In Major Expansion of Litigation Practice, Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C. Welcomes Raymond M. Brown, Gregg Hilzer and Rachel Simon
Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C. (Pashman Stein) announced today a major expansion of its Litigation practice with the addition of partners Raymond M. Brown and Gregg H. Hilzer and associate Rachel E. Simon in the firm’s Hackensack office.
All three attorneys join Pashman Stein from Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC.
Pashman Stein’s acclaimed Litigation practice is comprised of industry leading attorneys and clients that have included Fortune 500 companies, members of the New Jersey judiciary, and professional athletes. Many of the firm’s litigators have been consistently ranked or recognized by leading legal industry publications and ratings guides such as Chambers USA and Best Lawyers.
Brown is a well-known and highly respected civil and criminal litigator with a long track record of success as well as many years working closely with Pashman Stein partners and criminal defense attorneys Joseph A. Hayden, Jr., Alan Silber, and Justin P. Walder, who also is co-chair of the firm’s Litigation practice.
“We are extremely excited and fortunate to be able to welcome Ray, Gregg, and Rachel to our team of litigators,” said Pashman Stein Managing Partner Michael S. Stein. “Ray already has an established connection to our firm through his work alongside Joe, Justin, and Alan. His trial and appellate expertise are a great addition to our team. Our strategic growth brings our roster to over 60 attorneys across our New Jersey and New York offices.”
Brown said, “It is an honor to join Pashman Stein and work together with Joe, Justin and Alan, as well as the entire team of accomplished litigators at the firm. Gregg, Rachel and I look forward to working with the firm on high-stakes matters and cases involving significant public policies.”
Raymond M. Brown
Brown focuses his practice in areas that include white collar criminal defense, international human rights compliance, internal investigations, and complex commercial litigation. His work has involved a broad range of criminal and civil matters on behalf of individuals, corporations, and government entities.
Recently, Brown represented U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez as defense co-counsel in a highly publicized public corruption and bribery case brought by the U.S. government, which ended in a hung jury, subsequent mistrial, and dismissal of charges against Sen. Menendez. Brown’s other high-profile cases have included the nine-month trial involving former U.S. Secretary of Labor Raymond J. Donovan and the successful eight-year defense of senior executives of a major multinational corporation charged with environmental violations.
Brown has conducted investigations in the United States, Kenya, El Salvador, the Cayman Islands, Switzerland, the Bahamas, Colombia and Sierra Leone. In addition, he counsels foreign and domestic multinationals on the intersection of human rights and business concerns as well as other corporate risk management, governance and transactional issues.
Brown received his J.D. from the University of California, Berkeley School of Law, and his B.A. from Columbia University.
Gregg H. Hilzer
Gregg H. Hilzer focuses his practice on cannabis law, white-collar criminal investigations, complex commercial litigation, state and federal regulatory inquiries and internal investigations. He was a member of the legal team along with partner Raymond M. Brown that successfully defended U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez in Federal District Court against unfounded allegations of public corruption and bribery brought by the federal government.
A growing area of Hilzer’s practice is devoted to advising clients in New Jersey’s medical marijuana and hemp industries. Hilzer has experience advising an existing medical marijuana operator as well as representing applicants poised to enter various aspects of the medical marijuana industry. In both the medical marijuana and hemp spaces, he provides multifaceted legal guidance to business entities and individuals focused on managing risk and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements.
A highly skilled litigator, he has successfully represented a wide range of clients in the state and federal courts of New Jersey and New York. He also has substantial experience representing clients before various regulators, including the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance, New Jersey Board of Medical Examiners and New Jersey Office of Attorney Ethics. His white-collar experience includes defending matters involving allegations of bank, tax and healthcare fraud; commercial bribery; and violations of the False Claim Act.
Hilzer received his J.D. from Penn State’s Dickinson School of Law and his Master of Laws (LL.M.) in Banking, Corporate and Finance Law, magna cum laude, from Fordham University School of Law. He also holds a B.A., cum laude, from Lehigh University.
Rachel E. Simon
A seasoned litigator, Rachel E. Simon concentrates her practice on complex litigation matters on behalf of individuals, businesses, and public entities, in both the public and private sectors. She has represented clients before every level of the Federal and State courts in New Jersey, including the United States Supreme Court and New Jersey Supreme Court. She serves as second trial chair to partner Raymond M. Brown. Prior to entering private practice, Rachel worked as an assistant prosecutor in Bloomfield Township Municipal Court.
Simon is Co-Founder and Volunteer Associate Director of the Leadership Fellows Program, Seton Hall University School of Law, which provides pro bono services.
Simon received her J.D., cum laude, from Seton Hall School of Law and her B.M. degree, cum laude, from The Juilliard School. Prior to her legal career, Simon was a professional trumpet player based in New York City.
Our firm is proud of the results it has achieved for clients, some of which are noted here. Of course, each legal matter is unique on many levels, and past successes are not a guarantee of results in any other pending or future matters.