Beenstock Named Managing Partner of Ballard's NJ Office

Jeffrey S. Beenstock has been named managing partner of Ballard Spahr's New Jersey office in Cherry Hill, according to firm chair Mark Stewart. Beenstock, who has been with Ballard Spahr's New Jersey office since 1999, has nearly 25 years of experience representing businesses, real estate investors, developers, and lenders, as well as public sector agencies, in a variety of transactions and projects. He succeeds John B. Kearney, a well-known litigator who retired in December. Beenstock is a member of Ballard Spahr's Expanded Board, a group of senior lawyers that helps set firm practice and policy. “Jeff is ideally suited to take the lead in shaping our future in New Jersey and building on our record of excellence in service to clients there,” Stewart said. “He is an outstanding lawyer, seasoned manager, and dedicated public servant with deep roots in the community.” Beenstock said: “Ballard Spahr has a long history in New Jersey, and I have a long history with Ballard Spahr. … New Jersey is unique, and we know it well because our New Jersey lawyers live, work, and raise families here.”

Karg Named Norris McLaughlin Meritas Member Contact

[Photo credit: Lynn Goodwin.]

Steven A. Karg, a partner at Norris McLaughlin & Marcus, has been named main member contact to Meritas, an established global alliance of more than 180 independent, full-service law firms. He replaces Joel N. Jacobson, a partner of the firm and chair of its real estate practice group. Jacobson had been the firm's representative to Meritas since 1991, when the firm first joined. Melissa A. Peña, a partner of the firm and co-chair of the Meritas' Financial Services/CRABS Group, will take Karg's place as the alternate member contact. Firms become members by invitation only and maintain membership by meeting standards of a quality assurance program. As Meritas' only firm located in New Jersey, Norris McLaughlin utilizes Meritas member firms to connect clients with quality representation in every state and in 90 foreign countries. “Meritas is integral in our ability to help our clients find quality legal assistance anywhere in the world,” said Karg, who handles product liability defense.

Sills Cummis Promotes Two to Of Counsel

Sills Cummis & Gross in Newark recently named Lucas F. Hammonds and Vincent R. Lodato of counsel, effective Oct. 1, 2017

Lucas F. Hammonds

Hammonds practices in creditors' rights and bankruptcy reorganization. He represents creditors, creditors' committees and other parties in complex Chapter 11 and Chapter 7 cases and related proceedings. He is admitted in New Jersey and New York. He received his J.D. from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University and his B.A., with distinction, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Lodato practices in litigation and product liability. His practice concentrates on defending product liability matters involving medical devices, pharmaceuticals, consumer products and class actions. He has also litigated various types of personal injury matters and commercial matters involving patents, trade secrets, contract disputes and employment matters. He is admitted in New Jersey and New York. He received his J.D., magna cum laude, from Seton Hall University School of Law and his B.A. from the University of Delaware.

Duff Promoted to Counsel at Wiley Malehorn

Wiley Malehorn Sirota & Raynes in Morristown has promoted Carolyn Conway Duff to counsel. Duff focuses on employment and commercial law, and public entity defense matters. Duff received her bachelor's degree, with honors, from Rutgers College in 2002, and her J.D., with honors, from Seton Hall University School of Law in 2006. At Seton Hall LAw she studied European Union law at Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland. In 2007, Duff earned a Masters Law Degree in Law and Government from American University Washington School of Law and interned with the Office of Hearings, U.S. Department of Transportation. Duff clerked for Appellate Division Presiding Judge Dorothea O'C. Wefing.

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Clemente Mueller Promotes Two

Clemente Mueller in Cedar Knolls has promoted Matthew H. Mueller to partner and Lori Anne Fee to of counsel.

Mueller has litigated various types of cases from inception to conclusion in state and federal courts in New York and New Jersey, including personal injury, civil rights, public entity liability, products liability, commercial contract disputes, and insurance coverage.

Fee is a veteran practitioner who handles a broad spectrum of general civil litigation matters in New Jersey and New York. Her practice includes toxic tort, product liability, workers' compensation and construction defect litigation. In addition, Fee has an active plaintiff medical malpractice caseload.

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Lindabury McCormick Welcomes Associate Petite

Lindabury, McCormick, Estabrook & Cooper added Elizabeth Candido Petite, who joined the Westfield office as an associate. She will focus on estate planning and administration, and tax law. She was previously with Norris, McLaughlin & Marcus. A 2011 graduate of New York Law School, Petite advises fiduciaries on the administration of trusts and estates and works on all types of non-tax issues that arise in the course of estate administration. She is also experienced in elder law, special needs planning and guardianships. She is an active volunteer with the Junior League of Morristown and serves on the board of DMF Youth Inc., a dance, fitness and life skill development program for underserved children in New York City. Firm president David R. Pierce said: “Elizabeth brings additional depth and experience to our firm. She has the talent and experience to help us expand our presence and continue the growth of the firm.”