The firm’s annual promotion of attorneys this year includes six exceptional lawyers in Alabama, Fort Lauderdale and New Jersey.
Florham Park, NJ (Jan. 9, 2024) – Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. is pleased to announce that it has promoted six attorneys to principal or counsel, continuing its tradition of recognizing and rewarding its attorneys’ dedication to delivering high-quality service to its clients. The promotions are effective January 1, 2024. Attorneys elected to the firm’s partnership are Samuel S. Cohen, Kathryn Burfitt Rockwood and Edward A. Velky and attorneys promoted to counsel are Laura Pizzitola, Zachary M. Rosenberg and Katelyn H. Wilson.
The newest promotions class reflects the firm’s sustained growth, diverse talent base, and commitment to training and professional development.
"These six exceptional individuals have proven their outstanding commitment to our firm’s values and dedication to client service,” said Diana C. Manning, Bressler's firm managing principal. "Each of our promoted lawyers has consistently demonstrated extraordinary skill and excellence in their work and has tirelessly advocated for their clients. They are trusted advisors within the firm, and we look forward to their continued growth and success as they move into their new leadership roles."
Principal Promotions as of January 1, 2024
Samuel S. Cohen (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) focuses his practice on insurance litigation and first property insurance defense. He volunteers his time outside of the firm as Secretary/Treasurer of the Mandel JCC of the Palm Beaches and as a 15th Circuit Governor for the Florida Bar Young Lawyers Division. Cohen earned his J.D. from Florida Coastal School of Law and his B.A. in English with a concentration in American Literature from Florida Atlantic University. He has also graduated from several leadership institutes, including ADL Glass Leadership Institute, Jewish Federation of Palm Beach County’s Emerging Leaders Program (Cohort 8) and Mandel Leadership Institute (Cohort 3).
Kathryn Burfitt Rockwood (Florham Park, New Jersey) is a member of the firm’s Financial Institutions practice group advocating on behalf of broker-dealers and other financial services professionals, primarily in customer-initiated complaints in litigation and Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) arbitration. She also assists clients with internal and regulatory investigations and inquiries. Rockwood utilized her past experience in local government representation to assist in developing the firm’s Public Funds Advisory practice, which advises brokers and investment advisors in the management of public entity funds and assists with the development of investment policy statements for public entities nationwide. In addition to her law practice, she volunteers her time as Secretary for the Morris County Bar Foundation and is a member of the New Jersey Supreme Court District XA Ethics Committee. Rockwood earned her J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law where she was a member of the Family Law Clinic for the law school’s Center for Social Justice and her B.A. in History from Colgate University.
Edward A. Velky (Florham Park, New Jersey) concentrates his practice on a full spectrum of business, complex commercial, construction and general litigation and represents clients across all industries in the areas of partnership and shareholder disputes, malpractice actions, corporate divorce, breach of contract claims, construction disputes, and other business torts. In addition to his litigation practice, Velky provides counsel for, among others, closely held businesses, contractors, subcontractors, construction managers, suppliers and restaurateurs and serves as outside General Counsel for a major tri-state area sports complex/concert venue, handling a variety of matters, including contracts and litigation. Velky earned his J.D., magna cum laude, from New York Law School and his B.A., cum laude, from Montclair State University.
Counsel Promotions as of January 1, 2024
Laura Pizzitola (Birmingham, Alabama) is a member of the Financial Institutions practice group. Pizzitola primarily represents broker-dealers and other financial services professionals in sales practice and customer disputes in state and federal court, and in arbitration proceedings before the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). These matters typically deal with complex financial products. Pizzitola also has extensive experience navigating both firms and registered representatives through the expungement process, including court confirmation. In addition to her litigation experience, Pizzitola assists with securities regulatory matters. She earned her J.D. from the University of Alabama School of Law and her B.S., summa cum laude, in Marketing from the University of Alabama.
Zachary M. Rosenberg (Florham Park, New Jersey) has been a member of the firm’s Real Estate practice group since 2020. He represents property owners, developers, lending institutions and businesses in all types of real estate transactions, including financing transactions, purchases and sales of commercial properties, and commercial leases. Outside of his transactional real estate practice, Rosenberg has represented many of the firm’s Cannabis clients in connection with cannabis licensing and municipal approvals, has handled land use and zoning applications, and has substantial experience advising clients on general corporate matters. Rosenberg earned his J.D. from Rutgers Law School, where he served as Publication Editor on the Rutgers University Law Review.
Katelyn H. Wilson (Birmingham, Alabama) is a member of the Financial Institutions practice group focusing primarily on the defense of brokerage firms and financial institutions against claims asserted by customers in state and federal court and in arbitration proceedings throughout the country. She also defends brokerage firms and financial institutions in connection with regulatory investigations. Wilson earned her J.D. from the University of Alabama, magna cum laude, where she was a Senior Editor for Alabama Law Review, and her B.S. from Birmingham-Southern College, magna cum laude.