Connell Foley was recognized for its excellence across multiple practice areas, and added four new practice areas and seven additional attorneys, to the list in the 2021 Chambers USA Guide, which ranks the leading lawyers and law firms across the USA. The Corporate/M&A, Environment and Immigration practice areas debuted on the rankings, doubling the number of Connell Foley practice areas recognized by Chambers.
The seven additional attorneys recognized in the 2021 Chambers USA Guide also doubled the number of firm attorneys selected for inclusion in Chambers. The firm is proud to extend congratulations to our attorneys recognized in this year’s Guide: Agnes Antonian (Environment), Kevin Coakley (Real Estate), Timothy Corriston (Environment), Thomas Cosma (Construction), John Cromie (Corporate/M&A), Neil Dornbaum (Immigration), Mark Fleder (Construction), Kevin Gardner (Environment), Charles Harrington III (Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use), Christina Ku (Environment), Michael McBride (Construction), Jonathan McHenry (Insurance), Peter Smith (Construction) and Abigail Walsh (Immigration).
Connell Foley's 2021 Chambers USA rankings are as follows:
Construction (Band 1). The second consecutive year achieving Band 1 status, the Construction group was described by Chambers as having “vast experience assisting governmental entities, owners, developers and contractors with contract negotiation and litigation.” Interviewees stated, "They are a larger full-service firm with a strong construction practice group,” and said the team is “very professional, courteous and extremely knowledgeable."
Corporate/M&A (Band 4). Chambers writes that the Corporate/M&A group “focuses on midmarket work for clients including family-owned businesses and public companies,” whose “expertise includes M&A transactions in addition to private equity work, commercial agreements and corporate governance issues.” According to clients, "The team works hard to ensure matters are completed in a timely manner and has a good understanding of how to best accomplish business transactions while protecting their clients' interests."
Environment (Band 4). According to Chambers, Connell Foley’s Environment group “offers astute environmental regulatory counsel to clients in a variety of sectors across energy, utilities, real estate and chemicals,” and is “particularly recognized for managing significant Superfund work in New Jersey.” One interviewee stated, "They are very accessible, knowledgeable and produce excellent legal product."
Immigration (Band 2). New to Connell Foley (see here), the Corporate and Immigration practice is described by Chambers as “well-respected” and notes the employment Immigration team “assists clients on I-9 compliance audits” and “provides advice on the immigration elements of corporate M&A.”
Insurance (Band 2). Chambers writes that the Insurance group is a “skillful outfit acting on behalf of insurers in coverage and subrogation disputes, regularly selected to represent clients in many large and high-profile cases, including class action coverage disputes.” One client said: "Connell Foley has a high degree of knowledge and experience with insurance coverage claim matters."
Real Estate (Band 3). Connell Foley’s Real Estate group has “expertise in transactional, development and financing matters” and is “frequently involved in high-profile residential and commercial projects throughout the state,” according to Chambers. Interviewees stated that they are the “best in their field” and “have a very strong practice, particularly along New Jersey's Gold Coast."
Agnes Antonian – Environment (Band 3). Chambers writes that Agnes “is adept at negotiating with government agencies as well as defending companies in contamination and CERCLA claims.” Clients note that “she has both technical skills and legal skills.”
Kevin Coakley - Real Estate (Band 2). Chambers highlights Kevin’s ability to “guide clients through dealings with government agencies in New Jersey.” “Kevin is superb and does a fair amount of work in redevelopment. He is an excellent advocate and is very much respected,” noted one client.
Timothy Corriston – Environment (Band 3). According to Chambers, “Tim is recognized for his work on Superfund, Spill Act and mass tort matters.” “He is versatile, he writes well and he establishes good relationships with both the client and the adversary,” commented one source.
Thomas Cosma – Construction (Band 2). The Chambers Guide writes, “Thomas Cosma represents contractors and architects in significant contract negotiation and litigation.”
John Cromie - Corporate/M&A (Band 4). Chambers highlights John’s “expertise in divestitures, among other transactions, and also provides advice on governance and finance matters.” Clients report that “he has a good command of M&A issues and is great to work with."
Neil Dornbaum – Immigration (Band 2). Neil “advises on employment-based immigration matters for clients in the education and pharmaceutical sectors, among others,” writes Chambers. He is regarded as “an excellent lawyer” according to a respondent.
Mark Fleder – Construction (Band 1). The Chambers Guide notes that Mark is valued for his “ability to handle major construction projects and litigation on behalf of public owners and general contractors.”
Kevin Gardner – Environment (Band 3). Kevin “has a broad commercial litigation practice which includes significant experience managing environmental law claims,” describes Chambers. One source praised him for his “decades of experience” and said that “he knows the law and he knows the judges.”
Charles Harrington III - Real Estate: Zoning/Land Use (Band 3). Chambers credits Chuck for “advising developers in obtaining approvals for mixed-use development projects, among other matters.” A source stated, “He is a really good attorney who gets major land use approvals.”
Christina Ku – Environment (Associates to Watch). Christina “advises clients on environmental litigation involving CERCLA and the Spill Act,” Chambers explains. According to a client, “Whether a technical or legal question, her response time is amazing; she is a great asset to our company.”
Michael McBride – Construction (Band 1). Chambers highlights “his deep expertise advising owners and developers on major construction projects and disputes.” Sources described him as “knowledgeable" and “very talented."
Jonathan McHenry – Insurance (Band 3). The Chambers Guide writes that Jon “handles a diverse array of coverage disputes, including those involving environmental damage, asbestos, product defects and sexual abuse claims.”
Peter Smith – Construction (Band 2). Chambers notes that Peter is “deeply experienced in the litigation and arbitration of construction disputes and is recognized for his work as an arbitrator.” One source wrote, “Peter is a very experienced construction arbitration counsel; he commands the respect of everyone in the room."
Abigail Walsh – Immigration (Associates to Watch). The Chambers Guide states that Abigail “handles business immigration matters for a broad range of corporate clients” and is “adept at advising on extraordinary ability visas.”
