Stark & Stark announced that four associates were elected to partner as of July 1, 2018: Ian Abovitz, David Schmid, Domenic Sanginiti and Gene Markin. Abovitz, a member of the accident & personal injury group, handles complex injury, medical negligence and construction accident claims, as well as motor vehicle and slip-and-fall cases. Schmid, of the personal injury group, is a certified civil trial attorney focusing on serious and catastrophic injury cases, including severe burn injuries, construction injuries, automobile negligence, and premises liability. Sanginiti, also of the accident & personal injury group, focuses on catastrophic cases, negligent security claims, wrongful death and products liability. He has  handled cases involving the hazards of lithium ion batteries, and e-cigarettes and other vaping products. Markin is in the firm’s commercial litigation and intellectual property litigation groups, handling complex litigation matters involving copyright and trademark, trade secrets litigation, false advertising, domain name disputes, unfair competition, class actions, fraud and consumer fraud, shareholder and partner disputes, and contract matters. “Stark & Stark is very proud of our 2018 Shareholder Class,” managing partner Michael Donahue said in a statement. “This decision was made in reflection of each of their many impressive professional accomplishments in their individual fields.”

Messina Makes Partner at Genova Burns

Charles J. Messina

Charles J. Messina was elected partner at Genova Burns in Newark as of  July 1, 2018, the firm announced. Messina, previously counsel at the firm, co-chairs the cannabis law practice group, is on the strategic planning committee, and is a member of numerous practice groups: complex commercial litigation, construction law & litigation, employment law & litigation defense, insurance & reinsurance, and intellectual property & information technology. He has substantial experience handling complex contract and commercial disputes, insurance and employment defense matters, trademark litigation, professional liability and coverage issues, and franchise litigation. He regularly counsels businesses and their executives on transactional, consumer and employee-related issues. He is experienced at the trial and arbitration levels. “Charles is an exceptional attorney and brings extraordinary client service and skills to all matters in which he is involved,” firm managing partner Angelo J. Genova said in a statement.