Viola Joins Gordon Rees

Viola Joins Gordon & Rees as a Partner in New Jersey Roy F. Viola Jr.

Gordon Rees Scully Mansukhani welcomed Roy F. Viola Jr. as a partner in Florham Park. He is part of a group including 11 other attorneys who previously practiced with Hawkins Parnell & Young. Viola joined the environmental and toxic tort, products and general liability, construction and commercial litigation practice groups. Viola has tried 35 jury trials across the country, and handles toxic tort, asbestos, talcum powder, contaminated food, environmental, and construction defect cases, the firm said. He has also been involved in the opioid litigation, representing wholesale pharmaceutical distributors in state and federal courts.  Ron Giller, managing partner of the New Jersey office, said in a statement that Viola's "broad experience in environmental and pharmaceutical litigation will be a tremendous asset to clients both in New Jersey and across the country." Viola was a combat officer in the U.S. Army Air Defense Artillery before attending law school. He reentered active service as an Army Judge Advocate, where he served primarily as a trial counsel. In 1996, he was also named a special assistant U.S. attorney responsible for felony prosecutions on U.S. property. He was a Distinguished Military Graduate and was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal by the secretary of the Army. After leaving active duty, he entered private practice. He has been a featured speaker at conferences and CLEs including HarrisMartin and the American Society of Civil Engineers. He is admitted to practice in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, and the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. He earned his law degree from Rutgers University and his undergraduate degree from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania.

Norris McLaughlin Adds Ligorano

Norris McLaughlin Welcomes New Partner Michael K. Ligorano to Bridgewater Office Michael K. Ligorano                                   [Photo Credit: BRIAN BOUMAN, MEMORY CREATIONS.]
Norris McLaughlin welcomed back  Michael K. Ligorano as a partner in Bridgewater. Ligorano, who was previously with the firm from 2001 to 2013, joined the firm's real estate, finance and land use group and the immigration practice group. "He is not only one of the state's foremost land use and commercial real estate attorneys, but as an experienced immigration counsel will help make ours arguably the best immigration practice in the region," said David C. Roberts, chair of Norris McLaughlin, in a statement.  Raymond G. Lahoud, chair of Norris McLaughlin's immigration law practice group, added: "The regulatory landscape of immigration law is constantly evolving, and Michael's understanding of these changes is important to our clients across a variety of industries and I look forward to having him on our team." Ligorano noted, "It is a true honor to be back at Norris McLaughlin and I know that my clients will benefit from the expanded level of services provided by the exceptional team of practitioners at the firm." Ligorano focuses his practice on real estate and land use, as well as immigration. He has served as a municipal attorney and a planning board attorney for New Jersey towns. Prior to rejoining Norris McLaughlin, Ligorano served as general counsel for the Diocese of Metuchen, overseeing all civil legal affairs of the diocese, and serving as the supervising attorney for the Diocese of Metuchen Catholic Charities Immigration Program. Ligorano earned his J.D. from the Western New England University School of Law and his B.A. from Rutgers University. He is a member of the New Jersey State, New York State, Florida, and Hunterdon County bar associations, as well as the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

Gayeski Joins Goldberg Segalla

Goldberg Segalla Welcomes Dana M. Gayeski Dana M. Gayeski