Partner Lukanski Rejoins Reed Smith

John Lukanski

John Lukanski returned to Reed Smith's Princeton office as a partner in the financial industry group and a leader of the broker-dealer practice. He was previously with the firm until 2016, according to a release and joined Reed Smith after departing McGuireWoods, where he was a partner. Lukanski is an experienced business litigator focusing on representing broker-dealer and wealth management clients in internal reviews, and regulatory investigations by state and federal authorities. “Very few attorneys possess the versatility and experience that John has in representing broker-dealers,” Ed Estrada, global chair of the firm's financial industry group, said in a statement. Diane Bettino, an executive committee member and Princeton managing partner, added, “We are so excited to have John back. He brings substantive experience as well as the type of steady counsel that clients seek out.” Lukanski said: ”When the opportunity came up to return to Reed Smith, a firm I am familiar with, it hit the bull's-eye. … We really have a great opportunity to be an industry-leading broker-dealer law practice” John graduated from Vanderbilt University School of Law in 1998 and Seton Hall University in 1995.

Giordano Halleran Hires Partner Mako

Mark Mako

Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla in Red Bank brought on Mark D. Mako as a partner in the real estate, redevelopment and planned real real estate redevelopment department. Mako concentrates on commercial real estate financings, including construction, project and mezzanine matters; acquisitions and sales; office, retail and warehouse leasing transactions; loan strucurings and workouts; loan portfolio sales and purchases; land use matters, and litigation. He was previously a partner with Parker, Ibrahim & Berg in Somerset. He graduated from New York Law School and Cornell University, and is admitted in New Jersey and New York.

Wilson Elser Brings on Of Counsel Sharp

James Sharp

Trial litigator James Sharp joined the New Jersey office of Wilson Elser as of counsel, the firm announced. Sharp has tried some 250 matters to verdict, according to the announcement, and was involved in a medical malpractice case recently decided by the New Jersey Supreme Court, Serico v. Rothberg. He focuses on professional liability and insurance defense, representing hospitals and health care facilities, physicians, nurses and other health care professionals in sophisticated litigation, including contract and product liability matters. Sharp previously was a partner with Schenck, Price, Smith & King and was a founding partner of Sharp & Mahoney. He graduated from the College of the Holy Cross and Seton Hall University School of Law. “Jim Sharp is a highly regarded adviser who brings exceptional trial and courtroom skills to virtually all litigation at any stage,” said Carolyn O'Connor, Wilson Elser's New Jersey managing partner, in a statement. Sharp added: “I am excited about this chance to provide my counsel and skills to lawyers and clients in New Jersey and throughout Wilson Elser.”

McCusker Anselmi Names COO

John Neubauer

McCusker, Anselmi, Rosen & Carvelli in Florham Park named John Michael Neubauer chief operating officer. Neubauer has decades of experience managing law firms, as well as experience in the manufacturing, real estate development and transportation industries, according to a firm release announcing his appointment as of May 7. As a law firm COO, Neubauer has handled financial oversight, marketing, attorney recruiting, human resources, technology, law firm merger and acquisitions, compensation systems, project management, space planning and acquisition, and facilities management. Most recently he was COO for law firm Henderson, Franklin, Starnes & Holt in Fort Myers, Florida. He earned a B.S., with a major in accounting and a minor in computer science, from Dominican College of Blauvelt.