Scarinci Hollenbeck's Power Play Reshapes NJ's Legal Landscape

LITTLE FALLS, NJ – June 03, 2026 – In a move that reverberates through New Jersey's competitive legal sector, Scarinci Hollenbeck has announced the addition of highly respected attorney Mark A. Tabakin and his entire six-attorney team. The strategic acquisition is more than a simple expansion; it represents a significant consolidation of talent and a bold declaration of the firm's intent to dominate key practice areas, including public law, labor and employment, and complex litigation across the state.

The arrival of the seven-person group, which includes new partners Wendy Rubinstein Quiroga and Sean M. Pena, marks a pivotal moment in Scarinci Hollenbeck's deliberate execution of what it calls its 'statewide vision.' This vision aims to create a comprehensive, full-service legal powerhouse capable of serving New Jersey’s most vital public and private institutions with unparalleled depth.

A Formidable Infusion of Talent

At the center of this strategic maneuver is Mark A. Tabakin, an attorney whose career spans more than three decades and is deeply woven into the fabric of New Jersey's legal and institutional framework. Tabakin has built a formidable reputation advising the businesses, municipalities, and school boards that form the state's backbone. His practice is noted for its versatility, moving seamlessly from high-stakes corporate labor negotiations to advising public entities on governance and regulatory compliance. His extensive experience as a chief negotiator, general counsel, and special counsel for numerous public bodies has made him a go-to advisor for leaders navigating the complexities of New Jersey law.

"Mark Tabakin is one of the most respected attorneys in New Jersey, full stop," said Donald Scarinci, the firm's Managing Partner. "He has led a firm. He has counseled the businesses, school boards, municipalities, and authorities that hold this state together. And he understands what those clients need because he has carried that same responsibility himself. Bringing Mark and his team into Scarinci Hollenbeck is a defining moment in our vision of a statewide practice rooted in trusted, business-minded counsel."

Joining Tabakin is a handpicked team whose collective expertise dramatically enhances the firm’s service offerings. Partner Wendy Rubinstein Quiroga brings critical strength in public law, environmental regulations, and land use, with a notable background in complex Affordable Housing (Mount Laurel) litigation and representing major state authorities. Partner Sean M. Pena fortifies the firm's litigation practice, specializing in commercial disputes and public entity defense, representing municipalities and school boards against claims under the New Jersey Tort Claims Act and federal civil rights statutes.

The team is rounded out by a roster of seasoned specialists: Counsel Joseph F. Ranieri, an expert in redevelopment, tax appeals, and public housing; Senior Associate Deanna M. Digori, who deepens the bench in labor, employment, and education law; and Associates Nicholas R. Wall and Jessica Cunha, who bring focused experience in municipal litigation, land use, and education law, respectively. The synergy of this team, which has worked together for years, provides an immediate, integrated boost to the firm’s capabilities.

Executing a Statewide Vision

The acquisition of Tabakin's team is not an isolated event but the latest and most significant move in a period of calculated growth for Scarinci Hollenbeck. The firm's 'statewide vision' appears to be a multi-pronged strategy focused on attracting top-tier talent to build out a practice that can serve any major public or private entity anywhere in New Jersey. With established offices in Little Falls and Red Bank, the firm has been methodically adding pieces to its chessboard.

Earlier this year, the firm welcomed four new attorneys, including two partners, to bolster its business law, bankruptcy, and real estate practices. More recently, it added Dorian J. Smith, a former Senior Counsel from the Office of Governor Phil Murphy, to its Public Law and Labor & Employment groups. This pattern of strategic hires demonstrates a clear focus on deepening expertise in areas critical to New Jersey's economy and governance. By launching a 2026 Summer Associate Program, the firm is also investing in its future talent pipeline, ensuring its growth is sustainable.

Tabakin himself pointed to this clear strategic alignment as the primary driver for his move. "Donald Scarinci and I share a vision for what a statewide practice should look like, one that serves private businesses and public entities with the same depth across New Jersey," Tabakin stated. "That vision, and the platform Scarinci Hollenbeck has built to deliver it, is what drew me here. I leave a firm I respect deeply, and I bring with me a team I have trusted for years, to help build what comes next."

Redrawing the Competitive Map

The immediate impact of this expansion will be felt most acutely by clients and competing firms in the public sector. With Tabakin's team now integrated, Scarinci Hollenbeck possesses an powerhouse public law practice. The firm is now better positioned than ever to compete for and win engagements as general counsel, labor counsel, and special counsel for municipalities, county authorities, and school boards across the state.

The enhanced capabilities directly address some of New Jersey’s most pressing and complex legal fields. In education law, the combined experience of Tabakin, Digori, and Cunha offers school districts comprehensive counsel on everything from labor negotiations with teachers' unions to navigating matters before the School Ethics Commission. In land use and redevelopment, the expertise of Quiroga, Ranieri, and Wall provides a significant advantage for developers and municipalities tackling projects involving zoning, environmental permitting, and affordable housing obligations.

For private sector clients, the strengthened Labor & Employment practice offers sophisticated counsel on workforce management, collective bargaining, and litigation defense before state and federal agencies like the EEOC and NLRB. The addition of a robust public entity defense team under Pena also provides a critical service for insurance carriers and private entities that contract with or face litigation involving government bodies. This move effectively transforms Scarinci Hollenbeck into a one-stop shop for organizations that operate at the intersection of public and private interests, a common feature of the New Jersey business environment.