ConnectOne Bancorp has appointed Robert Schwartz as general counsel which it says reinforces the bank’s commitment to strengthening executive leadership capabilities as it accelerates growth following the successful completion of its merger with First of Long Island Corporation.
The appointment comes at a pivotal time for ConnectOne, as the Company recently reached nearly $14 billion in assets.
Schwartz brings decades of legal and strategic experience to ConnectOne. In his new role, he will advise the board of directors and executive leadership on legal, regulatory and business risks in an evolving operating environment.
Schwartz has served as a trusted legal advisor to ConnectOne since its inception, playing a foundational role in the Bank’s formation, IPO and multiple transactions throughout its 20-year history.
“Mr. Schwartz has been an integral player to the bank since day one, and we look forward to working with him in this new capacity,” Frank Sorrentino III, ConnectOne’s chairman and CEO said. “His ability to balance legal acumen with business strategy will be instrumental in driving the success of the newly expanded institution as we prepare for our next chapter of growth. Bringing someone of his caliber in-house reflects the strength of our platform and our focus on building an industry-leading leadership team.”
“After two decades of helping ConnectOne navigate many major milestones—from our formation to our IPO to strategic acquisitions—I’m energized to now lead our legal strategy from within,” Schwartz said. “This transition from trusted advisor to executive team member is a testament to ConnectOne’s ambitious vision. Together, we’re positioned to capitalize on the growing opportunities in today’s dynamic banking landscape.”
Prior to joining the bank, Schwartz served as a Partner at Windels Marx, where he specialized in advising financial institutions on mergers and acquisitions and bank regulatory and securities law. Schwartz holds a J.D. from Fordham Law School and a B.A. from Fordham University. He is a member of both the New Jersey and New York Bar.
