Overview

Norris McLaughlin has provided high-quality legal services to the business community since 1953. Our clients range from multinational corporations and Fortune 500 companies to small businesses and start-up enterprises.

We have become one of the most respected law firms in New Jersey, earning the highest rating given to law firms by Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory for both the quality of our legal services and our professional reliability and ethical standards. Our attorneys, many of whom are listed in The Best Lawyers in America, strive to offer cost-effective solutions to business problems.

Our firm is headquartered in central New Jersey, close to many of the corporate headquarters located in suburban New Jersey. We also have an office in mid-town Manhattan, and Allentown, Pennsylvania.

Norris McLaughlin is a member of Meritas (182 firms in 89 countries) which is an affiliation of select independent law firms located in the United States and throughout the world. Our membership in Meritas provides our clients with immediate access to high-quality legal services in other jurisdictions.
Founded:
1953
Size:
115
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Practice Areas:
62
Person outline with Best Lawyers logo
Best Lawyers Recognized:
15

Rankings

Regional

Allentown

Tier
2
Allentown
Litigation - Labor and Employment
Tier
2
Allentown
Workers' Compensation Law - Employers

New Jersey

Tier
1
New Jersey
Banking and Finance Law
Tier
1
New Jersey
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
New Jersey
Energy Law
Tier
1
New Jersey
Environmental Law

Highlighted Client Comments

These featured testimonials reflect a sampling of client experiences. As every legal matter is unique—comments are personal opinions, not guarantees of future results.
Environmental Law
The work that Norris McLaughlin has been doing for us is diminishing, but it is still very high quality.
Mitch Gertz
Solvay Solexis, Inc.
Corporate Law
I have worked with Norris McLaughlin, P.A. for many years and have never been disappointed. John Vanarthos and his team are extremely skilled, reliable and effective.
 
Banking and Finance Law
Norris McLaughlin, P.A. is efficient and responsive and understands the business side of the transaction as well as the legal aspects of the case. They staff leanly and are cost-efficient. In my view, they have the best environmental attorney on staff in the state of NJ.
 
Environmental Law
While I was inside V.P., General Counsel for Kenrich Petrochemicals, Inc., I interviewed and selected Norris McLaughlin, P.A. attorney Edward Hogan, Esq. over many candidates to be the company's outside environmental counsel. He came highly recommended. Mr. Hogan continues to work for the company as outside environmental counsel and provides excellent work product.
 
Real Estate Law
Joel Jacobson of Norris McLaughlin, P.A. is an amazing attorney. He carefully sought to understand my specific needs and requirements, and he significantly helped to fine-tune my deal in order to ensure that I would be properly protected throughout the term of the deal. Jacobson is the consummate professional, giving insight and knowledge while providing excellent legal documents that are tightly constructed that met and exceeded my expectations.
 
Litigation - Labor and Employment
Rutgers Office of General Counsel has retained the services of Norris McLaughlin, P.A. for decades and is exceptionally pleased with the services we receive. The Norris firm understands the workings of our institution, is entirely attentive to the matters that we present to them, and brings excellent analysis and legal advice to every matter. We retain the Norris firm for many complex matters and find that the firm handles these matters with great sophistication.
 
Commercial Litigation
I truly value the service and dedication that Jerry Gallagher and the team at Norris McLaughlin, P.A. put into our case. Their expertise and responsiveness to our questions and concerns during our appeal defense made it abundantly clear we made the right choice.
Rob Connolly
BC Compliance Group
Corporate Law
We feel very comfortable with our relationship to Norris McLaughlin, P.A. Our requests often concern International Law and are usually not of a basic level. Nevertheless, advice is given readily and quickly, with focus on the substance, which is substantial for foreign customers like us with limited qualification in American and Federal Law. The advisors at Norris McLaughlin, P.A. are always a pleasure to work with. John Vanarthos has built a very professional team of lawyers.
 
Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
Our company reached out to Steven Karg at Norris McLaughlin, P.A. in 2011 and we have been working with them ever since. Steve Karg is a pleasure to work with. His demeanor is such that you feel confident that he will handle whatever the situation is in the utmost professional and timely way and he never disappoints. Steve has also referred us to other lawyers within the firm that have been equally professional and pleasant to work with, including one in PA and in the NY office.
Melissa Windish
Fairway Green

Rankings

Regional

Allentown

Tier
2
Allentown
Litigation - Labor and Employment
Tier
2
Allentown
Workers' Compensation Law - Employers

New Jersey

Tier
1
New Jersey
Banking and Finance Law
Tier
1
New Jersey
Commercial Litigation
Tier
1
New Jersey
Energy Law
Tier
1
New Jersey
Environmental Law
Tier
1
New Jersey
Litigation - Environmental
Tier
1
New Jersey
Trusts and Estates
Tier
2
New Jersey
Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
Tier
2
New Jersey
Corporate Law
Tier
2
New Jersey
Litigation - Bankruptcy
Tier
3
New Jersey
Mergers and Acquisitions Law
Tier
3
New Jersey
Securities / Capital Markets Law
Tier
3
New Jersey
Securities Regulation

Practice Areas

Norris McLaughlin PA has been ranked by Best Law Firms for excellence in 14 specialties, reflecting the firm's commitment to delivering outstanding legal services.
Additionally, the firm provides services in these practice areas:
  • Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • Antitrust Law
  • Appellate Practice
  • Banking and Finance Law
  • Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law
  • Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice
  • Business Organizations (including LLCs and Partnerships)
  • Cannabis Law
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Communications Law
  • Construction Law
  • Copyright Law
  • Corporate Law
  • Creditors' Rights
  • Criminal Defense: White-Collar
  • Economic Development Law
  • Elder Law
  • Electronic Discovery and Information Management Law
  • Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law
  • Employment Law - Management
  • Energy Law
  • Environmental
  • Environmental Law
  • Food and Beverage Law
  • Franchise Law
  • Health Care Law
  • Immigration Law
  • Insurance Law
  • Intellectual Property Law
  • Land Use and Zoning Law
  • Life Sciences Practice
  • Litigation
  • Litigation - Banking and Finance
  • Litigation - Bankruptcy
  • Litigation - Construction
  • Litigation - Environmental
  • Litigation - ERISA
  • Litigation - Labor and Employment
  • Litigation - Patent
  • Media Law
  • Mediation
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Mergers and Acquisitions Law
  • Municipal Law
  • Natural Resources Law
  • Nonprofit / Charities Law
  • Patent Law
  • Product Liability Litigation - Defendants
  • Public Utility
  • Real Estate
  • Real Estate Law
  • Securities
  • Securities / Capital Markets Law
  • Securities Regulation
  • Tax Law
  • Technology Law
  • Telecommunications
  • Trademark Law
  • Trusts and Estates
  • Utilities Law
  • Venture Capital Law
  • Workers' Compensation Law - Employers

Individuals Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America®

Norris McLaughlin PA proudly has 15 lawyers recognized for their outstanding professional performance in the 2025 edition of The Best Lawyers in America®. This peer-reviewed honor highlights individual excellence and directly qualifies the firm for consideration in the prestigious Best Law Firms rankings. For over four decades, Best Lawyers has been the gold standard for recognizing top legal talent, serving as the cornerstone for Best Law Firms awards. Learn more about our rigorous Best Lawyers research and selection process.
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Client Comments

A strong relationship between a client and their law firm is key to achieving the best possible outcomes. Open communication, trust, and collaboration ensure that attorneys understand each client’s unique goals and needs. Choosing the right firm means finding a team with the experience, knowledge, and dedication to guide you through every stage of the legal process.
Client comments reflect personal opinions and individual experiences. Every case is different, and outcomes depend on specific facts and circumstances. Past results and testimonials do not guarantee similar outcomes in future matters. For personalized legal advice, consult directly with an experienced attorney who can evaluate your specific situation and provide tailored guidance.
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Awards

Norris McLaughlin PA is honored to be recognized for excellence by Best Law Firms and other leading legal industry organizations. Our rankings and awards reflect the dedication, skill, and results our attorneys deliver across a wide range of practice areas. In addition to our Best Law Firms awards, Norris McLaughlin PA has earned accolades from respected national and regional publications for outstanding legal service and professional achievement. Explore our awards below to learn more about how Norris McLaughlin PA continues to set the standard for quality legal representation.
Best Places to Work in NJ
Best Places to Work in NJ
Best Places to Work in NJ
Best Places to Work in NJ
Best Places to Work in NJ
New Jersey's Top Law Firms
Best Places to Work in NJ
Best Places to Work in NJ

Offices & Contacts

Bridgewater, NJ
400 Crossing Boulevard, Eighth Floor
P.O. Box 5933
Bridgewater, NJ 08807-5933
United States
New York, NY
Antitrust/Trade Regulation; Telecommunications
Banking & Financial Services
E-Commerce & Information Technology
Estate Planning & Administration
Products Liability Defense
Products Liability Defense
Real Estate & Land Use
Taxation; International Business and Tax Planning; Business Law
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