Promotes 4 Attorneys to Principal and 3 to Counsel
FLORHAM PARK, NJ (January 2022) – Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. is pleased to announce that it has promoted seven 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, 2022. Attorneys elected to the firm’s partnership are Emily Bordens, Gregory Hoffmann, Louis Mendez, and Patrick Mulligan and attorneys promoted to counsel are Benjamin Akselrad, Kathryn Burfitt Rockwood, and Gregory Sparer.
The newest promotions class reflects the firm’s sustained growth, rich and diverse talent base, commitment to training and professional development, and growing national footprint. The group contains attorneys from some of the firm’s core practice areas, including business litigation, employment and labor law, insurance litigation, financial institutions, and private wealth.
"These seven talented individuals, from four of our offices, have consistently provided exemplary legal work and guidance to our clients," said Diana C. Manning, Bressler's firm managing principal. "Each of our promoted lawyers has demonstrated extraordinary skill, dedication, and commitment to client services and our firm's values. We look forward to many more great contributions from them as we move into a new year, and we wish them all continued success as they assume their new leadership roles."
Principal Promotions as of January 1, 2022
Emily J. Bordens (Florham Park, New Jersey) concentrates her practice on labor and employment law in New Jersey and New York. She represents employers in labor and employment matters under state and federal law, including, without limitation, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, wage and hour, disability, family medical leave, employment contract disputes, non-competition and trade secret protection, Title VII, wrongful termination, and whistleblower claims. Emily also handles issues of transportation negligence, providing representation to transportation companies in all aspects of personal injury and property damage litigation.
Gregory S. Hoffmann, Jr. (Fort Lauderdale, Florida) focuses his practice in the firm’s Insurance Litigation group. He represents a variety of insurance carriers in both State and Federal litigation including coverage disputes, bad faith and fraud investigations. Hoffmann is well-versed in all facets of insurance litigation and is often asked to present to multi-state carriers on a number of topics such as negotiating and valuation of claims, as well as effective claims investigations. In both 2021 and 2022 he was selected to the list of The Best Lawyers in America, Ones to Watch.
Louis F. Mendez (Birmingham, Alabama) focuses his practice in the firm’s Financial Institutions and Insurance groups, representing companies in all stages of disputes with their customers. He has experience in a broad range of litigation matters, including defense of securities arbitration and class action matters, defense of insurers in contestable life insurance claims and beneficiary disputes, and other commercial disputes. Louis currently serves as Vice Chair of the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee and is part of the team leading the firm’s participation in Midsize Mansfield. Earlier this year, Louis was recognized as a NextGen:Law Award winner by the Birmingham Business Journal.
Patrick J. Mulligan (Birmingham, Alabama) concentrates his practice within the firm’s Labor & Employment practice group. He represents management in a wide variety of employment matters, including cases arising under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, the Fair Labor Standards Act, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, the Americans with Disabilities Act, and other analogous state discrimination and tort laws. Mulligan handles cases in federal and state courts, as well as before administrative agencies and arbitration forums, including the EEOC, FINRA, and AAA.
Counsel Promotions as of January 1, 2022
Benjamin E. Akselrad (Florham Park, New Jersey) concentrates his practice on private wealth management. For individuals, he assists with estate planning, estate administration, asset protection, art collections, and philanthropic matters. For businesses, representation focuses on formation issues, raising capital, reorganizations, succession planning, acquisitions, and sales. For non-profit organizations, Akselrad helps them build from the ground up and advises on their ongoing governance issues. He also represents clients before the IRS and state tax authorities, as well as serves on the Emerging Leaders Committee for the Calvary Hospital.
Kathryn Burfitt Rockwood (Florham Park, New Jersey) concentrates her practice in the firm’s Financial Institutions practice group. She litigates primarily on behalf of broker-dealers, registered representatives, and other financial services professionals in various forums, including FINRA arbitration and federal and state courts. Her practice also encompasses representing and advising financial institutions and broker-dealers in connection with regulatory inquiries, as well as compliance with federal, state and local rules for investment of public funds.
Gregory S. Sparer (New York, New York) concentrates his practice in the firm’s Financial Institutions and Business Litigation practice groups. His litigation practice focuses on representing financial institutions, corporations, businesses, and their employees in all aspects of litigation and arbitration, litigating in various forums, including federal and state court and FINRA and AAA arbitration. In his regulatory enforcement and defense practice, Sparer represents financial institutions and broker-dealers in connection with inquiries and examinations from self-regulatory organizations, including FINRA and the SEC.