Roseland, New Jersey - February 12, 2018 - Connell Foley LLP is pleased to announce the firm has hired nearly a dozen highly skilled litigators and several professional staff who will join the firm in its Newark office. The group, led by veteran trial attorney Jeffrey O’Hara, is comprised of six partners, one of counsel and four associates who will practice in the firm’s insurance and commercial litigation groups. With a national practice, the group focuses primarily on casualty cases involving large exposure, catastrophic events, as well as matters involving violation of franchise agreements, transportation and products liability claims.
Joining O’Hara in the move to the firm are partners Matthew Bauer, Laura Breitenbach, Catherine Bryan, Bryan Couch and Matthew Schultz; of counsel Patrick During; and associates Perri Koll, Kelly Krug, Joseph Megariotis and Justin Vogel. They most recently practiced at LeClairRyan, however, many of them began their careers at Connell Foley.
“We are thrilled to welcome back Jeff, Bryan, the two Matts (Bauer and Schultz), Katie, Patrick and the balance of their team to Connell Foley,” said Managing Partner Phil McGovern. “Not only are they an exceptional group of attorneys for whom the trial bar has tremendous respect, but, just as important, they previously had long and accomplished careers with us and fit well within the fabric of Connell Foley. Their practices bolster our already significant litigation, insurance, and professional and products liability groups. As Connell Foley alums, they are part of the family.”
“Personally and professionally, I could not be happier than to be returning to Connell Foley,” added O’Hara. “The firm has one of the premier trial practices in the region and it is a real honor to have the opportunity to practice here again. The synergies between the firm and our group are obvious and we are certain our clients will greatly benefit from our decision to come home.”
Standing (left to right): Matthew Bauer, Kelly Krug, Justin Vogel, Laura Breitenbach, Bryan Couch, Joseph Megariotis; Seated (left to right): Patrick During, Catherine Bryan, Jeffrey O’Hara, Matthew Schultz, Perri Koll
O’Hara is a Certified Civil Trial Attorney, a distinction he has held since 1999. As of January 2018, he had handled approximately 80 jury trials with 62 verdicts in a wide array of subject areas. An Associate in the American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA) since 2003, O’Hara received his J.D., cum laude, from Widener University School of Law.
Matt Bauer (partner) maintains a complex litigation practice concentrating in transportation, premises liability, product liability and general business disputes. He is a graduate of the International Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) Trial Academy at Stanford University. Matt received his J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law.
Laura Breitenbach (partner) focuses on defending premises liability, product liability, professional malpractice, and business litigation claims in both the state and federal courts of New Jersey and New York. Laura received her J.D., magna cum laude, from Pace University School of Law.
Katie Bryan (partner) has extensive experience in premises and general liability, products and professional liability, catastrophic loss, wrongful death actions, retail, and estate and trust litigation. She is also a graduate of the IADC Trial Academy at Stanford University, as well as ABOTA. Katie received her J.D. from the University of Notre Dame Law School.
Bryan Couch (partner) handles complex commercial disputes, trademark litigation, business torts and casualty claims, with a particular focus on contractual disputes arising from a wide variety of business relationships, primarily in the franchise and hospitality sectors. Also a graduate of the IADC Trial Academy at Stanford University, Bryan received his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law.
Matt Schultz (partner) counsels clients in premises and general liability, products and professional liability, catastrophic loss, consumer fraud class actions, wrongful death actions, contract disputes and business litigation. Matt likewise is a graduate of the IADC Trial Academy at Stanford University. He received his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law.
Patrick During (of counsel) focuses primarily in the areas of business litigation, product liability and tort law and also has substantial experience representing national franchisors in commercial and trademark litigation. Patrick received his J.D. from College of William & Mary, Marshall-Wythe School of Law.
Perri Koll, Kelly Krug, Joseph Megariotis and Justin Vogel likewise have substantial experience in business torts, commercial litigation, and a variety of other general liability matters.