Testimonials

Nicholas P. Grippo
Litigation Department

The decision of where to begin your legal career is one of the most important, and most stressful, decisions of a lawyer’s life. For me, it took many hours of thinking, talking to people that I trust and respect, and a leap of faith. I say leap of faith because you really cannot determine if you made the right decision until you begin working.

I joined Greenbaum after completing a judicial clerkship. Unlike many of my colleagues, I did not work at the firm as a summer associate during law school and as a result, did not know many people when I began working here. Despite my concern that the transition from law student/law clerk, to lawyer, would be difficult in a place where I knew very few people, I felt welcomed and comfortable from the first day. Everyone at the firm, both lawyers and staff, went out of their way to introduce themselves to me and see if I had questions. The people here have been, and continue to be, truly great people to work with.

Additionally, the work that I have been given since I started in the litigation department has been diverse, substantive, interesting and challenging. Many of my law school friends at other large firms have been surprised at some of the assignments and cases that I have been involved with as a young associate. Greenbaum has provided me with the opportunity to work in many different areas of the law, which has been very valuable during these early stages of my career. Most importantly, all of the attorneys that I have worked with have shown a genuine interest in my work product, and have always taken the extra time to provide substantive feedback and answer questions. The mentorship and training that young attorneys receive at Greenbaum make it a great place to begin a legal career.

Jemi Goulian Lucey
Litigation Department

When I was in my first year of law school, I, like most law students, was overwhelmed by the prospect of deciding where to begin my legal career. I understood how important a summer associate position was to my legal career, but the task of deciding which of New Jersey's many prestigious firms to join as a summer associate was daunting. Fortunately, I attended a job fair at my law school in the spring of my first year, which was attended by recruiting teams from dozens of prominent New Jersey law firms. It was at this job fair that I met two members of the Greenbaum recruiting team and felt instantly at ease. They were so welcoming of both me and my questions, which covered every subject from the summer program to life as an associate. After spending some time with them, I obtained a business card from one of the Greenbaum attorneys on which I wrote "firm I really liked." I kept that card through my three years of law school and showed it to that same attorney upon returning to the firm as a first year associate.

I was fortunate enough to interview with several top New Jersey firms in the fall of my second year of law school when I was deciding where to work as a summer associate but again I found myself very interested and drawn to Greenbaum both for the warmth of the firm's environment and the quality of the firm's reputation. During my summer with Greenbaum, and my associate career to date, I have found mentors here that care just as much about my development as a lawyer as I do and I have found my experience here to be nothing but positive. As a litigation associate, I have had the opportunity to partake in all aspects of litigation and have been given as much responsibility as I demonstrate I can handle. I have always considered my decisions to be a summer associate at Greenbaum and to return as a first year associate as the best decisions of my professional life. During the last few years, I have conveyed my positive experiences at the firm through my involvement in the recruiting process to those law students who are embarking upon their legal careers and are in need of some encouragement, just as I was six years ago.

Jamie A. Yonks
Litigation Department

Greenbaum has provided me with the opportunity to work on high-level, challenging matters with partners and other associates who have the desire not only to create the best work product, but also to mentor those like myself who are just beginning. Moreover, what stands out at Greenbaum is not only the type of matters and the people, but also the responsibility that associates are given. In my first year as an associate, I was involved in all aspects of litigation. I not only researched, but I prepared motions and briefs. I had significant client contact and helped prepare litigation strategy in several cases. I prepared partners for depositions. I even participated in a mediation. Moreover, I represented a pro bono client in a parole revocation hearing. I continue as a second year associate to be given great responsibility and to be challenged on a daily basis. I know that given the experience I have had in such a short period of time that Greenbaum was the perfect place to begin my career.

Justin P. Kolbenschlag
Litigation Department

When I interviewed at the firm as a law student, I was immediately captivated by the sincerity and kindness of everyone with whom I came into contact. From the very start, I felt as if I was part of the Greenbaum team rather than the inexperienced, apprehensive law student that I really was at the time.

As a summer associate at Greenbaum, everyone at the firm treated me as a co-worker and made me feel welcome. I was able to get a true perspective on what life as an associate at Greenbaum was all about. The atmosphere at the firm is a unique combination of professionalism and collegiality, which is the perfect environment for a young associate. The summer came and went before I knew it, and I could not wait to get my career started at the firm.

I could never have anticipated how warmly I would be greeted as a first year associate. On my first day back at the firm, I was again apprehensive about what the future would hold. Within a few hours back at the firm my anxiety had subsided. Since that day I have learned a tremendous amount about the practice of law . The partners at the firm are more than willing to teach the young associates as much as possible about the practice of law. I am learning much faster than I ever thought I would as a first year associate. Greenbaum has provided the perfect balance of supervision and responsibility. I immediately began handling important tasks on complex matters, but have always had someone there who I could turn to if I needed guidance. Greenbaum is the perfect environment for a young associate.

Elyse H. Wolff
Litigation Department

Deciding where to begin my legal career was a very complicated process that became much less overwhelming after spending a summer at Greenbaum. Greenbaum has a fantastic reputation for generating high quality work in a culture that promotes growth, learning and professionalism. As a new litigation associate I have had the opportunity to work on a variety of matters, with many distinguished partners who have taken the time to give me constructive feedback and guide me in the practice of law. I was immediately made to feel part of the firm and my contributions have been incorporated into final products. The assignments I have worked on have been increasingly complex, allowing me the opportunity to rapidly develop my skills at a manageable pace. Associates are really encouraged to learn by doing, not simply observing.

What really distinguishes Greenbaum from other firms is the people. Everyone at the firm, associates and partners alike, is interested in your success. The atmosphere in the office is open, friendly and fosters interaction, both socially and professionally, between the associates and partners. My experience with Greenbaum has been both challenging and rewarding, and I look forward to building a fulfilling legal career with the firm.

Stephanie G. Reckord
Litigation Department

The summer after my first year in law school, I was unsure about the type of law I wanted to practice or where I could see myself beginning my professional career. My law school participated in the on-campus recruitment process and the first firm I was introduced to was Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis. I was greeted by a junior associate who was warm, eager and truly interested in hearing about me. That associate was able to convey in a ten minute interview that the firm was passionate about mentoring new attorneys. I walked away from that interview feeling certain about where I wanted to spend the following summer.

My experience as a summer associate was challenging, interesting and fun. After that summer, I decided to clerk my first year out of law school, but I always knew that I would return to Greenbaum. I am now an associate at Greenbaum, and in the short six months that I have been here, I have had the opportunity to work with experienced attorneys who take the time to explain and teach throughout the litigation process. The firm gives me substantial responsibility and independence, but at the same time it provides guidance and direction. Most important of all, the attorneys at Greenbaum genuinely care about me as a colleague and as a person.

Jill R. Bier
Corporate Department

I was privileged to obtain an offer for a summer associate position at Greenbaum for the summer between my second and third year of law school. But as my start date quickly approached, I became more and more fearful that I would not be able to perform to the firm's expectations or that I would be essentially "thrown into the deep end." Yet, within moments of arriving on my first day, my fears quickly vanished. The firm is large and multidimensional, yet has a collegial environment. From young associates to the most senior of partners, the individuals here are continually offering assistance and guidance along the way.

I now find myself barely a first year associate, having experiences generally reserved for significantly more senior level associates. Greenbaum takes an active and immediate interest in each individual's growth as an attorney. While I can safely say I have never been "thrown into the deep end" I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities to immediately delve into real work. For example, within my first month, I had formed an LLC, drafted an Operating Agreement, and corresponded directly with clients. Greenbaum uses a learn from doing approach, and not a learn by watching approach.