In a continuing effort to promote from within, recognizing leadership within its ranks, Connell Foley recently announced the promotion of eight attorneys across its New Jersey offices — including five to the partner level.
Jae Joo, Thomas Leane, Melissa Lopez, Joseph Megariotis and Robert Verdibello have been named partners, the firm announced in April. Carly Campoli, Samantha Diorio and Zachary Nastro have been elevated to ‘of counsel.’
The firm said the promotions reflect continued growth and recognition of leadership across key practice areas.
Managing Partner Tim Corriston applauded the announcement.
“These promotions reflect Connell Foley’s strong commitment to advancing our attorneys and investing in their professional development,” he said. “We look forward to their continued contributions to the firm and our clients.”
A look at the attorneys:
Partners
Jae Joo: He practices in the areas of premises liability, product liability, construction/labor law and general negligence. He has extensive experience, from pre-litigation to trial, handling cases involving transportation and premises liability, New York labor law and construction liability, product liability, employment liability, medical malpractice, equitable relief and professional liability, as well as workers’ compensation claims. Joo received his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law and his B.A. from Rutgers University.
Thomas Leane: He assists clients with a broad range of real estate, redevelopment, and environmental and litigation issues. Leane has been involved in the development of the Jersey City waterfront and Journal Square. He also counsels clients on residential and commercial landlord and tenant matters, business formation and organization, condominium forms of ownership and municipal code violations. Leane received his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law and his B.A. from Boston College.
Melissa Lopez: She focuses primarily on real estate transactions, land use, redevelopment law, condominium and planned real estate development, complex commercial financing, commercial leasing and tax abatements. She also handles environmental aspects associated with real estate and other commercial transactions. Lopez has a niche practice in the area of alcoholic beverage licensing, liquor license transfers and alcohol beverage regulatory control. Lopez received her J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law and her B.A. from Georgian Court University.
Joseph Megariotis: He focuses primarily on complex commercial disputes, including franchise and trademark litigation in the retail and hospitality sectors, as well as the defense of large exposure/catastrophic casualty events throughout the country. He also regularly assists corporate entities seeking to domesticate foreign judgments in the State of New Jersey. Megariotis received his J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley School of Law (now Western Michigan University Cooley Law School) and his B.S. from Seton Hall University.
Robert Verdibello: He represents owners, developers and contractors in all aspects of residential and commercial real estate transactions. In particular, he has extensive municipal experience and regularly helps clients obtain approvals from municipal land use boards. Verdibello received his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law and his B.A. from Rutgers University.
Of Counsel
Carly Campoli: She practices in the Insurance Coverage Group. Prior to joining the firm, she served as a law clerk to the Honorable Heidi Willis Currier, J.A.D., in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division. Campoli received her J.D. from Rutgers Law School and her B.A. from Franklin & Marshall College.
Samantha Diorio: She focuses her practice on commercial litigation, representing individuals, businesses, shareholders, and other interested parties in complex state and federal court matters. She has experience counseling clients through all phases of the litigation process. Diorio received her J.D. from Syracuse University College of Law and her B.A. from Boston College.
Zachary Nastro: He practices in the areas of insurance defense, Labor Law and construction litigation, premises liability and general negligence. His experience includes defense of corporations and educational institutions in various civil litigation matters, including product liability, labor law, premises liability, automobile accidents, and contractual disputes. Nastro received his J.D. from St. John’s University School of Law and his B.A. from Sacred Heart University.
