Porzio, Bromberg & Newman Recognized at 2021 New Jersey Law Journal Legal Awards

September 24, 2021, Morristown, NJ. Porzio is pleased to announce that New Jersey Law Journal widely recognized the firm in multiple categories of the 2021 New Jersey Legal Awards, including as one of three finalists for Law Firm of the Year, at its awards gala hosted on September 23^rd. 

Law Firm of the Year Finalist – Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C. 

The firm was recognized for going above and beyond during the COVID-19 pandemic for achieving excellent results across practices through a combination of leadership, skill, and helping others in need. "The pandemic provided a platform for the firm to reimagine how we do business and serve our clients," said Vito A. Gagliardi, Jr., Managing Principal of the firm and its three wholly-owned subsidiaries. "The first thing we did was work to ensure that none of our employees would be laid off, furloughed, or miss a paycheck regardless of their ability to work from home. By committing to everyone in the firm, we received an unprecedented commitment from our employees in return. The dedication of our people in all positions is the key driving force for how we were able to have such an excellent year."

In addition to Law Firm of the Year, Porzio was recognized in three other categories:

Lifetime Achievement Award - The Honorable Maurice J. Gallipoli

The Honorable Maurice J. Gallipoli accepted the Lifetime Achievement Award. A certified civil trial attorney who was active in both the Essex and Hudson County Bar Associations, Judge Gallipoli was appointed to the bench in 1987. In 2004, he began serving as Assignment Judge for the Superior Court of New Jersey, Hudson Vicinage. In 2007, it was announced that Judge Gallipoli would assume direct leadership of the Jersey City Municipal Court to oversee operations and help strengthen the court's leadership and preserve its integrity after a series of irregularities were found by Judge Gallipoli and his staff during an investigation of the court. While on the bench, Judge Gallipoli's legacy includes adjudicating in the complex areas of condemnation law and election matters.

Serving as the president of the Hudson County Bar Association in 1985, Judge Gallipoli made it his personal mission to ensure the restoration and renovation of what is currently the Brennan Courthouse. This significant undertaking is a true mark of Judge Gallipoli's perseverance and dedication to the law. As a result of his efforts, Hudson County ultimately was required to invest in rebuilding the courthouse every year. While the courthouse reopened in 1987, Judge Gallipoli's efforts did not cease. Judge Gallipoli continued to be instrumental to this ongoing project leading to additional renovations and expansions that continued over the course of his 25 years on the bench. Even as he retired from the bench, Judge Gallipoli was quoted as advocating for the continued efforts to rebuild the courthouse.

New Leaders of the Bar - Rahil Darbar 

Rahil "RJ" Darbar has a decade of experience representing individuals and business entities in commercial disputes, representing design and construction companies in complex construction defect lawsuits, representing manufacturers in products liability matters, and personal injury litigation. His litigation practice is now focused on representing executors, trustees, and beneficiaries in a variety of matters. 

RJ has been widely recognized for his leadership by multiple outlets, including for his leadership in the South Asian Bar Association of New Jersey (SABA-NJ), where he has been an active member for the past four years and where he has held several positions including Treasurer, Vice President, and President-Elect. RJ was recognized by SABA-NJ as the 2020 Professional Lawyer of the Year as a result of his efforts with the organization. RJ is also recognized for being selected and serving on the New Jersey State Bar Association's Commission on Racial Equity in the Law (COREL) and for his thought leadership on the recent surge of violence against Asian Americans in the aftermath of the pandemic. 

Dealmakers of the Year – Bankruptcy and Refinancing 

Porzio's Bankruptcy and Financial Restructuring Team, led by principals John Mairo, Warren Martin, Brett Moore, Cheryl Santaniello, Rob Schechter, Kelly Curtin, and Rachel Parisi, handled multiple high-profile, complex matters of significant dollar value for clients in New Jersey and across the country. The team was recognized as 2021 Dealmakers of the Year for helping clients overcome financial challenges so that companies were able to continue to achieve their business goals and by serving as trusted advisors to clients. "During the pandemic, this was even more satisfying as we were able to help businesses that were struggling at such a critical point in time to help them preserve or enhance their financial future," said Warren J. Martin, Principal and Co-Chair of the firm's Bankruptcy and Refinancing Team. 

The team was also recognized for maintaining an internal culture that allows for a balance between life and work for team members. "Porzio provides a tremendous amount of support and flexibility so that even the busiest teams at the firm can achieve great results for the clients while obtaining a balance between life and work," said John S. Mairo, Principal and Co-Chair of the firm's Bankruptcy and Refinancing Team. "Porzio is very proud of the corporate culture that we have established. When people truly enjoy spending time together and when they are empowered to manage their workloads and schedules to best suit their needs, the firm benefits," he continued. 

For more information on NJLJ's Legal Awards, please click here. 

About Porzio

Founded in 1962, Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C. is a full-service law firm with over 90 lawyers throughout offices in New York City, Morristown, Ocean City, and Princeton, NJ, Wilmington, DE, Westborough, MA, and San Juan, Puerto Rico. The firm is committed to serving clients, providing high-quality work, and achieving results through legal strategy, advocacy, technology, and consulting services offered through the law firm and its three wholly-owned subsidiary companies. The firm provides legal services in business law, employment, litigation, bankruptcy and restructuring, intellectual property and trademark, real estate, and other areas to businesses of all sizes ranging from start-up companies to Fortune 500 corporations, including public and private organizations. For additional information, please visit www.pbnlaw.com.