March 27, 2008 - 1:58pm
New Jersey's Most Powerful Law Firms
By Editor
Tags: Wolf Block, Windels Marx, Weiner Lesniak, Walder Hayden, Trenk DiPasquale, Sills Cummis, Scarinci Hollenbeck, Riker Danzig, Parker McCay, Nowell Amoroso, Hill Wallack, Gilmore and Monahan, Gibbons P.C., DeCotiis, Blank Rome, Archer & Greinier
The PolitickerNJ.com list of the NEW JERSEY'S MOST POWERFUL LAW FIRMS identifies the law firms in the state that carry the most political power – the most sway over the business of government and politics. We looked for the firms with the combination of political influence, marquee names, and access to policymakers at different levels of government. These lawyers understand how the inside political game is played and how to get results for their clients. The list will recognize and include smaller firms that play a dominate role in the workings of local government in different regions of the state. As always, our lists are subjective, and we encourage you to contact us with your comments.
CLICK HERE TO READ READ THE LIST OF NEW JERSEY'S MOST POWERFUL LAW FIRMS
Contributors
Wally Edge
Just days before the May 13 municipal elections, Teaneck Councilwoman Monica Honis seems to be getting a pass from some leaders of the Jewish ... >
Bob Torricelli
Everything that I admire and fear about the Democratic Party was on display this week. The compassion for creating affordable housing and the ... >
Michael Patrick Carroll
McCain announce his intention to appoint real judges, and both teh Times and the Journal muff the story. >
Debbie Holtz
Let’s get this straight. Does U.S. Attorney Chris Christie think he only has a role to play when there’s a violation of US federal ... >
Steve Lonegan
FOR 190 YEARS, New Jersey had no income tax and no sales tax. As recently as 1966, it had only the third-highest property taxes in the nation.
>
Dr. Joseph Marbach
The budget proposed by Gov. Jon Corzine has produced myriad negative reactions, featuring various interests seeking to limit the impact of the cuts ... >
Rob Tornoe
Click more to view the Monty Python video clip this cartoon is based on. >
Michael P. Riccards
With her victory by ten points in Pennsylvania, Hillary Clinton has re emerged as a very viable candidate for the Democratic nomination. It is ... >
Carla Katz
A hugely misguided attempt to eliminate the Department of Agriculture is the spark which has lit an angry fire which took over West State street ... >
Poll
PolitickerNJ Partners
Top Tags
Most Active Stories
- Coley joins Kennedy
- Winners & Losers of the Week
- Corzine is the kind of Clinton backer Obama needs
- Lautenberg demands Andrews refund taxpayers
- Myers' allies propose bill to limit Kelly benefits
- Weinberg says Teaneck councilwoman should have apologized for 'gas chamber' remark
- Is Payne flipping to Obama?
- Lautenberg accepts 101.5 debate with Andrews and Cresitello
- Where's the outrage?
- Pallone says he's with Clinton until the end; says Andrews is "not a progressive"
- Dr. Bones goes to Washington
- PoliticsNJ.com Power List 2007
- Eleven arrested in bribery scandal
- Lyndhurst GOP, nearly all of them, switching parties
- Lobbyist arrested
- Governor Paralysis
- Who is the best State Party Chairman in New Jersey
- KYRILLOS, BECK, KEAN & HANDLIN VOW WORK TO KEEP SEASTREAK FERRY UP AND RUNNING
- Two N.J. super delegates go to Obama; Norcross backs Obama; key Clinton supporters endorse Obama
- At energy policy meeting, Rose fights with cabinet and walks away
Recent Posts From Inside Edge
Quote of the Day
May 9, 2008
"In television, it's called 'jumping the shark.' A plot device designed to bolster declining ratings, the phrase refers to an episode of the sitcom 'Happy Days.'The sitcom's popularity was waning, so the character Fonzie jumps over killer fish in his motorcycle. Republican Murray Sabrin is running for U.S. Senate. His self-determined moniker is 'Maverick Murray.' If that's a stretch, calling Sabrin 'The Fonz' is practically Gumby-esque. But Sabrin, sans 'hog' and leather jacket, is jumping the shark." -- The Record's Alfred Doblin
-The Record, 05/09/08
Recent Press Releases
- May 12 2008
- May 10 2008
In the News
Read the expanded Wake Up Call, our summary of today’s news media coverage.
Today’s Must Reads:
Republican candidates differ on abortion― Star-Ledger
Zimmer puts emphasis on fiscal stance― Courier-Post
Andrews complains about lack of debating time with Lautenberg― PolitickerNJ.com
Tax water, don't hike tolls, lawmakers say― The Record
Cresitello's campaign must offer a chockful― The Daily Record
Lautenberg accepts 101.5 debate with Andrews and Cresitello― PolitickerNJ.com
Jersey Democrats call for party unity― Star-Ledger
Lautenberg agrees to debate Andrews on public television― The Inquirer
PolitickerNJ.com Jobs
Syndicate
McManimon & Scotland
Worth noting that the DSC's new general counsel, Bill Northgrave, is a partner here. They should be higher on the list based upon their bond work but Northgrave's role at the DSC also warrants a move up the list.
2 that should be higher...
Genova Burns & Wolff Samson should be much higher.
They both have clout statewide, while some of these other firms above them are regional county players at best.
What's the criteria here? Having a legislator on the payroll means you're powerful?
Riker Danzig #1
As a former State House wag, I must say that Riker Danzig has always been THE firm most respected by both sides of the aisle, no matter who is in control. While Weiner Lesniak may be perceived as more powerful because of basically one individual, on balance Riker Danzig's GA people always exhibit a high degree of professionalism, they're super smart and get consistent results. They're the model office on West State Street and should be #1.
S&H
Although Scarini is number 5, I think they should be at least number 2. S&H is a extremly powerful law firm. They even do legal work for Hudson County Boss Stack.
Another one who wasn't mentioned was big political Jersey City lawyer, Lepis.
Awesome list over all though!
State Investigation of Genova's Cammarano Costs Them
Some reduction in Genova's standing might be in order with last month seeing election-law violations on Peter Cammarano surfacing in a State investigation of his PAC. Genova's political connections, reputation in election law/public affairs, and rainmaking are probably compromised somewhat by this.
Genova had Cammarano placed as Clintion top counsel in NJ - and you can bet this is egg on their face with Obama people running to superdelegates here with the embarassing connection.
Sullivan & Cromwell
NY white shoe firm is not a player in state politics, but Goldman Sachs connections go far with Gov. Corzine.
Public projects include the new Jets-Giants stadium and Xanadu.
Also, Paramus-based NJ real estate behemoth Vornado is a big client.
conflict of interest and abuse of power
"If Lyndon Johnson was an attorney operating a law practice in Texas while he was Senate Majority Leader..." I would think there might have been someone point out that it would be an obvious conflict of interest and an apparent abuse of power.
Why does Weiner Lesniak or any such politically-connected law firm get a license to represent public bodies and developers who have matters before those entities?
Why is nobody upset that so much of our taxpayer money is poured into these firms, which apparently use the power invested in them by the public for their own personal gain?
At what point do the citizens of a democracy reclaim the institutions that have kept us free from the few people who have perverted them for their own profit?
People need to use their votes to end conflicts of interest and abuses of power
Ashcroft's law firm. # 1
He doesn't need political clout to get his contracts.
Drinker Biddle
Certainly a respected and powerful firm, but Mark Sheridan, a partner at the firm, serving as general counsel to the Republican State Committee doesn't hurt. Not sure how Politicker missed that one.