Sills Cummis & Gross is growing. The Newark-based law firm recently added nine new attorneys to its Newark and New York City offices, including Richard Im, who will join as a member in the litigations and real estate department, working out of New York City.
Im concentrates his practice on complex commercial litigation, with a particular focus on creditors’ rights and real estate disputes. He has extensive experience in all aspects of real estate litigation, including commercial foreclosures, lender liability claims, title issues, priority disputes, mechanic’s liens, contract and joint venture disputes, construction claims, access agreements, brokerage matters, and other issues. He also represents lenders, borrowers, and investors in loan workouts, restructurings, and modifications, and in the purchase and sale of distressed debt.
A graduate of St. John’s University School of Law, he practices in New Jersey and New York.
Here’s a look at the eight other additions, starting with those working out of New Jersey.
NEW JERSEY
Victoria Agosta (Associate)
Real Estate Department (Newark)
Agosta concentrates her practice on land use, zoning, and redevelopment matters. In addition, she has experience in commercial real estate transactions, including property acquisitions and sales, leasing, joint ventures, and development financing.
She earned her J.D. from New York Law School.
Michael Baselice (Associate)
Employment and Labor Practice (Newark)
Baselice represents management in litigation before federal and state courts, focusing on claims involving discrimination, retaliation, accommodation, and hostile work environment. Additionally, he assists employers with in-house investigations.
He earned his J.D. at Seton Hall University School of Law
Evan Kleiman (Associate)
Trusts and Estates Practice (Newark)
Kleiman focuses his practice on estate planning, including wills, living wills, powers of attorney and insurance policies and other financial products.
He earned his J.D. at the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University
Alexandra Rinaldi (Associate)
Real Estate Department (Newark)
Rinaldi concentrates her practice on land use, zoning, and redevelopment matters, representing developers and landowners before planning boards, municipal bodies, and administrative agencies.
He earned his J.D. at the Pace University School of Law
Paul Salvatoriello (Associate)
Litigation Department (Newark)
Salvatoriello is an experienced trial attorney with over two decades of litigation experience, spanning both the private and public sectors. His practice is focused on complex commercial litigation matters and appeals. His courtroom experience includes appearances in both federal and state courts, including conducting jury trials, and arguing appeals on complex and novel issues of law before the New Jersey Appellate Division, the New Jersey Supreme Court, and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
He earned his J.D., at the Georgetown University Law Center
NEW YORK
Michael Levy (Of Counsel)
Trusts and Estates Practice (New York)
Levy’s practice focuses on estate planning, trust and estate administration, and Surrogate’s Court litigation. His experience also extends to business succession planning, as well as family charitable and philanthropic planning. Education: LL.M. and J.D., Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law at Yeshiva University; B.A., State University of New York at Albany. Bar Admission: New York.
Holly Pekowsky (Of Counsel)
Intellectual Property Practice (New York)
Pekowsky focuses on all aspects of trademark law, including conducting trademark searches to clear marks, prosecuting trademark applications, and strategically managing trademark portfolios, as well as defending and asserting clients’ rights against third parties, including in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office and in court, and through Uniform Domain Name Resolution Policy disputes.
She earned her J.D. at Brooklyn Law School
Zachary Candelaria (Associate)
Litigation Department (New York)
Candelaria has experience representing businesses in a broad range of legal disputes. He has guided businesses through high-stakes situations, including implementing successful risk mitigation strategies.
He earned his J.D. at the Villanova University School of Law
