafferty named New Jersey Super Lawyers in 2008.

Sharon L. Weiner recognized by NJBiz as one of New Jersey’s Best 50 Women in Business.

Development New Jersey magazine called Scarinci Hollenbeck the “Go-To Law Firm for New Jersey Redevelopment.”

The Best Lawyers in America named Thomas J. Cafferty to their distinguished group of attorneys who have been listed in Best Lawyers for more than ten years and the New Jersey Press Association recognized him for 35 years of dedication and commitment to New Jersey’s newspaper industry.

Joseph W. Oxley named Sheriff of the Year by the National Sheriff’s Association.

New Jersey Super Lawyers named Ramon E. Rivera to their Rising Stars list.

Andrew L. Indeck, Thomas H. Prol and Ramon E. Rivera named to New Jersey Law Journal’s 40 Under 40 List.

Lyndhurst Freehold New York www.scarincihollenbeck.com

New Jersey’s Most Powerful Law Firms

attorney; John Farmer is a former GOP Attorney General and Acting 31 McManimon & Scotland, L.L.C. Governor. Ed McManimon and Glenn Scotland have made this New Jersey’s pre- mier bond counsel firm. DiFrancesco, Bateman, Coley, Yospin, 36 Kunzman, Davis & Lehrer, P.C. 32 Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP Law firm of former Governor Donald DiFrancesco and State Senator Huge national firm that used to be New Jersey giant Shanley & Fisher; for- Kip Bateman mer Chief Justice is there. The firm has no marquis political players and relies on the competence of the representation it provides. 37 Bathgate, Wegener & Wolf, P.C. Larry Bathgate is a national Finance Co-Chairman for John McCain’s 33 Critchley & Kinum campaign. Mike Critchley isn’t just a famous criminal defense attorney, he’s also a Democratic fundraiser. 38 Stark & Stark Headed by Albert Stark, enormously powerful in Mercer County Carella, Byrne, Bain, Gilfillan, 34 Cecchi, Stewart & Olstein Former Governor ’s firm, includes longtime partner 39 Sterns & Weinroth (and onetime Chief of Staff) Charlie Carella and ex-Assemblyman Run by some real veterans of 1960’s New Jersey politics, Joel Sterns Peter Stewart. and Richard Weinroth, their lobbying operation makes them players.

Arseneault, Whipple, Farmer, Fassett & 40 Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis LLP 35 Azzarello, LLP Big, respected firm; they also have criminal defense attorney Raymond Jack Arsenault is a Democratic insider and a top criminal defense Brown.

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Hoagland Longo Moran Dunst & 46 Pringle Quinn Anzano P.C. 41 Doukas LLP Two political insiders: Belmar Mayor Kenny Pringle and Hopewell Mayor Large Middlesex County law firm; partners include James Kinneally, Paul Anzano. who has served as a municipal attorney in several towns. 47 Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. 42 Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP Very influential among Central New Jersey political leaders; one partner The New York firm has New Jersey influence only because of the pres- is Michael Gross, the Counsel to the New Jersey Builders Association. ence of Ted Wells, the criminal defense lawyers politicians like Bob Tor- ricelli and Eliot Spitzer call when they have a problem. 48 Earp Cohn P.C. It’s the firm of Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman . 43 Cooper Levenson April Niedelman & Wagenheim, P.A. Led by Lloyd Levenson, a former prosecutor-turned-gaming law 49 Porzio, Bromberg & Newman P.C. expert, the firm has a strong presence in Atlantic City. Well connected N.J. firm with broad local government contacts ; Coun- sel includes a former Supreme Court Justice and former Assembly 44 Nehmad Perillo & Davis, P.C. Speaker; one partner is land use expert Doug Henshaw. Keith Davis is the Atlantic County GOP Chairman; Sal Perillo, a Demo- crat, is the Mayor of Ocean City. 50 Waters, McPherson, McNeill, P.C They’ve been longtime players in Jersey City politics; firm includes for- 45 Picillo Caruso mer State Sen./Democratic State Chairman James Dugan and insider Who? A small Essex firm, but State Sen. Kevin O’Toole is a partner. Ken McPherson.

Commercial Real Estate Finance & Banking Intellectual Property Commercial Litigation Zoning & Land Use Real Property Tax Appeals Bankruptcy Municipal Law Residential Real Estate David K. Ansell Kristine M. Bergman Richard B. Ansell Jason S. Klein Mortgage Banking Jerold L. Zaro Melanie J. Scroble Civil Litigation & Personal Injury Peter S. Falvo, Jr. Barry M. Capp Wills, Trusts & Estates James G. Aaron Lynne Petillo Peter B. Grimm Douglas A. Davie Matrimonial & Family Mitchell J. Ansell Greg S. Gargulinski Municipal Court Defense Brian E. Ansell Phyllis Barker Criminal Defense Allison Ansell Ryan William E. Throne, IV Michael V. Benedetto Andrew J. Provence Douglas J. Katich Hussam Chater Harold Goldman Bridget K. Dorney David B. Zolotorofe Kevin T. Corcoran Counsel: Donna L. Maul Gordon N. Litwin Rick Brodsky Robert I. Ansell Lisa D. Goldwasser Lawrence H. Shapiro Robert A. Honecker, Jr. In Memoriam: Edward J. Ahearn Leon Anschelewitz (1929-1986) Jennifer S. Krimko Max M. Barr (1929-1993) George G.Whitmore Milton M. Abramoff (1935-2004) Frederick C. Raffetto Steven J. Brodman (2004-2006)

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