New Jersey Legal Awards Recognize Rahool Patel as New Leader of the Bar, Thomas Reilly as Unsung Hero

The New Jersey Law Journal has recognized two Porzio, Bromberg & Newman attorneys among its 2026 professional excellence honorees. Rahool Patel has been named a New Leaders of the Bar honoree, and Thomas Reilly has been recognized as an Unsung Hero. The awards celebrate attorneys whose leadership, service, and professional accomplishments have strengthened New Jersey's legal community.

Patel, a member of the firm's Employment & Education Team and Litigation Practice Group, is recognized for his accomplishments in employment law and his commitment to serving both the legal profession and the broader community. His practice includes employment litigation and counseling for clients ranging from small businesses to national companies, advising employers on workplace disputes, leave and accommodation issues, restrictive covenants, trade secret protection, and other complex employment matters.

Beyond his practice, Patel has dedicated significant time to professional service through the New Jersey Supreme Court's attorney disciplinary system. He currently serves as Chair of the Supreme Court's District Ethics Committee for District VIII and has been a member of the committee since 2019, previously serving a term as Vice Chair. In that role, he contributes hundreds of volunteer hours each year reviewing attorney ethics matters and helping maintain public trust in the legal profession.

Patel's commitment to service extends beyond the legal community. He serves on the Board of Trustees of Shore House in Long Branch, New Jersey's only accredited clubhouse for adults living with mental illness, and on the Board of the Axelrod Performing Arts Center. He also spent nearly a decade mentoring students through NJ LEEP, helping young people from underserved communities explore educational and professional opportunities in the legal field.

Reilly, a member of the firm's Employment & Education Team and Litigation Practice Group, is being recognized for the substantial impact he has made behind the scenes on some of the firm's most significant matters. An accomplished appellate and litigation attorney, he plays a key role in developing legal strategy, refining arguments, and crafting briefing in complex litigation and appellate matters.

Throughout his career, Reilly has contributed to numerous published and precedential decisions before the New Jersey Supreme Court, the Appellate Division, and the Commissioner of Education. His work has spanned matters involving education law, open government, law enforcement oversight, civil liberties, and public policy issues, helping shape legal precedent on issues with statewide significance.

In addition to his practice, Reilly serves on the faculty of Seton Hall University School of Law's appellate advocacy program, where he helps train future advocates. His recognition as an Unsung Hero reflects the indispensable role he plays in advancing complex legal matters and achieving successful outcomes for clients, often through strategic contributions that occur well outside the public spotlight.

Honorees will be recognized during an awards ceremony on October 29, 2026, at The Palace at Somerset Park in Somerset, New Jersey.

For additional details about the New Jersey Legal Awards methodology, please click here.

No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.