Deanna L. Koestel Named to the 2027 Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year" List for Second Consecutive Year in the Hackensack Region
Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C. is proud to announce that Deanna L. Koestel has been recognized as Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year" for Construction Litigation in the Hackensack Region in the 2027 edition of The Best Lawyers in America® — her second consecutive Lawyer of the Year list distinction.
The honor follows Koestel's 2026 recognition as Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year" for Construction Law in the Hackensack Region. According to Best Lawyers®, only one attorney in each practice area and metropolitan region receives the annual designation based on the highest overall peer feedback.
About Deanna L. Koestel
Deanna L. Koestel is the chair of Pashman Stein’s Construction Law practice, a partner in the Commercial Litigation practice, and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. For more than two decades, she has guided clients in the construction and real estate industries through high-stakes disputes and complex negotiations. Her work spans all phases of the construction process, from contract drafting to resolving litigation on behalf of property and business owners, contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and manufacturers. Her litigation practice covers breach of contract, warranty actions, building supply defects, and professional liability disputes. Known for combining deep legal knowledge with practical business insight, Koestel helps clients mitigate risks before disputes arise, often during contract drafting and pre-litigation negotiations.
In addition to her construction law work, Koestel represents businesses in complex commercial disputes, including partnership and shareholder matters, business torts, non-competition and non-solicitation actions, breach of contract actions, fraud and consumer fraud actions, and breach of fiduciary duty claims. She frequently serves as outside general counsel, advising on business planning, risk management, and efficient dispute resolution. Her familiarity with New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania courts enables her to act as local counsel for out-of-state firms and their clients.
Koestel is a respected leader within the legal profession and a strong advocate for women in the profession. She serves as North American Chair for the Women of Interlaw Network and as Global Chair of Interlaw’s Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Affinity Group. Within Pashman Stein, she serves on the Women’s Leadership Committee and co-chairs the firm’s Wellness & Sustainability Initiative.
Beyond her legal accomplishments, Koestel is active in several nonprofit organizations. She is a board member of Girls on the Run NYC, where she previously served as Board President, and was a founding board member of Girls on the Run of Central New Jersey. Koestel is also a member of the Rotary Club of New Paltz.
The Best Lawyers in America, Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch® in America, and Best Lawyers® "Lawyer of the Year" are issued by BL Rankings, LLC. A description of the selection methodology can be found at: https://www.bestlawyers.com/About/MethodologyBasic.aspx
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