Jennifer Horowitz, co-chair of the corporate, finance and business transactions department at Cole Schotz in Hackensack, has handled a range of transactions for clients in various industries, including real estate, professional services, gaming and pharmaceuticals. A colleague said, “In addition to making and closing deals, Jennifer serves as outside counsel to clients' in-house legal teams, which welcome Jennifer's keen understanding of their businesses and sophisticated guidance in all aspects of corporate, business, finance and securities matters.” Horowitz also is co-chair of the firm's STARs Women's Initiative Committee and a regular organizer of CLE programs inside and outside the firm.

What were some of your most satisfying successes of 2018, and why?

My most satisfying deal successes involved transactions in which my role was indispensable to the client or the transaction, whether by providing a creative solution, a novel approach or keeping the transaction intact. In 2018, this arose in different forms, including transactions involving limitations imposed by law, complicated structures, opportunities to benefit from new or developing laws and integrating different structures and personalities. In fact, the most satisfying successes, do not always involve my biggest or highest profile clients or transactions.

What recent economic factors have affected your practice area?

With the recent favorable economic conditions, beneficial financing terms and new tax advantageous structures, we are very busy and with constant deal flow. That said, given the diverse nature of our clients, whether in size, location or industry space and the broad scope of corporate, finance and securities transactions, the type of transaction may vary, but our corporate practice, as a whole, is generally not significantly impacted by economic conditions.

Amid a changing market for legal services, what does it take to become a trusted transactional lawyer in New Jersey?

Our clients expect very sophisticated expertise in legal counsel as well as the highest caliber of services, all while being very cost-effective. It is particularly important to develop a keen understanding of a client's business and objectives, even in those situations where an attorney is only serving as transaction counsel, and not involved as day-to-day operational outside counsel.

A prospective client in crisis calls and asks why your team should be retained. What is your answer?

Assuming that I feel comfortable that the particular matter is within our bailiwick, I would first assure the client that we have the expertise and their crisis is completely manageable. I would advise that our attorneys provide the highest level of legal counsel and service, regardless of the crisis, urgency, constraints or challenges. Our corporate team provides sophisticated counsel and have the benefit of the full-service nature of our firm, with the ability to tap into the expertise of attorneys who specialize in employment, tax, real estate, environmental, intellectual property, bankruptcy, litigation and other matters. We typically would then provide a summary of recent relevant experience (without specifically naming clients, except with their consent). If, by chance, the matter is outside our expertise, I am always happy to introduce the prospective client to another attorney who specializes in the matter.

Dealmakers are extraordinarily busy people. What does the firm do to ensure that they remain engaged with pro bono work, their communities and their families?

Cole Schotz encourages involvement in a wide array of activities, including charitable, community service, pro bono, camaraderie building, professional education and business development functions and activities. This is reflected in firmwide, department or office location events, as well as firm support for attorneys in their own personal interests. The firm makes a very concerted effort to provide a workplace where work, family life and other interests can be well-balanced. Transactions are staffed with teams which are appropriate for the demands and experience required, with flexibility as needed to best serve our clients and attorneys. Further, through a variety of firm initiatives, including mentoring, management advisory committees, intra-department assignment systems, and professional development initiatives, the firm strives to ensure high attorney morale.