Katz to Coach Maccabi USA's Youth Men's Baseball

Eric Katz, a senior partner with Mazie Slater Katz & Freeman in Roseland, has been appointed head coach for the youth men's baseball team at the 2018 International Maccabi Youth Games. Katz has been coaching youth baseball for many years and led the MetroWest Jewish Community Center baseball teams to six medals between 2008-14, including two gold medals. This is Katz's first time participating with Maccabi USA, and he is excited to be part of the inaugural International Maccabi Youth Games, he said. “It is a singular and humbling honor to be granted this opportunity to not only represent the United States and our faith, but to do so in Israel,” Katz said. “Maccabi USA is so much more than just the first-rate athletic competition, it is about coming together as Jews. The history and fulfillment of playing in our Jewish Homeland brings the Maccabi USA experience to a new level, one that I can't wait to share with my players.” The Maccabi Youth Games will take place in Israel, July 22-Aug. 1, 2018. The Games are in cooperation with JCC Association, the JCC Maccabi Games, BBYO, and Maccabi organizations around the world.

Gibbons' Giannelli Receives Woman of the Year Award

Karen A. Giannelli, chair of the financial restructuring and creditors' rights department of Gibbons in Newark, received the 2017 Woman of the Year Award by the New Jersey Network of the International Women's Insolvency & Restructuring Confederation (IWIRC-NJ). The award was presented at the organization's annual holiday party on Dec. 14, 2017, at Mompou in Newark. IWIRC-NJ was founded to enhance the professional status and reputation of women in the insolvency practice, including attorneys, turnaround managers, accountants, investment bankers, and others. The award recognizes the professional accomplishments and contributions to the practice of insolvency of a distinguished practitioner and role model in the field. Among Giannelli's qualifications for the award is her 35-plus-year career at Gibbons, advising public and private companies and financial institutions throughout the country in financial restructuring, creditors' rights, and financial services. She is a member of the firm's executive committee and a founding member of the Gibbons Women's Initiative, which serves to develop young women professionals through mentoring and networking. She was a founding member and the first president of the Women in Federal Practice in New Jersey Inc. She serves on the board of the New Jersey Chapter of Turnaround Management Association and was the chapter's first female president. She was also the first woman elected chair of the New Jersey State Bar Association's Bankruptcy Law Section and the first woman attorney from New Jersey to be elected into the American College of Bankruptcy, for which she has held leadership positions for several years and currently serves on its board of directors.

Saiber's Kleiman Appointed to IAGA Board of the Trustees

Jeremy Kleiman, the leader of Saiber's gaming law practice group in Florham Park, was recently appointed to the board of trustees of the International Association of Gaming Advisors (IAGA) at its annual meeting in New York on June 1, 2017, The appointment was announced on Oct. 18, 2017. IAGA represents gaming advisors and includes senior executives, legal and financial advisors, regulators, consultants and academics. Members are involved in the evolution of regulated gaming in numerous jurisdictions worldwide, and contribute to the promulgation and progress of gaming law through publications, conferences and teaching. IAGA trustees are elected to three-year terms and are responsible for promoting organization objectives. Trustees may be elected to two consecutive three-year terms, and new trustees are appointed at each annual meeting where existing trustees' terms expire.

Gruber Firm Gives Back to Northwest Jersey Community

Gruber, Colabella, Liuzza & Thompson, with offices in Hopatcong and Newton, celebrated the holidays by giving back to the local community. In lieu of a traditional holiday party, the firm purchased 10 new bicycles for children of various ages who are currently being helped by Ginnie's House in Newton, an advocacy center for abused children. During their firm party, the attorneys and staff built bicycles to be given to parents for their children on Christmas morning. Continuing with the theme of giving back, the staff decided to forgo the normal holiday grab bag and instead donated bicycle helmets to match each of the bikes purchased by the firm. On Dec. 16, 2017, partners Mark Gruber and Chris Colabella delivered the bicycles to Ginnie's House.