NJBIZ Lists Three Gibbons Attorneys Among Its 2020 “Law Power 50”
News
June 1, 2020
NJBIZ, one of the leading general business publications covering New Jersey, has featured three Gibbons attorneys – Patrick C. Dunican Jr., Chairman and Managing Director; William J. Palatucci, Special Counsel; and Jennifer Phillips Smith, Director in the firm’s Real Property Department – on its “Law Power 50” list of the most influential attorneys in private practice, public service, corporate law departments, and nonprofit organizations in New Jersey. Gibbons is one of only three law firms in the state with three or more attorneys on the list.
Introducing the 2020 list, NJBIZ points out the dramatic changes to the practice of law brought on by the COVID-19 crisis this year and observes that some of those changes might be permanent. “In some important ways, lawyers are uniquely positioned to deal with that change. They know the levers of power and how to apply their training to solve problems. That’s why law firms and general counsel will be among the most important economic actors in the years to come.”
This year’s Law Power 50 feature ranks the top 10 New Jersey attorneys in numerical order and lists the remaining 90 in alphabetical order.
NJBIZ notes of Mr. Dunican:
Gibbons may not be the biggest firm in the state, but its influence is undeniable: it’s been the top lawyer-lobbying firm in the state for 12 years running, according to the state Election Law Enforcement Commission. Dunican has been running the shop since 2004. Law360 called him one of the most innovative managing partners at a U.S. law firm, and named Gibbons a regional powerhouse. Gibbons represented the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and state in a bid to get the final match of the 2026 FIFA World Cup – which had been expected to be the biggest ever – scheduled for MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford. Additionally, the firm represented the New Jersey Legislature in the case that forged the way for sports betting legalization, a fast-growing business in the state.
Of Mr. Palatucci, NJBIZ writes:
It’s tough to be influential as a Republican in New Jersey these days, given the pallid state of the party here. But Palatucci…is still a member of the Republican National Committee and so retains some measure of clout within the GOP at least. And the GOP did retake some Assembly seats and welcomed a defecting Democrat to its otherwise decimated congressional delegation. With a presidential election looming – and Republicans hoping to regain their footing – Palatucci will likely be a key player throughout the campaign. During the Christie administration, he was recognized as a power player in the national party and served as general counsel to the Trump transition committee.
NJBIZ writes of Ms. Phillips Smith:
She represents clients seeking site plan approval and variances from numerous planning and zoning boards in connection with restaurant, residential, retail, office, financial, medical, educational, and mixed use projects. Smith also represents clients in redevelopment areas…. She has extensive experience in land use litigation [and] real estate development and redevelopment … typically representing applicants and objectors in applications to planning and zoning boards and commissions. Smith has worked extensively on Riverton, a $2.5 billion mixed-use project being developed in Sayreville along the Raritan River and on a site formerly owned by National Lead. Even during the COVID-19 crisis, she continues to move this project closer to breaking ground.
The full “Law Power 50” list can be found here.
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. A description of the selection process methodology for the awards referenced is available at gibbonslaw.com/awards/.