The level of law firm activity in mergers and acquisitions and lateral hiring remains very high. With some fits and starts, New Jersey did see its share of newsworthy moves in 2018. Some moves, however, grabbed more attention than others, and in the process captured some of the prevailing themes of business-of-law coverage in the Garden State: The importance of personal relationships, and the need to plan for the future.

Return to Newark

In a move that he said at the time was motivated by finding a firm with a commitment to New Jersey, litigator James Tyrrell in February brought his products liability and mass tort practice group from the Morristown office of Locke Lord to Sills, Cummis & Gross in Newark, where he became co-chairman the firm’s mass tort practice. Making the move with him were George Talarico, Elissa Glasband, Eric Westenberger and Patrick Gilmartin, who all joined Sills as partners.