Forty Total Brach Eichler Attorneys Recognized by Best Lawyers in America© 2024

BACK TO INSIGHTS Awards

8/17/2023

Riza I. Dagli voted 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” for Criminal Defense, White-Collar in Newark

Roseland, NJ (August 17, 2023) – Twenty five attorneys at Brach Eichler LLC have been selected by their peers for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America© 2024. Additionally, fifteen Brach Eichler attorneys have been selected to the publication’s “Ones to Watch” category, recognizing up-and-coming young lawyers. Brach Eichler has six new Best Lawyers on the list this year including Lindsay Cambron, Riza Dagli, Alois Habjan, Jeffrey Itzkowitz, Isabelle Bibet-Kalinyak, and Caroline Patterson as well as six attorneys on the Ones to Watch list, including Vanessa Coleman, Paul DeMartino, Andrew Macklin, Kristen Marinaccio, Michael Spizzuco, and Edward Yun.

Congratulations to Riza I Dagli was voted the 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” for Criminal Defense, White-Collar in Newark. This recognition is based on Riza receiving the highest number of votes by other Criminal Defense – White Collar lawyers. This Lawyer of the Year Award denotes him as the highest rated Criminal Defense – White Collar lawyer in the Newark metro area.

Isabelle Bibet-Kalinyak, is an experienced and creative healthcare attorney and proven deal maker representing “brick-and-mortar” and virtual multi-state healthcare clients in complex business transactions including private equity deals, hospitals and ambulatory surgery centers acquisitions and joint ventures, MSO structuring, and strategic partnerships. She counsels six medical societies (NJAASC, NJAO, NJACOG, NJOGS, NJOS, NJSP), healthcare providers, Boards and management teams on the legal and strategic implications associated with various forms of corporate entities, healthcare integration models, and compliance. She frequently speaks at the national conferences of organizations such as the American Academy of Ophthalmology and MGMA. A French native and former French Honorary Consul, Isabelle now resides in West Orange, NJ.

Lindsay Cambron, primary area of practice is environmental law. She advises clients on regulatory matters and compliance at local, state, and federal levels and has extensive litigation experience, representing clients in cost recovery actions, toxic tort claims, and appeals of agency decisions. In particular, Lindsay counsels environmental and real estate clients on the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act (CERCLA), the Industrial Site Recovery Act (ISRA), the Site Remediation Reform Act, the New Jersey Spill and Compensation Act as well as other environmental laws and regulations. She handles matters involving wetlands, brownfield redevelopment, vapor intrusion, permitting, and compliance. Lindsay also has extensive experience handling access issues for both individual and corporate clients. She lives in Hoboken, NJ.

Edward P. Capozzi, who was named in the field of personal injury litigation – plaintiffs, is a Member and Chair of the Personal Injury Practice. Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Certified Civil Trial Attorney, he focuses his practice on personal injury arising from automobile, premises, product liability, and construction accidents. Known for his fierce cross-examination of medical witnesses and artistic presentations of his cases, Edward lectures across the country on trial techniques and the concept of proximate cause. Recognized by The Best Lawyers in America© since 2018, Capozzi resides in Kinnelon, NJ.

Matthew M. Collins, who was named in the field of employment law, is the Co-Chair of the Employment Law Practice where he provides strategic counsel to clients on a wide range of labor and employment issues such as discrimination; harassment; whistleblowing; discipline and discharge; layoffs; collective bargaining agreements; reasonable accommodations for disabled employees; and compliance with state and federal family and medical leave acts and applicable wage and hour laws. He also conducts training in these areas for executives, directors, managers, supervisors, and employees and conducts internal investigations of employee complaints. Matthew drafts and provides advice on employment contracts, employment manuals, personnel policies and procedures, restrictive covenants, and severance agreements, among others. He resides in Randolph, NJ.

Riza I Dagli, leads the firms Criminal Defense and Government Investigations Group. Voted the 2024 “Lawyer of the Year” for Criminal Defense: White-Collar in Newark, he focuses his practice on high-stakes criminal and commercial litigation, and represents businesses and individuals in complex and international matters and governmental investigations. He is regularly retained by corporations, health care professionals, health care organizations, financial businesses, lawyers, accountants, executives, and companies of varying sizes, in all stages of federal and state white-collar criminal and civil litigation, from initial inquiries to trial and appeals. Mr. Dagli lives in Plainsboro, NJ.

Lani M. Dornfeld, who was named in the field of healthcare law, is a Member in the Healthcare Law Practice where she represents a variety of healthcare providers, including hospitals, long-term care facilities, home health agencies, hospice organizations, substance use disorder treatment and mental health facilities, physician and dental groups, and individual healthcare practitioners. She handles regulatory, corporate, and transactional matters. This is the third year she was named among The Best Lawyers in America©. She resides in Boynton Beach, FL.

Susan K. Dromsky-Reed, who was named in the field of trusts and estates, is a Co-Chair and Member in the Trusts and Estates Practice and a Member in the Tax and Family Law Services Practices. She also serves on the firm’s Executive Committee. As part of her focus on estate planning and estate administration, she provides individuals and families with advice regarding spousal, intergenerational, business succession, trust, and charitable planning. Susan is also a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and this represents the fourth year she was named to The Best Lawyers in America©. She resides in Kinnelon, NJ.

John D. Fanburg, who was named in the field of healthcare law for the 20th year, is the Managing Member of the firm, chairs its Healthcare Law Practice, co-chairs the Cannabis Industry Practice, and is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. Fanburg has experience representing major hospitals, ambulatory care facilities, diverse physician medical groups, and statewide physician specialty organizations in a broad range of corporate, transactional, and regulatory matters. Fanburg has been named to The Best Lawyers in America© every year since 2003. He is a resident of Livingston, NJ.

Stuart M. Gladstone, who was named in the fields of tax law and trusts and estates, co-chairs the firm’s Trusts and Estates Practice and is a Member in the firm’s Corporate Transactions & Financial Services and Tax Practices. He is recognized as one of New Jersey’s leading authorities representing individuals as well as companies of all sizes in the fields of comprehensive estate planning, business succession, and estate taxation. Gladstone is a Fellow of the American College of Trust and Estate Counsel and has been the chairman of the Essex County Estate Planning Council for the past 20 years. Gladstone, a resident of West Orange, NJ, has been named to The Best Lawyers in America© every year since 2005.

Charles X. Gormally, who was named in the fields of commercial litigation and litigation – labor and employment, is the General Counsel to the Firm, Founding Member of the firm’s Litigation Practice, and Co-Chair of the Cannabis Industry Practice. He currently is authorized to practice in New Jersey, New York and California. He counsels clients on complex business matters, challenges to governmental regulation, contract disputes, and tort actions, and has successfully tried many jury and bench trial cases in the federal and state courts. Gormally serves as both a mediator and arbitrator in the State alternative dispute resolution programs. He has been designated on multiple occasions by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Certified Civil Trial Attorney for the past 25 years. Gormally, previously served as Mayor, Councilman, and Chairman of the Planning Board for the Borough of Mountain Lakes. He has been named to The Best Lawyers in America© every year since 2013 and resides in Sea Girt, NJ.

Joseph M. Gorrell, who was named in the field of healthcare law for the 31st year, is a Member in the Healthcare Law Practice. He counsels hospitals, medical staffs, nursing homes, and individual practitioners on a broad scope of issues ranging from practice bylaws to regulatory corrective actions to medical bioethics, and serves as an arbitrator on behalf of the American Health Law Association. A resident of Bridgewater, NJ, Gorrell was first named to The Best Lawyers in America© in 1991.

Carol Grelecki, who was named in the field of healthcare law, is a Member in the Healthcare Law Practice and represents physicians and other medical professionals, hospitals, ambulatory care facilities, independent practice associations, clinical laboratories, utilization managers, and billing companies in regulatory, licensure, corporate, and transactional matters. She has been named to The Best Lawyers in America© since 2015. She resides in Scotch Plains, NJ.

Alois Habjan, Alois V. Habjan, who was named in the field of real estate law, concentrates his practice in the area of commercial real estate, and represents and advises real estate developers, owners and operators of and investors in real estate. He handles a wide variety of commercial transactions involving apartment complexes, office buildings and vacant land, including acquisitions, sales, leases, refinancings, acquisitions of Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT) portfolios, construction and acquisition financing, and agency (Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae) commercial financing. He resides in Rockaway, NJ.

Alan R. Hammer, who was named in the fields of real estate law, as well as litigation – real estate, is a Member in the Real Estate Practice where he represents professional real estate investors, lenders, purchasers, and sellers of office buildings, shopping centers, industrial facilities, apartment complexes, and vacant land. He also serves on the firm’s Executive Committee. Hammer has been named to The Best Lawyers in America© every year since 2006. He resides in Livingston, NJ.

Jeffrey H. Itzkowitz, has over 30 years’ experience in all aspects of transactional real estate. His practice is primarily focused on commercial and corporate real estate transactions including leasing, sales, acquisitions, and all types of financing. His portfolio of matters includes development and construction projects, including the development of residential apartment houses, condominium, townhome, and single-family communities; conversions of existing properties to the condominium and cooperative form of ownership; limited liability company partnerships and related work; and environmental and land use issues and he resides in Scotch Plains, NJ.

Brian R. Lenker, who was named in the field of banking and finance law, chairs the firm’s Corporate Transactions & Financial Services Practice and is a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. He concentrates his practice on banking and acquisitions, sales and reorganizations of businesses, and commercial real estate. Named to The Best Lawyers in America© since 2015, Lenker resides in Sparta, NJ.

Stuart L. Pachman, who was named in the field of corporate law for the 29th year, is a Member in the Corporate Transactions & Financial Services and Litigation Practices. He counsels businesses and their officers on complex agreements, structuring transactions, business formations and breakups, and day-to-day issues including those involving litigation at both the trial and appellate level. He is a Founding Fellow of The American College of LLC and Partnership Attorneys. Pachman, now a resident of Sarasota, FL, was first named to The Best Lawyers in America© in 1993.

Caroline J. Patterson, is a prominent healthcare and business attorney with a reputation for sound judgment, responsiveness, and a creative approach to achieving her client’s legal and business objectives. Caroline concentrates her practice on a wide variety of transactional, corporate, and regulatory matters, including mergers, acquisitions, sales, strategic partnerships, joint ventures, private equity investments, HIPAA compliance, federal and state laws fraud and abuse laws, ownership and compensation arrangements, and employment negotiations. Caroline also has extensive experience advising investigators and clinical institutions on clinical trial agreements and clinical research law. She resides in Collegeville, PA.

Allen J. Popowitz, who was named in the field of real estate law, is the Real Estate Practice Chair and a Member in the Corporate Transactions & Financial Services Practice as well as the Real Estate Tax Appeals Practice. He also serves on the firm’s Executive Committee. Popowitz concentrates his practice in the areas of commercial real estate and mortgage lending and advises clients on sales, purchases, financing, leasing, and Internal Revenue Code Section 1031 tax-deferred exchanges. A resident of Franklin Lakes, NJ, Popowitz was first named to The Best Lawyers in America© in 2013.

Anthony M. Rainone, who was named in the fields of employment law and litigation, is a Co-Chair of the Litigation Practice. He concentrates his practice in labor and employment issues counseling businesses about their personnel discipline and termination decisions, employment handbook preparation, drafting employment contracts, non-solicitation, non-compete, and non-disclosure agreements, against employee claims of unlawful discrimination, harassment, whistleblower, retaliation and wrongful discharge, collective and class actions for wage and hour violations, and breach of employment contracts, as well as conducting internal investigations. Rainone is a resident of North Caldwell, NJ.

David J. Ritter, who was named in the fields of corporate law and trusts and estates, is a Member in the Trusts and Estates Practice and Chair of the Tax Practice. He concentrates his practice in personal, tax, and estate planning and laws governing corporations, memberships, and limited liability companies. A trusted personal and business advisor, he also provides business succession planning and sophisticated estate planning services to a wide range of clients. First named to The Best Lawyers in America© in 2007, Ritter is a resident of Scotch Plains, NJ.

Sean Alden Smith, who was named in the field of family law, is a member of the Family Law Services Practice. For more than 15 years, Sean has focused his practice on representing both corporations and individuals in their business and commercial litigations, personal matters, and complex high-net-worth matrimonial matters. In 2013, he was recognized for his development as a skilled litigator through his selection by the New Jersey Law Journal as a “New Leader of the Bar.” In 2015, he was asked to co-chair the Essex County Bar Association Family Law Executive Committee, a position he held until 2020. Smith resides in Westfield, NJ.

Carl J. Soranno was named in the field of bankruptcy and creditor debtor rights/insolvency and reorganization law as well as family law. Soranno chairs the Family Law Services Practice and has served clients in multiple areas across a wide variety of concerns and challenges. He represents high-net-worth individuals in contested and uncontested divorce actions, which include issues related to complex property division, valuation of closely-held businesses, executive compensation packages, alimony, and tax-related matters. In addition to family law matters, Carl’s 30 years of experience includes business formation, bankruptcy, and commercial litigation. A resident of Flanders, NJ, he is also a businessman and entrepreneur, having successfully launched a public biotechnology firm.

Frances B. Stella, who was named in the field of environmental law, chairs the Environmental and Land Use Practice and is a Member in the Cannabis Industry, Real Estate, and Litigation Practices. She focuses her practice on federal and state environmental litigation, site remediation, and environmental regulatory compliance and permitting, as well as counseling in real estate redevelopment and transactions. A resident of Harrison, NY, this is the third year she was named among The Best Lawyers in America©.

Rose A. Suriano, who was named in the field of commercial litigation, is a Co-Chair and Member in the firm’s Litigation Practice. With 30 years of trial and appellate court experience in both state and federal courts, Suriano represents both national and international companies in business litigation, contract disputes, and construction litigation. In 2018, she was selected by the New Jersey Law Journal as one of 20 “Top Women in the Law” and has been named one of five “Women of Achievement” by the New Jersey chapter of Professional Women in Construction. She was named a “NJ Top 25 Leading Woman Entrepreneur” by Leading Women Entrepreneurs in 2017 and recognized in 2011 by NJBIZ magazine as one of the “Best 50 Women in Business in New Jersey.” She was first named to The Best Lawyers in America© in 2019, she resides in Readington Township, NJ.

Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch 2024

Eric Alvarez, who was named in the field of litigation, including commercial, labor and employment and product liability- defendants. Alvarez focuses his practice on litigating complex commercial disputes in state and federal court. He is frequently called upon to serve as counsel to companies of all sizes, advising on day-to-day legal and operational issues. Eric was awarded Best Lawyers’ “Ones to Watch” for commercial litigation since 2021 and resides in Somerville, NJ.

Alex S. Capozzi, who was named in the field of personal injury litigation – plaintiffs, is an Associate in the Personal Injury Practice. Capozzi is a trial lawyer with extensive experience litigating cases involving personal injuries and complex civil issues in both New York and New Jersey. He has personally obtained multi-million-dollar jury verdicts at trial and is a lifetime member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, one of the most prestigious groups of trial lawyers in the United States in which fewer than 1 percent of U.S. lawyers are members.

Vanessa Coleman, was named in the field of healthcare law, is an Associate focusing her practice on general corporate, transactional, regulatory matters. Vanessa also has a litigation practice that focuses on defense of physicians in medical staff disputes and before the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners. She resides in Montclair, NJ.

Mark E. Critchley, who was named in the field of commercial litigation, is an Associate in the Litigation Practice. Critchley focuses his practice on business, commercial, and general litigation. Prior to joining Brach Eichler, he was, for over five years, a Deputy Attorney General with the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General, Division of Law. He resides in Hoboken, NJ.

Paul DeMartino Jr., who was named in the field of healthcare litigation, is an Associate in the Litigation Practice. Paul specializes in healthcare litigation with an emphasis in representing physicians, medical practices, ambulatory surgery centers and hospital systems navigate through complex business matters often involving contractual and shareholder disputes. More specifically, Paul has first-hand knowledge of the delicate issues that physicians and medical providers encounter daily from a clinical and regulatory perspective to the interpolitics between practice members, partners, employees, and hospital staff. He resides in Hoboken, NJ.

Corey A. Dietz, who was named in the field of personal injury litigation – plaintiffs and product liability litigation – plaintiffs, is an Associate in the Personal Injury Practice. Dietz is a trial lawyer focusing on personal injury and has worked hard to achieve multiple six- and seven-figure settlements for his clients in addition to handling all other aspects of trial work. Dietz, a resident of Warren, NJ, was named a New Jersey Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2018 – 2021.

Jeremy L. Hylton, who was named in the field of personal injury litigation – plaintiffs, is an Associate in the Personal Injury Practice. His practice includes appeals and personal injury litigation, encompassing motor vehicle accidents, slip and falls, and products liability actions. As a former defense attorney, Jeremy utilizes his experience to successfully navigate his clients through the intricacies of the legal adversarial system. Hylton is a resident of Cedar Knolls, NJ.

Daniel G. Leone, who was named in the field of personal injury litigation – plaintiffs, is an Associate in the Personal Injury Practice. In this role, he works closely with his clients to provide counsel on litigation and settlement strategy. Leone is a resident of Montclair, NJ.

Andrew R. Macklin, who was named in the field of corporate law, is a Member in the Litigation practice focusing in the areas of construction litigation, complex commercial litigation, consumer protection and probate disputes. He has achieved excellent results for clients in each of these practice areas at every stage, from negotiation through trial and arbitration. He is admitted to practice before the state, federal and bankruptcy courts in New Jersey, as well as the state courts in New York and Eastern District of New York. Andrew is a New Jersey Super Lawyer for 2022-2023 after having been a New Jersey Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2012-2019. He resides in Chatham, NJ.

Kristen E. Marinaccio, who was named in the field of family law litigation, is an Associate in Brach Eichler’s Family Law Group. Kristen concentrates her practice in matrimonial and family law including divorce, custody and parenting time disputes, alimony and child support, enforcement or modification of support, equitable distribution of assets, pre-marital agreements, adoption, and appellate practice. She resides in Weehawken, NJ.

Kristofer C. Petrie, who was named in the field of personal injury litigation – plaintiffs, is an Associate in the Personal Injury Practice. Petrie is an aggressive advocate on behalf of his clients and brings with him a passionate, client-centered approach, helping injury victims navigate the complexities of the insurance industry to achieve the best possible outcomes. Petrie was named a New Jersey Super Lawyers Rising Star from 2018 – 2021 and resides in West Orange, NJ.

David J. Ritter, Jr., who was named in the field of corporate law, is Counsel in the Tax, Trusts and Estates, and Corporate Transactions & Financial Services Practices. Ritter focuses his practice in the following areas: estate planning, estate administration, corporate organization, corporate transactions, commercial loans, and healthcare. Ritter resides in Milltown, NJ.

Michael A. Spizzuco, who was named in the field of commercial litigation, focuses on assisting clients in the construction, manufacturing and supply-chain management sectors, with an expansive litigation practice encompassing both New Jersey and New York state and federal courts. He represents construction companies of all sizes in various matters including construction defects, contractual disputes, mechanic/construction lien law claims, warranty claims, and public-works project disputes. Michael also reviews and drafts contracts for businesses, project owners, general contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers. Additionally, he serves his clients in defending Division of Consumer Affairs investigations. He resides in Wayne, NJ.

Lauren Adornetto Woods, who was named in the field of commercial litigation, environmental litigation, labor and employment litigation, and healthcare law, is an Associate in the Litigation Practice. Woods is a litigator with experience representing businesses and individuals in a variety of federal and state court matters, with a focus on complex commercial litigation. In addition to breach of contract disputes, Lauren’s experience extends to construction litigation, labor and employment and premises liability matters, insurance defense, and consumer fraud class actions.

Edward J. Yun, who was named in the field of healthcare law, helps clients resolve the broad spectrum of legal and business challenges that confront the healthcare industry. He has broad, yet in-depth, experience representing individual professionals, multispecialty practices, ambulatory surgery centers, health technology companies, clinical laboratories, substance use disorder treatment facilities, home health agencies, hospitals, clinically integrated networks, clinical research foundations, and other health-related businesses. He counsels clients in fraud and abuse and regulatory compliance concerns, healthcare transactions, certificate of need and facility licensure applications, Medicare, Medicaid, and commercial payor contracting, payment models and reimbursement, provider audits and investigations, and day-to-day business affairs. He resides in Fort Lee, NJ.

Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers® has become universally regarded as the definitive guide to legal excellence. Best Lawyers lists are compiled based on an exhaustive peer-review evaluation. Over 105,000 industry leading lawyers are eligible to vote (from around the world), and we have received over 11 million evaluations on the legal abilities of other lawyers based on their specific practice areas around the world. Lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to be listed; therefore, inclusion in Best Lawyers is considered a singular honor. Corporate Counsel magazine has called Best Lawyers “the most respected referral list of attorneys in practice.”

About Brach Eichler LLC

Brach Eichler LLC is a full-service law firm based in Roseland, NJ. With 87 attorneys, the firm is focused in the following practice areas: Healthcare Law; Real Estate; Litigation; Trusts and Estates; Corporate Transactions & Financial Services; Personal Injury; Criminal Defense and Government Investigations; Labor and Employment; Environmental and Land Use; Family Law; Patent, Intellectual Property & Information Technology; Real Estate Tax Appeals; Tax; and Cannabis Law. Brach Eichler attorneys have been recognized by clients and peers alike in The Best Lawyers in America©, Chambers USA, and New Jersey Super Lawyers.

*No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. For the awards and honors methodology, visit https://bit.ly/3o09WOD