Riker Danzig is pleased to announce several new leadership roles within the Firm.
Anthony J. (“A.J.”) Borrelli has been appointed Firm Co-Chair, to serve alongside current Co-Chair Kelly Strange Crawford. A.J., who has been a member of Riker Danzig’s Executive Committee since 2021, succeeds Brian E. O’Donnell, who has stepped down after sharing the Co-Chair role with Kelly since 2018. Brian will continue to serve as a member of the Firm’s Executive Committee, which is Riker’s primary strategic and governing body, and as Chair of the Firm’s highly-regarded Insurance & Reinsurance practice, in which he manages complex commercial matters, including high-stakes reinsurance and insurance coverage disputes and class action products liability lawsuits.
In addition to his appointment as Co-Chair of the Firm, A.J. is Chair of Riker Danzig’s Securities Litigation, Arbitration, Regulation, and Investigations Practice, one of the Firm’s most significant practice areas. A.J. leads attorneys in the Firm’s New Jersey and New York offices in representation of global financial institutions, investment banks, and securities brokerage firms in business litigation matters including defending against all manner of investment-related claims asserted by retail and institutional customers, litigating a broad range of employment matters unique to the securities industry, defending against actions and investigations brought by state and federal regulators, and conducting privileged and commercially sensitive internal investigations. He joined Riker Danzig in 2000 after working as a summer associate at the Firm. He was named a “New Leader of the Bar” by the New Jersey Law Journal in 2012, a “New Jersey Trailblazer” by the New Jersey Law Journal in 2020, and is ranked in Band One for Securities Litigation by Chambers USA in its 2024 list. A.J. earned his law degree from Fordham University School of Law in 2000, and his B.A. from Boston College in 1997.
Kelly stated, “A.J. is an extremely accomplished lawyer who leads a sophisticated, multi-faceted securities practice, and he is deeply committed to upholding our values and core principles of excellent legal advocacy, dedication to our clients, and Riker’s collaborative culture. He has already been a critical part of the firm’s leadership and overall growth for some time as a key member of our Executive Committee, and I look forward to working with him in this enhanced role.”
A.J. said, “The thing that first drew me to the Firm is the same thing that has continued on and drives my commitment to the Firm – our culture. Our culture fosters collegiality, thrives on team work, breeds creativity, and leads to innovation, all of which has created an inspiring and dynamic workplace. I am honored and excited to play a bigger role in building on this terrific foundation, which includes our move to the prestigious Giralda Farms in Madison this summer. I look forward to continuing to work with our Executive Committee, our Managing Partner Mike O’Mullan, and all of our attorneys and staff in serving our clients’ needs and goals with the highest quality legal services.”
In addition, Joseph L. Schwartz has joined the Firm’s Executive Committee. Joe, who joined the firm in 1994, is Chair of the Firm’s nationally-recognized Bankruptcy & Corporate Restructuring Practice. He is the immediate past President and current Chairman of the New Jersey Turnaround Management Association. He is also a subchapter V trustee in New Jersey bankruptcy cases. Among other things, Joe serves on the Corporate Advisory Council for Homeless Solutions, which provides shelter and services to Morris County residents in need.
The Firm has also expanded the roles of current leaders in some of its key administrative areas:
Former Acting Director of Information Technology Mohamed Brahim has been named Director of Information Technology.
Former Director of Practice Development Richelle J. Delavan has been named Chief Marketing Officer.
Former Chief Human Resources Officer Alison Feldman Walsh has been named Chief Operating Officer.
Of the enhanced administrative roles, Firm Managing Partner Michael P. O’Mullan said, “We are pleased to acknowledge the significant contributions of Mohamed, Richelle and Alison in their respective areas, which play a pivotal part in the Firm’s success. Riker Danzig operates very much with a team mentality, and they are key parts of that team who we wanted to recognize with titles appropriate to their roles.”
See Awards and Honors Methodology.
No aspect of this announcement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
