Category: News on the Homepage

Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP, a premier law firm, and Long Island Metro Business Action (LIMBA), the longstanding catalyst for transportation and economic improvement on Long Island, are pleased to announce that they have joined forces for 2017 to promote the needs of Long Island and expand their reach in the community. As major corporate sponsor of LIMBA, CMM will co-host six LIMBA meetings in the new year. These joint meetings will feature an updated format in which CMM Managing Partner Joe Campolo will interview representatives from various levels of government, municipal agencies, and the local economy on issues of importance to Long Islanders. The first joint meeting will feature U.S. Congressman Lee Zeldin on Friday, March 3, 2017 at the Courtyard Marriott, 5000 Express Drive South in Ronkonkoma, at 8:00 a.m.

LIMBA officers and hosts Ernie Fazio and Bill Miller also announced the expansion of LIMBA’s Board of Directors to include representatives from various segments of the community including the nonprofit, legal, banking, transportation, hospitality, education, healthcare, and environmental sectors, among others.  This added input will help LIMBA create diverse and relevant programming.

“LIMBA has been a part of the Long Island landscape for generations because it has never lost focus on the issues that are critically important to our community,” Campolo said.  “We’re excited to join forces with LIMBA to bring engaging and dynamic leaders to an expanded audience.”

Fazio added, “Having two great brands working in concert to promote the needs of Long Island is a major win for the community.  We’re looking forward to using the influence of both organizations to reach more Long Island businesses.”

About CMM
Located in both the heart of Long Island and on the East End, Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP is Suffolk County’s premier law firm. Over the past generation, CMM attorneys have played a central role in the most critical legal issues and transactions affecting Long Island. The firm has earned the prestigious HIA-LI Business Achievement Award and LIBN Corporate Citizenship Award, a spot on the U.S. News & World Report list of Best Law Firms, and the coveted title of Best Law Firm on Long Island. Learn more at www.cmmllp.com.

About LIMBA
Founded in 1968 by Paul Townsend, editor and founder of Long Island Business News, Long Island Metro Business Action (LIMBA) has long served as Long Island’s catalyst for transportation and economic improvement, sponsoring breakfast forums featuring Long Island business activists and government officials, as well as providing leadership in advancing new projects.  Ernie Fazio serves as Chairman.  Learn more at www.limba.net.

Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP is pleased to announce that Joe Campolo has been named to the national Board of Directors of the Tourette Association of America (“TAA”), the premier national non-profit organization serving the Tourette Syndrome and Tic Disorder community.  Founded in 1972, TAA is dedicated to making life better for all individuals affected by Tourette and Tic Disorders.  TAA works to raise awareness, advance research and provide on-going support.  To that end, TAA directs a network of 32 chapters and support groups across the country.

“On behalf of the Tourette Association of America, welcome to the team,” John Miller, TAA President and CEO, said of Campolo’s appointment.  “We are grateful to have you as one of the top leaders in the United States!”

“I’m proud and humbled to be part of this important organization,” Campolo said.   “I look forward to furthering the Tourette Association’s mission to increase awareness and put a stop to bullying.”

Voted Best Lawyer on Long Island by the business community, Campolo serves as the Managing Partner of CMM.  Under his leadership, the firm has grown from two lawyers to a robust and highly respected team of over 30 lawyers servicing clients in a wide range of legal practice areas.  Headquartered in Ronkonkoma, the firm also serves the East End from its Bridgehampton office, and continues to grow.

Campolo dedicates his time to a variety of philanthropic causes, including serving on the board of directors of the American Red Cross on Long Island, the Hauppauge Industrial Association of Long Island (HIA-LI), and the Long Island High Technology Incubator (LIHTI).  An avid supporter of the arts, Campolo also serves on the advisory board of the Staller Center for the Arts at Stony Brook University and the board of directors of East End Arts.  He is also a member of the Energeia Partnership, Class of 2016.  Prior to starting the firm, Campolo served honorably in the United States Marine Corps.

About CMM
Located in both the heart of Long Island and on the East End, Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP is Suffolk County’s premier law firm. Over the past generation, CMM attorneys have played a central role in the most critical legal issues and transactions affecting Long Island. The firm has earned the prestigious HIA-LI Business Achievement Award and LIBN Corporate Citizenship Award, a spot on the U.S. News & World Report list of Best Law Firms, and the coveted title of Best Law Firm on Long Island.

About the Tourette Association of America
Founded in 1972, the Tourette Association of America is dedicated to making life better for all individuals affected by Tourette and Tic Disorders.  The premier nationwide organization serving this community, the Association works to raise awareness, advance research, and provide on-going support.  The Tourette Association directs a network of 32 chapters and support groups across the country.

Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP is pleased to announce that Steve Levy and Arthur Yermash have been selected by the Long Island Business News to receive 2016 Leadership in Law Awards.  The awards recognize individuals whose leadership has had a positive impact on the legal profession and the Long Island community.  The honorees will be celebrated at a gala dinner on Thursday, November 17 at 6:30 p.m. at Crest Hollow Country Club in Woodbury.

Steve Levy will receive an award in the Counsel category.  After serving as County Executive of Suffolk County—New York State’s largest suburban county, with a population of 1.5 million, a workforce of over 10,000 employees, and a budget of $2.7 billion—Levy joined CMM in an Of Counsel role to focus on municipal, government relations, and real estate development work.  He puts the lessons he learned in his role as Suffolk County’s CEO to work for his clients, drawing from his own leadership experience to counsel clients on myriad business-related matters.

Arthur Yermash will receive an award in the Associate category.  A Senior Associate at the firm, Yermash has a unique depth of experience in a variety of complex legal issues.  He advises clients on compliance with federal, state, and local laws affecting the workplace and is often involved in drafting and negotiating employment-related documents such as employment agreements as well as non-competition, non-disclosure, severance, and option agreements.  His practice also includes the representation of employers in wage and hour disputes, as well as defending against investigations by regulatory and government agencies.  In addition to his extensive employment practice, Yermash has drafted and negotiated hundreds of contracts for various corporate matters.

For additional information or to purchase tickets, please visit http://libn.com/2016/08/04/183791/.

Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP proudly announces that Girls Inc. of Long Island will honor CMM partner Christine Malafi with a Butterfly Award at the fifth annual awards gala on November 3, 2016.  The event recognizes the exceptional contributions of individuals who exemplify Girls Inc.’s mission to help girls be strong, smart, and bold.  The fundraising event will feature an evening of cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, seated dinner, and dancing to honor industry leaders who inspire girls to spread their wings.  The event will take place at Crest Hollow Country Club at 6:30 p.m.

Malafi was selected for a Butterfly Award for her work on behalf of children and families on Long Island, as well as her dedication to helping girls fulfill their potential.  She is a longtime Girls Inc. volunteer and serves on the Board of the Girl Scouts of Suffolk County.

Malafi chairs the Corporate department at CMM, focusing on mergers and acquisitions, corporate governance, routine and complex transactions and insurance coverage matters.  Malafi was also the first woman and youngest person ever appointed to the position of Suffolk County Attorney, where for eight years she focused on obtaining jury verdicts in favor of the County, enforcing anti-discrimination laws, and protecting children from harm.

Girls Inc. serves girls ages five to 18 in schools and community-based organizations across Long Island.  Annually, the organization provides over 400 girls with life-changing programs, workshops, conferences, and opportunities to learn and grow together.

To register, please visit the registration page.

Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP represented Long Island’s Bissett Nursery Corp. and Bissett Equipment Corp., leaders in the distribution of nursery and landscape supplies as well as equipment sales, rentals, and repairs to landscape professionals, in their acquisition by SiteOne™ Landscape Supply, LLC, a Georgia-based, publicly traded distributor of wholesale irrigation, landscape lighting, nursery, hardscapes, maintenance products, and supplies.  Christine Malafi led the CMM team, which also included Alan Weinberg, Arthur Yermash, and Vincent Costa.  Ronkonkoma-based Protegrity Advisors served as the exclusive selling agent for Bissett, with a team led by Bruce Newman, Protegrity’s president.  The terms of the sale are confidential.

With locations in Holtsville and Dix Hills, Bissett is a 53-year-old family business that has grown into an industry leader over three generations.  SiteOne plans to maintain the Long Island locations, which combined cover nearly 50 acres of land.  SiteOne changed its name from John Deere Landscapes when the company went public in May 2016.  Additional information can be accessed at https://www.siteone.com/home/news-events/we-have-joined-forces-with-bissett.aspx.

Since 2010, Campolo, Middleton & McCormick has been involved in M&A transactions valued at more than $2 billion.  The firm has a depth of experience in structuring M&A transactions on both the buy-side and sell-side across a variety of industries, including healthcare, technology, real estate, and retail.  Its M&A client roster includes companies of all sizes, from worldwide conglomerates to closely-held Long Island businesses.

Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP represented Reilly Windows & Doors of Calverton, New York, a premier producer of high quality windows, doors, screens, shutters, millwork, and cabinetry, in its acquisition by Pella Corporation, a major designer and manufacturer of made-to-order and custom windows and doors.  The CMM team included Joe Campolo and Vincent Costa.  The terms of the sale will not be disclosed publicly.

In a deal effective August 1, 2016, Reilly Windows & Doors will remain under the leadership of Michael Reilly, who founded the company in 1981 in a rented chicken coop and has since grown it to over 180 employees operating out of a 192,000 square foot manufacturing facility in Calverton.  These employees will join the more than 7,500 Pella team members that build windows and doors throughout the United States.  Over time, Reilly Windows & Doors will be integrated into the Pella Crafted Luxury collection, a product and services collection serving the luxury home market.  Additional information about the deal can be found at http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20160727006503/en/Pella%C2%AE-Corporation-Acquires-Reilly-Windows-Doors-Calverton.

Since 2010, Campolo, Middleton & McCormick has been involved in M&A transactions valued at more than $2 billion.  The firm has a depth of experience in structuring M&A transactions on both the buy-side and sell-side across a variety of industries, including healthcare, technology, real estate, and retail.  Its M&A client roster includes companies of all sizes, from worldwide conglomerates to closely-held Long Island businesses.

The American Red Cross on Long Island honored members of the local American Ex-Prisoners of War chapter on June 9, 2016 at the Red and White Dinner Dance, the annual fundraiser for Long Island branch of the 135-year-old nonprofit.  In a special recognition ceremony, the Red Cross paid tribute to Joe Abbondondelo, Ben Chrzanoski, Steve Kirtyan, Joseph Manoni, and Bernie Rader, who valiantly served their country in World War II and were held captive in Europe until 1944 and 1945 under unimaginable conditions.  Stanley Kosierowski, who passed away on March 22, 2016 shortly after being awarded the prestigious POW medal, was also recognized.  Joe Campolo, Red Cross board member and managing partner of Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP, Suffolk County’s premier law firm, was honored to present medals to these American heroes at the event.

Members of the “greatest generation,” many of these former POWs credit the rations they received from the American Red Cross with helping to save their lives.  The ceremony was a tribute to the original line of service on which the Red Cross was founded in 1881.  For more than 130 years, the Red Cross has been a steadfast supporter of the military and their families.  Today, through its Service to the Armed Forces program, the Red Cross serves as a communication link to deployed military members, provides pre- and post-deployment support, and works with veterans in an ever-changing and demanding environment.

Campolo was selected to present the tribute medals to the ex-POWs in recognition of his work as a board member of the American Red Cross on Long Island.  Prior to starting Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, he served honorably in the U.S. Marine Corps.

At the ceremony, Campolo said that he was “humbled to help recognize a group of American heroes.  Each of these servicemen valiantly protected the liberties and freedoms we hold dear as Americans.  Their sacrifice, resolve, and bravery continue to serve as an inspiration to us all.”

Marc Alessi, chair of the Startups and Economic Development practice groups at Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP, Suffolk County’s premier law firm, has been selected to lead the Business Incubator Association of New York State, Inc. (BIA/NYS).  A nonprofit trade association, BIA/NYS is the state’s largest organization dedicated to strengthening and expanding the facilities and programs that foster the growth and development of startup and incubator-based enterprises throughout New York.  As Executive Director, Alessi is charged with furthering the association’s mission to promote networking, knowledge-sharing, and advocacy among organizations operating business incubators throughout the state.

The organization is a natural fit for Alessi, an experienced navigator of the local and regional entrepreneurial ecosystem.  The recipient of the Innovator of the Year Award from Innovate Long Island, Alessi has helped launch and finance a number of early stage companies across a variety of industries including biotechnology, IT, construction, and real estate.  Alessi helped establish Accelerate Long Island, a unique collaboration among the region’s research institutions and business community to foster startup growth.  He currently serves as Chairman and Founding CEO of one of their portfolio companies, SynchroPET, which is advancing its technology and developing its business as a tenant in the Long Island High Technology Incubator (LIHTI) at Stony Brook University. The company’s medical imaging products, based on intellectual property licensed from Brookhaven National Laboratory, are the smallest, lightest PET scanners in the world, facilitating research via non-invasive PET and simultaneous PET/MRI imaging.

Alessi, a resident of Shoreham, has a long history of public service, including serving three terms in the New York State Assembly representing the First Assembly District, which included the Towns of Brookhaven, Riverhead, Southold, and Shelter Island.

“After a decade of impressive growth, the BIA Board was seeking an Executive Director to take the organization to the next level in scale, support for our constituencies, and recognition. Marc’s diverse background, as well as his personal skills and talents, are a terrific match for our vision. We all look forward to making great strides with him in the years ahead,” said Ann-Marie Scheidt, Chair of the Board of Directors of the BIA/NYS and Director of Economic Development at Stony Brook.

Campolo, Middleton & McCormick, LLP, has announced that all four partners of the firm—Joe Campolo, Scott Middleton, Patrick McCormick, and Christine Malafi—have earned AV Preeminent ratings from Martindale-Hubbell®, the highest possible rating from the most recognized and trusted legal directory and resource for nearly 150 years.  The AV Preeminent rating recognizes attorneys for both ethical standards and legal ability, and is earned only after an extensive peer review and recommendation process that includes members of the bar and judiciary.  Frederick Eisenbud, Of Counsel to the firm and chair of the Environmental & Land Use practice group, also holds an AV Preeminent rating.

A peer named Campolo as “the first recommendation to my clients for business and commercial law issues,” while Middleton was recognized for being “an outstanding trial attorney” and “respected by the judiciary.”  A fellow lawyer shared that McCormick “would be my number one choice” for personal representation.  Malafi was praised for having an “exceptional legal mind” and ethical standards “beyond reproach.”

The partners of the firm all continue to shape Suffolk County’s legal and business landscape by serving on the boards of some of its most prestigious professional organizations.  In recognition of their legal skill and community involvement, they have won numerous awards in addition to achieving the AV Preeminent rating.  In 2016, Campolo was voted the Best Lawyer on Long Island for the second year in a row and Malafi was named a Top Woman in Law. Both Middleton and McCormick are recent recipients of LIBN Leadership in Law Awards and have been named New York Super Lawyers for several years running.