Hackensack, NJ, June 29, 2009 – Cole Schotz (www.coleschotz.com) is pleased to announce that four of its attorneys rank among the leading practitioners in Delaware, Maryland and New Jersey across multiple practice areas, in Chambers USA 2009: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business.  The firm’s New Jersey-based Bankruptcy/Restructuring and Real Estate practices once again earned high marks, placing in the top two tiers of Chambers’ ranking, while the Delaware Bankruptcy/Restructuring practice entered the list for the first time.  Michael D. Sirota, Norman L. Pernick, Richard W. Abramson and Irving E. Walker were all named leading lawyers, also placing in the guide’s top tiers.  Chambers USA 2009 is the seventh annual edition of the guide, a well-respected legal directory, compiled based on in-depth interviews with key in-house counsel and private practice attorneys.

“Known for its thorough research and accurate analysis of the U.S. legal market, Chambers is considered the gold standard among legal directories,” said Glenn Kazlow, a member of Cole Schotz’ executive committee.  “This latest edition illustrates our continued strength and solid reputation among our valued clients in these highly competitive markets.  We are pleased that our representation in the guide has expanded in breadth this year, and appreciate the acknowledgement from our clients and peers that enabled our notable rankings.”

Chambers ranks law firms and individual attorneys in bands from one to six, with “Band 1” as the highest ranking.  Cole Schotz attorneys selected by Chambers and Partners include:

Michael D. Sirota secures a prestigious Tier 1 ranking in Bankruptcy/Restructuring in New Jersey again this year, Chambers notes, “…foremost among the team’s extremely capable and highly strategic thinkers is departmental chair Michael Sirota, who is one of the area’s leading practitioners in all areas of bankruptcy and restructuring matters. He is widely revered for his ability to develop innovative and effective solutions to bankruptcy issues. ‘He’s very diligent – and because he’s been in so many major cases, he has great general experience’,” say sources.

Norman L. Pernick ranks in Tier 1 in Bankruptcy/Restructuring in Delaware and according to Chambers, he is “hailed as a real force in the bankruptcy arena, Norman Pernick is relatively new to this firm. He works as sole counsel on midmarket cases or as co-counsel on larger matters, and is widely acknowledged as ‘a gifted problem solver.’”

Richard W. Abramson ranks in Tier 2 in Real Estate in New Jersey and is recognized by Chambers as the team chair, “…whose career with the firm stretches back over two decades. In that time, he has handled a vast number of cases and developed a special focus on acquisitions, financings and commercial leasings.”

Irving E. Walker makes his debut in the Chambers guide in the second tier in Litigation: Bankruptcy in Maryland

Cole Schotz honored practice areas include:

Bankruptcy/Restructuring (Band 1 – New Jersey)- According to Chambers, “…the New Jersey branch of this preeminent US outfit remains best known for its outstanding work on behalf of debtors, although it acts on both sides of the restructuring process. Sources say part of the team’s success is due to its fantastic customer service skills and innate ability to put clients undergoing bankruptcy proceedings at ease. As one interviewee explains: ‘The lawyers showed great enthusiasm and made us extremely comfortable in understanding what was happening. They were available night and day – I got the service I needed exactly when I needed it.’”

Real Estate (Band 2 – New Jersey) – “Clients say this firm particularly excels in retail leasing, along with office and industrial leasing. This specialty is but one feature of a remarkably broad practice, as the team has all the necessary resources to advise on a variety of local, national and international transactions. Its real estate expertise covers the full range, from acquisitions and developments to the financing and brokering of various properties. Sources praise its continued visibility in the marketplace, and attribute its strong reputation to the lawyers' diligent and knowledgeable attitude.”

Bankruptcy/Restructuring (Band 4 - Delaware) – “New to the tables this year, this firm has established a bankruptcy practice in Delaware that is praised for its debtor-related work,” notes Chambers.

Chambers and Partners, based in London, began as general book publishers in 1969.  Since 1990, they have published the Chambers Guide to the UK legal profession.  Chambers’ staff of full-time researchers now prepares renowned directories which assess and rank the world’s leading lawyers according to their reputations amongst peers and clients.  The USA Guide was first introduced in 2003.  The sixth annual Chambers USA: America’s Leading Lawyers for Business is based on in-depth interviews with leading private practice attorneys and key in-house counsel.  For more information about Chambers and Partners, visit www.chambersandpartners.com.

About Cole Schotz                         

Cole Schotz serves clients throughout the mid-Atlantic region of the United States with offices in New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Maryland.  The firm represents hundreds of closely-held businesses and individuals – many for decades – as well as Fortune 500 companies. 

Founded in 1928, the firm has grown to 120 attorneys who work in eight primary areas of practice:  Litigation; Real Estate; Bankruptcy & Corporate Restructuring; Tax, Trusts & Estates; Corporate, Finance & Business Transactions; Employment; Environmental; and Construction Services.

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