Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C. and Its Attorneys Recognized in Nine Categories in the New Jersey Law Journal’s 2026 New Jersey Legal Awards
Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C. is pleased to announce that the firm and its attorneys have been recognized in nine categories in the New Jersey Law Journal’s 2026 New Jersey Legal Awards.
Named Winner: Litigation Department of the Year – Appellate
The New Jersey Law Journal named Pashman Stein the winner of its “Litigation Department of the Year – Appellate” award. The firm has won this award eight times in the past nine years. (No firm received the award in 2023, when Pashman Stein was named winner of the “Law Firm of the Year” award). This award reflects the outstanding work of the firm’s Appellate Advocacy practice group on commercial cases and on pro bono and public interest matters through the Justice Gary S. Stein Public Interest Center.
Named Finalist in Six Award Categories
Pashman Stein and its attorneys have been named a finalist by the New Jersey Law Journal in six categories, the winners of which will be announced on October 29, 2026:
- Law Firm of the Year: For the fourth year in a row, the firm has been named a finalist for the “Law Firm of the Year” award. The firm was named the winner of the 2023 Law Firm of the Year award.
- Litigation Department of the Year – General: For the fourth year in a row, the firm’s Litigation Department has been named a finalist for the “Litigation Department of the Year – General” award.
- Dealmaker of the Year- Bankruptcy, Restructuring & Creditors’ Rights Practice: This is the Bankruptcy, Restructuring & Creditors’ Rights practice group’s second finalist recognition for the award since it was established in 2022. The group was previously named the winner of this category in the 2024 New Jersey Law Journal Legal Awards.
- Talent Management Initiative: In a groundbreaking initiative, Pashman Stein implemented a sabbatical program offering full-time employees—attorneys and support staff alike—the opportunity to take a fully paid, six‑week sabbatical every five years, complete with full benefits and billable‑hour credits.
- Attorney of the Year: CJ Griffin
- Outstanding Officiators: Hon. Ellen L. Koblitz, P.J.A.D. (Ret.)
Individual Named Winners
- New Leaders of the Bar Winner, Bankruptcy: Katherine Beilin
- Unsung Hero Award Winner: Dominique Kilmartin
“To be recognized by the New Jersey Law Journal in nine categories is especially meaningful because it reflects the outstanding work being done across the firm every day,” remarked Michael S. Stein, firm chair and managing partner. “To be named a finalist for the fourth consecutive year for both Law Firm of the Year and Litigation Department of the Year – General, while also earning Appellate Department recognition for nine years running, speaks to the caliber of our attorneys and staff and the results they achieve for our clients.”
The New Jersey Law Journal’s announcement of the awards can be found here. The winners will be announced and honorees recognized at the New Jersey Law Journal’s gala on October 29, 2026.
The New Jersey Legal Awards are published by the New Jersey Law Journal. A description of the selection methodology can be found here.
No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
