ROSELAND, NJ/August 21, 2012 - The 2012 New Leaders of the Bar, a special recognition by New Jersey Law Journal of “the best, brightest and most likely to lead the profession in the 21st century,” has named Connell Foley partners Patricia A. Lee and Owen C. McCarthy.
The selection continues a distinguished history of Connell Foley honorees for the designation formerly known as the “40 Under 40 awards” which expanded to include 50 individuals because, according to NJLJ Editor-in-Chief Ronald J. Fleury, “New Jersey has the talent.” Candidates nominated for inclusion are New Jersey attorneys in private practice whose contributions to the legal profession, their workplace and to public service distinguish them among their peers. New Jersey Law Journal editors evaluate nominees in several areas – from their leadership activities to individual achievements in charitable organizations, among many other criteria - before making selections. Those selected are considered top leaders in the legal community.
About Patricia A. Lee, Partner
With over 12 years of experience as a litigator, Lee has been engaged in a high profile, complex litigation practice, with particular focus on healthcare and construction cases, in civil and criminal matters. Her work has taken her before federal, state, and municipal trial courts. She has tried complex cases to verdict, been involved in appeals from trial court orders, and represented clients in arbitration, mediation, and administrative disputes, often nationwide or multidistrict in nature.
Lee’s representation has provided successful defense against a range of class action suits in the healthcare area, involving ERISA. She has served clients in matters related to malpractice and injury, as well as major cases entailing resolution of construction disputes, bonding issues, breach of contract, white collar criminal activities, and contamination matters, among many others. She has been an integral part of the firm’s recruitment and mentoring efforts through its Hiring Committee, and, on the Website Committee, facilitated the firm’s website revamp and rebranding.
Beyond her legal career, for many years Lee has been dedicated to and active in charitable causes including Making Strides Against Breast Cancer and the Agape Camp Fire Program, as well as pro bono work.
For more information, contact Patricia Lee at 973-535-0500 or plee@connellfoley.com.
About Owen C. McCarthy, Partner
A Certified Civil Trial attorney who has tried dozens of cases to verdict throughout New Jersey, McCarthy is a litigator, whose diverse civil practice includes tort litigation, insurance defense, as well as commercial disputes, including on behalf of New Jersey's largest insurance carrier and private corporations. At Connell Foley, he is the Practice Group Leader responsible for supervising the workflow and assignments of a team of eight attorneys representing the state’s largest insurance carrier in multiple forums concerning available insurance coverage and the defense of third party liability actions.
He is a Certified Mediator designated by the New Jersey Superior Court; he is a member of the prestigious American Board of Trial Advocates (ABOTA), a national association of experienced trial lawyers dedicated to the perseveration and promotion of the jury system in civil litigation.
McCarthy’s is one of only five individuals in New Jersey to have been elected to public office in two separate counties - in Bergen County, he served as Councilman and Deputy Mayor for the Borough of Fair Lawn and, in Monmouth County, as Councilman in the Borough of Manasquan. He has also served as Commissioner and Treasurer for the state's largest public housing authority, responsible for Section 8 rental assistance for thousands of qualified residents.
About the New Jersey Law Journal
Published since 1878, the New Jersey Law Journal is the legal authority for New Jersey, a state with the fifth largest attorney population in the country.
About Connell Foley
Founded in 1938, Connell Foley is a full-service law firm with more than 120 lawyers in six offices. The firm’s broad range of legal services covers both established and emerging areas of law, including ADR, construction, real estate and land use, intellectual property, corporate law, banking, healthcare, environmental, labor and employment, professional liability, trusts and estates, and bankruptcy. Connell Foley has locations in Roseland, New York, Philadelphia, Jersey City, Cherry Hill, and Spring Lake. Visit the company website at www.connellfoley.com.