The Importance of Law Specializations

New Jersey attorneys weigh in on the value of experience and expertise in specific areas of the law, especially in trending legal areas.

By Irene Maslowski, Contributing Writer On Jul 5, 2024

At one time, the practice of law was defined as generalized with some nuanced sectors, such as criminal or malpractice. Today, it has become common for firms to develop a reputation for expertise in areas that are specific to practice areas, which are divisions of legal work by types of law, and sectors that cater to divisions of legal work by types of client or industry.

Thus, specialization of a practice has grown particularly as the legal market has become more competitive, driving firms to tailor their offerings more closely to their client base. While becoming specialized may be challenging, requiring commitment and strong leadership, it can be valuable for both a firm and its clients. 

“Specialization matters now more than ever,” comments Peter Torcicollo, managing director of Gibbons Law, in Newark and Trenton. “As the world continues to change, so does the climate of business, commerce, and industry, thus the need for experienced lawyers who have expertise in a particular practice area.”

Standard legal practices are still in demand, according to Torcicollo, as mergers and acquisitions continue to be strong, demand in the bankruptcy area has increased significantly, and real estate has begun to resurge again as construction loans are on the rise.

In New Jersey, there are certain industries requiring specialization such as environmental law, which has experienced strong growth due to clean ups in locations such as the Passaic River watershed and other superfund locations. The state is also home to a vast number of pharmaceutical and medical technology companies requiring legal services related to their drugs and medical devices, including in the areas of products liability litigation and intellectual property.

“New Jersey is also geographically situated in a prime location,” Torcicollo continues. At Gibbons, our practices extend beyond the metropolitan area. The firm handles legal affairs for companies on the West Coast, the southern states, and even in Europe and Asia, where our lawyers serve international clients who have business interests in the US.” 

“In order to be competitive, specialization will continue to be of importance for today’s law firm practitioners. While clients want to be assured that attorneys may know the law in a particular sector – more importantly – they want to know that their lawyers have actually practiced in those areas.”

William Stroever, chair of the Intellectual Property Department of Cole Schotz in Hackensack, also sees similarities in the demand for law practices such as bankruptcy, real estate, and environment, but notes there is also a growing demand for other specializations on the horizon.

“While these standard practices will likely never go away, niche specialties are materializing rapidly due to changes in the laws and the effect technology has on business,” Stroever notes. “Intellectual property cases are growing at an almost alarming pace as the legal profession seeks to determine how old laws now fit into this new paradigm of who actually owns the property rights of an invention or creation. Additionally, as the ability for duplication becomes more accessible … it can become even more complex.”

Stroever notes there are other industries that are emerging and will require specialization including artificial intelligence (AI), which also falls under copyright protection – and the cannabis industry, where new laws will determine who is eligible to open a business and sell cannabis, which requires specialized licensing. 

“These legal situations illustrate why specialization is of importance. A law firm that has experience in certain areas will not only know the law, but will have the expertise to resolve cases more quickly based on experience, which may mitigate time and expense to the client. It’s not dissimilar to having a leaking pipe in the wall – we know the leak exists, but only the plumber really knows what is behind the wall causing the problem – and how to solve it.” 

“There’s not much vacant, developable land in New Jersey, yet there is a need for housing,” comments Andrew S. Kohut, partner at Wells, Jaworski, and Liebman, LLP, in Paramus. “This leaves an opportunity for a great deal of redevelopment, which is not always an easy task to accomplish. Zoning laws and other regulations, issues with tax incentives, and appeals can be very complex.” 

 According to Kohut, proposing new development can be like walking on a tightrope. “The most important aspect to achieve successful land use approvals, such as a redevelopment project, is to have a mutually beneficial working relationship between the municipality and the developer in order to create a vision through a redevelopment plan, with experienced legal counsel who can advise. All of this takes time along with a great deal of knowledge.”

While larger, single-family developments are not as feasible, multi-residential and multi-use developments are. Developers seek to build in areas that are close to mass transit, particularly in close proximity to New York City and other metropolitan areas. There is also a push for warehouse development, as companies such as Amazon and similar online shopping entities seek to have access to facilities that are close to major roadways such as the New Jersey Turnpike, Garden State Parkway and Interstate 95.

Specialization can be beneficial for clients since they need assurance that their law firm possesses both the knowledge and expertise so that their case will be conducted in a timely and efficient manner. It can also be beneficial for the firm, as having a niche attracts a certain type of client and helps to support the recruitment of top talent. 

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