1972: The Founders
Initially known as Liebman & Flaster, P.A., the firm began in 1972 when Rick Flaster (top left), a Harvard Law School graduate, left Wall Street's Stroock Stroock & Lavan, to form a two-lawyer tax practice with Emmanuel ("Manny") Liebman. The firm of Liebman & Flaster, P.A. brought sophisticated approaches to legal practices in tax, corporate, real estate, mergers and acquisitions, pension planning and estate planning to South Jersey clients.
Celebrated for his office collection of over 1,400 hippopotamus in a Wall Street Journal feature on workspaces, Rick Flaster continued to serve as a member of the firm's original Tax and Corporate Practice Group until his death in 2010 at the age of 67.
In 1976, Shareholder Steve Greenberg came on board. A graduate of Yale Law School in the same year, Steve is currently the president of the firm and is still a member of the Business and Corporate Practice Group. The firm would change its name to Flaster Greenberg in 1999. In addition, and most notably, Steve was a recipient of the 2016 New Jersey Law Journal Lifetime Achievement Award.
1980s & 1990s: Finding Our Niche
As the firm expanded and its clients began looking to its attorneys for broader representation, the decision was made to expand the capabilities of the firm from strictly handling tax and directly related matters, to including other synergistic areas, such as securities law, bankruptcy, and ultimately, litigation. The firm added the following attorneys and practices:
- Laura Wallenstein 1980 - 2016, Estate Planning, Business & Corporate Law
- Allen Fineberg 1985 - present, Business & Corporate Law
- Alan Zuckerman 1988 - present, Taxation
- Philip J. Kirchner 1992 - 2023, Litigation
- Steven Sacharow 1996 - present, Family Law
- Frank Wisniewski 1999 - present, Real Estate & Land Use
- Kenneth Goodkind 1999 - 2014, Litigation
- Alma Saravia 1999 - present, Healthcare Law
Throughout its expansion, however, the firm’s marketplace niche and core vision remained steady: Concentrate on serving the closely held business community and its principals (including professional practices), carefully coordinate all of their needs, and continue to attract recognized experts in their fields.
During this pivotal time, the firm would also change locations. On December 8, 1995, it moved from an office at 5 Greentree Road in Marlton, where it had been located since 1986, to its current home of almost 30 years at 1810 Chapel Avenue West in Cherry Hill.
A Unique Compensation Formula
A key turning point in the development and cohesion of Flaster Greenberg came in 1994 when it adopted a formulaic approach to the compensation of its principals and a democratic approach to firm governance, with a rotating management committee. While the shareholder compensation formula has undergone some “fine tuning” at the edges, it has essentially remained the same since inception. Very carefully researched and considered, the formula considers a variety of factors, but excludes seniority.
As a result, the newest attorney in the firm can be the most highly compensated. In addition, a formulaic approach adopted and accepted by all the principals creates a direct relationship between the originations and productivity of the principals and their compensation, and virtually eliminates politics in the determination of compensation. The results have been outstanding: Since the adoption of this transparent compensation formula, the firm continues to attract top-level talent and maintains positive and overall high attorney satisfaction.
2000s: Expanding Our Reach
Locations & Practices
With the turn of the century, the pace of growth accelerated with the additions of the following attorneys and practice areas:
- Frank Riesenburger, 2000 - 2024, Environmental Law
- Mitchell Kizner: 2000 - present, Environmental Law
- Robert Washburn, 2000 - present, Real Estate & Land Use
- Jeffrey Cohen, 2001 - present, Litigation
- Doug Stanger, 2001 - present, Bankruptcy
- Kenneth Gilberg, 2007 - 2021, Labor & Employment
Joining them in the mid-2000s and rounding out the list of current shareholders who have been with the firm for 15 years or more are
- Michele Tarantino,
- Co-Managing Shareholder Jordan LaVine,
- Marty Judge,
- Bill Burnett,
- Co-Managing Shareholder Steve Poulathas, and
- Tami Bogutz Steinberg.
Building Our Legacy, One Milestone at a Time
2026
- Firm restructures departments and practice groups to meet evolving client needs and market demands
- Grows staff to 96 attorneys and 158 total employees
- Shareholders Ross Alexander, William Burnett, and Peter Wakiyama join Board of Directors and Shareholders Jeffrey Cohen, Joseph Klinicki, Jordan LaVine, Meghan Moore, Steven Poulathas, and Michele Tarantino for the 2026 term
- Names Shareholder John Koch as firm's General Counsel, Long-time GC Mitchell Kizner transitions out of role after 18 years
- Names Shareholder Karen Conn Mavros as Women’s Initiative Chair; Shareholder Courtney Dolaway steps down after six years of service
- Elevates Aakash Patel and Nicole Josephy to shareholder
- Continued expansion of Patent Prosecution & Counseling and IP Litigation Practice Groups, to be one of the largest intellectual property groups in the region
2025
- Shareholder Peter Wakiyama joins the firm and leads the new Artificial Intelligence, Privacy, & Cybersecurity Practice Group
- Elects Co-Managing Shareholders Jordan LaVine and Steven Poulathas to a second term
- Shareholders Jeffery Cohen and Harry Giacometti join the Board of Directors and Shareholders Michael Bonella, Joseph Klinicki, Adam Gersh, Jordan LaVine, Meghan Moore, Steven Poulathas, and Michele Tarantino for the 2025 term
2024
- Franklin J. Riesenburger, Flaster Greenberg Shareholder of 24 Years, Retires
- Charles K. Plotnick, Flaster Greenberg Retired Shareholder and Esteemed Legal Professional, Passes Away
- Shareholders Adam Gersh and Tami Bogutz Steinberg join Shareholders Michael Bonella, Joseph Klinicki, Jordan LaVine, Meghan Moore, David Neufeld, Steven Poulathas, and Michele Tarantino for the 2024 Board of Directors term
- Shareholder John Koch named Deputy General Council
- Elevates Matthew Meltzer to shareholder
- Expands Transportation, Logistics, & Supply Chain Practice Group with the addition of Shareholder Eric Palombo
- Launches Sports Law and Art Law Industry Groups
- Continues to grow patent practice with the addition of seven attorneys and a technical advisor
2023
- Philip J. Kirchner, Shareholder for more than 30 years, passes away
- Flaster Greenberg establishes the Laura B. Wallenstein Memorial Scholarship fund at Rutgers Law School to honor the memory of their trailblazing longtime shareholder, Laura Wallenstein
- Alan Zuckerman steps off of Board of Directors, completely transitioning firm leadership to the “next generation”
- Shareholders Chris Merrick, David Neufeld, and Michele Tarantino join Board of Directors and Shareholders Michael Bonella, Jeffrey Cohen, Joseph Klinicki, Jordan LaVine, Meghan Moore, and Steven Poulathas
- Welcomes first Chief Information Officer
- Elevates Ryan Peddle to shareholder
2022
- Celebrates 50th Anniversary
- Laura B. Wallenstein, First Woman Shareholder at Flaster Greenberg, Passes Away
- Grows staff to more than 70 attorneys and 125 total employees
- Forms Women’s Advisory Group, an extension of the Women's Initiative
- Steve Greenberg steps off of Board of Directors to begin the transition of firm leadership to the "next generation"
- Grows Family Law Practice with the addition of Shareholder Yoninah Orenstein
- Names Shareholder Mariel Giletto chair of the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee
- Names Shareholder Courtney Dolaway chair of the Women’s Initiative
- Names Michael Piscitelli IP Department Chair
- Continues Intellectual Property Expansion with the addition of 22 attorneys
- Expands tax practice with the addition of Shareholder David Shechtman and Counsel Matthew Meltzer
- Elevates Eric Clendening and E. Marc Miller to shareholders
2021
- Shareholders Jordan LaVine and Steven Poulathas named Co-Managing Shareholders, Alan Zuckerman concludes term
- Harry Giacometti named Bankruptcy Department Chair; Tami Bogutz Steinberg named Business and Corporate Department Chair; Joseph Klinicki named IP Department Chair; Jeffrey Cohen named Litigation Department Chair, Michele Tarantino named Real Estate & Environmental Department Chair
- Adds national Transportation, Supply Chain, & Logistics Practice with the addition of Shareholder Chris Merrick
- Mariel Giletto joins the firm as a shareholder
- Renovates Cherry Hill office
- Relocates Philadelphia office to 1717 Arch Street to accommodate growth
2020
- Forms new Patent Practice Group with the addition of Shareholders Ross Alexander, Michael Bonella, Joseph Klinicki, and Michael Piscitelli
- Patent Associates Aakash Patel, Ryan Peddle, and Ben Chalfin, as well as a team of paralegals and other patent professionals
- Expands Florida Insurance Coverage Practice with the addition of Shareholder Meghan Moore and Associate Nicole Josephy
- Bolsters PA Insurance Coverage Practice with the return of Shareholders Lee Epstein and John Koch
- Adds square footage to Conshohocken office to accommodate growth
2019
- Opens Jenkintown, PA office with addition of 13-member Plotnick & Ellis LLP in January including Shareholders Jon Ellis and Charles Plotnick and a team of six attorneys, paralegals, and administrative staff members
- Opens Conshohocken, PA office at One Tower Bridge in July
- Elevates Courtney Dolaway, Lauren Schwimmer, and Damien Tancredi to shareholders
2018
- Expands Footprint into South Florida with a Boca Raton Office
- Opens Princeton, NJ Office
- Appoints Steven Poulathas to chair of Business and Corporate Practice Group
- Expands tax and estate practice in NJ and FL with the addition of Shareholder David Neufeld
- Adds national Aviation Practice with the addition of Shareholder Daniel Markind
- Formalizes Pharmaceutical Industry Group
- Launches Cannabis Law Practice Group
- Courtney Dolaway and Lauren Schwimmer join the firm as associates
2017
- Elects Alan Zuckerman as Managing Shareholder, long-time prior managing shareholder concludes 17-year term
- Transitions from 3-person Executive Committee to an 11-person Board of Directors
- Shareholder Joseph Hayes joins Corporate and Tax Practice Groups
2016
- Elevates John Koch to shareholder
2015
- Names Marty Judge Environmental and Real Estate Department Chair; Franklin Riesenburger transitions out of role
- Adds Eric Clendening to Litigation Department as an associate
2014
- Opens Linwood / Northfield, NJ Office
- William Burnett named Bankruptcy Department Chair; Thomas Durling named IP Department Chair; Phil Kirchner named Litigation Department Chair; Franklin Riesenburger named Environmental and Real Estate Department Chair; Alan Zuckerman named Corporate and Tax Departments Chair
- Expands Real Estate Practice into Pennsylvania
- Formalizes Higher Education Practice
- Damien Tancredi joins Bankruptcy Department as an associate
2013
- Opens First New York office with addition of Fried & Epstein LLP, bolstering national insurance coverage practice
- Elevates Adam Gersh to shareholder
- John Koch joins as an associate
2012
- Installs two electric car charging stations in Cherry Hill location to take steps toward reducing carbon footprint
- Elevates Steven Poulathas to Shareholder
- Elects Jordan LaVine to Executive Committee
2011
- Renovates Cherry Hill, NJ office and dedicated RJF Conference Center in memory of Richard J. Flaster
- Expands Bankruptcy & Litigation Departments with addition of Shareholder Harry Giacometti
2010
- Richard J. Flaster, Founder and Name Partner of Flaster Greenberg PC, Passes Away at Age 67
- Forms Transition Committee to help shareholders transition their practices to younger attorneys
2009
- Expands Philadelphia office into Four Penn Center, with addition of Griffin & Vogler
- Shareholder Tami Bogutz Steinberg joins the firm
- Expands IP Practice with addition of Shareholder Thomas Durling
- Names Shareholder Marty Judge to the firm's Executive Committee
2008
- Steven Poulathas joins the firm as an associate in the Corporate/Tax, Mergers and Acquisitions, and Trust and Estate Practice Groups
- Mitchell Kizner named firm’s General Counsel
- Elects William J. Burnett to serve on Flaster Greenberg's Executive Committee
2007
- Opens Trenton, NJ Office
- Adds national Trademark Practice
- Expands Environmental Law Practice with addition of Shareholder Marty Judge
- Promotes Real Estate Attorney Michele Tarantino to shareholder
2006
- Opens first Pennsylvania Office in Philadelphia, PA at Ten Penn Center
- Shareholders Jordan LaVine and William Burnett join the firm
2005
- Shareholder Michele Tarantino joins the firm
2003
- Adam Gersh joins the firm as an associate
2002
- Opens Cherry Hill, NJ Conference Center
2001
- Shareholders Jeffrey Cohen and Douglas Stanger join the firm
2000
- Inception of Women’s Initiative led by Shareholder Alma Saravia
- Additions include Shareholders Frank Riesenburger, Mitchell Kizner, Robert Washburn
1999
- Name shortened to Flaster/Greenberg P.C.
- Shareholders Alma Saravia, Ken Goodkind and Frank Wisniewski join the firm
- Expands practice into healthcare law with the addition of Alma Saravia
1996
- Firm expands into land development, real estate, and family law
- Shareholder Steve Sacharow joins the firm as the first family law attorney
1995
- Office moves back to Cherry Hill, NJ with a new location at 1810 Chapel Ave West
1994
- Firm implements new firm governance and unique formula compensation system
1992
- Shareholders decide to move away from being a boutique tax firm and become a full-service commercial firm
- Shareholder Philip J. Kirchner joins the firm to serve as the firm's first litigator
1990
- Firm adds a corporate and securities law attorney and its 10th attorney
1988
- Shareholder Alan Zuckerman joins the firm
1986
- Firm expands office space and moves to Marlton, NJ
- Manny Liebman decides to return to being a solo practitioner
- Firm name changed to Flaster, Greenberg, Mann & Wallenstein
1985
- Shareholder Alan Fineberg joins the firm and is the seventh attorney in the practice.
1980
- Flaster & Liebman add fifth attorney, Shareholder Laura Wallenstein, the firm's first-ever woman shareholder
1978
- Flaster & Liebman add fourth attorney, Donald J. Mann
1976
- Stephen Greenberg joins the firm directly from Yale Law School
1972
- Richard J. Flaster joins Emmanuel Liebman to form Liebman & Flaster, P.C. in Cherry Hill, NJ, a tax boutique firm
