News Updates

Cedar Knolls, NJ, October 7, 2021 – LAUREN KOFFLER O’NEILL has become a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in North America. The induction ceremony at which Lauren became a Fellow took place recently before an audience of approximately 687 (including both in-person and virtual attendees) during the recent Annual Meeting of the College in Chicago, Illinois. Founded in 1950, the College is composed of the best of the trial bar from the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Fellowship in the College is extended by invitation only and only after careful investigation, to those experienced trial lawyers of diverse backgrounds, who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality. Lawyers must have a minimum of fifteen years trial experience before they can be considered for Fellowship. Membership in the College cannot exceed one percent of the total lawyer population of any state or province. There are currently approximately 5,800 members in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico, including active Fellows, Emeritus Fellows, Judicial Fellows (those who ascended to the bench after their induction) and Honorary Fellows. The College maintains and seeks to improve the standards of trial practice, professionalism, ethics, and the administration of justice through education and public statements on independence of the judiciary, trial by jury, respect for the rule of law, access to justice, and fair and just representation of all parties to legal proceedings. The College is thus able to speak with a balanced voice on important issues affecting the legal profession and the administration of justice. Ms. O’Neill is a Member in the firm of MacNeill, O’Neill, Riveles & Spitzer, LLC and has been practicing in this city for 5 years. The newly inducted Fellow is an alumna of Seton Hall School of Law.

Gary Riveles will be presenting at the American Conference Institute’s 18th Annual Advanced Forum on Obstetric Malpractice Claims on June 26, 2019 at The Union League of Philadelphia. This annual conference extends over two days and addresses multiple topics of importance for medical malpractrice lawyers, claims adjusters, risk managers and stakeholders who have an interest in Obstetrical Malpractice issues. Mr. Riveles will be addressing the topic of head cooling and understanding how it has changed Birth Injury Litigation.

In April 2019, it was announced that Founding Partner Lauren O’Neill, Esq. was selected as a Super Lawyer in New Jersey for 2019. Only 5% of attorneys in New Jersey receive this distinction. The selection process includes nomination and evaluation by your peers. More significantly, Lauren was also selected as one of the Top 50 female lawyers in New Jersey. Lauren was previously selected as a New Jersey Super Lawyer in 2010 through 2018. Lauren is also a Certified Civil Trial Attorney.

Jay S. MacNeill, a contributor to golf in New Jersey as a president of both the New Jersey State Golf Association and Plainfield Country Club in Edison, is the 2018 recipient of the NJSGA/NJPGA New Jersey Golf Distinguished Service Award.

The Distinguished Service Award is presented annually by the NJPGA in collaboration with the NJSGA to honor an individual who has provided exemplary service and contributions to growing the game of golf in New Jersey, consistent with the honor, values and traditions of the game. MacNeill will formally receive the award at the annual NJSGA/NJPGA Celebration of Golf on Thursday, Oct. 25, at Canoe Brook Country Club in Summit.

Under his leadership, the NJSGA made great strides, including the sale of its Golf Cottage in Bloomfield, the long-time home of the NJSGA which preceded the moving of the headquarters to the current site at Galloping Hill Golf Course in Kenilworth.

During his presidency, the Women’s Committee was added to the NJSGA, bringing with it an additional seven championships. He also oversaw a restructuring of the publication of the organization’s magazine.

“I am honored and humbled by the award, especially when I think back over the names of the past honorees. Golf is a lifetime game of honor and challenge. I am glad to have had the opportunity to be of service to such a worthy endeavor,” MacNeill stated.

MacNeill is a trial lawyer and is a founding member and managing partner of the firm of MacNeill, O’Neill, Riveles & Spitzer in Cedar Knolls. He represents healthcare professionals, healthcare and corporate entities. He has litigated at all levels in the state and federal courts, with extensive experience trying jury as well as non-jury cases.

He has been elected as a Fellow to the American Board of Trial Advocates and is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Civil Trial Attorney. He has wide-ranging litigation experience in significant civil matters involving complex commercial litigation. MacNeill regularly counsels the firm’s business clients on corporate and commercial matters, as well as serving their litigation needs.

Since 2005, MacNeill has been recognized and included in the list of New Jersey “Super Lawyers”, which is published annually in New Jersey Monthly magazine by Super Lawyers. Only five percent of the lawyers in New Jersey are named to “Super Lawyers.”

MacNeill is currently serving on the Board of Trustees of the New Jersey Seniors Golf Association and has served on the Board of Trustees for the NJSGA, including his term as President. He continues to serve on the NJSGA’s Executive Committee and Advisory Committee of Past Presidents, providing counsel to the association.

MacNeill and his wife, Peggy, reside in Tinton Falls. They are the parents of Ian MacNeill, who resides in Needham, Mass., and Cate Knight, who lives in Little Silver, N.J. The McNeills have five grandchildren.

In March 2019, Founding Partner Gary Riveles, Esq. received a jury verdict in favor of his client, a gastroenterologist, after a 3 week trial. Plaintiff alleged that our client deviated from accepted standards of medical care by failing to timely diagnose Crohn’s disease. The defense Gary presented focused on the fact that the patient’s condition progressed and that earlier diagnosis would not have been feasible. As a result of this defense, the jury found that our client was not negligent. Kudos to Gary on a well-earned victory!

Recently, Gary Riveles, Esq. was appointed as Co-Chair of the Medical Malpractice Special Committee of the New Jersey State Bar Association. This important committee monitors case law and legislative developments in medical malpractice law and disseminates information to Association members as well as making recommendations on pending legislation that affects medical malpractice litigants.

Recently, Founding Partner Gary Riveles, Esq., was named to the list of the Top 100 lawyers in New Jersey for 2019 by SuperLawyers.com. In addition to this accolade, Gary was also selected as a Super Lawyer. Only 5% of attorneys in New Jersey receive this distinction. The selection process includes nomination and evaluation by your peers. Gary has been selected as a Super Lawyer in New Jersey since 2010. Gary is also a Certified Civil Trial Attorney.

In April 2019, Jay Scott MacNeill, Esq., a Founding Partner of the firm, was selected as a Super Lawyer in New Jersey. Only 5% of attorneys in New Jersey receive this distinction. The selection process includes nomination and evaluation by your peers. Jay was previously selected as a New Jersey Super Lawyer in 2010 through 2018. Jay is also a Certified Civil Trial Attorney. In 2016, Jay celebrated his 50th year practicing law.

In April 2019, Partner Robert Spitzer, Esq. was selected as a Rising Star in New Jersey by SuperLawyers.com. Only 2.5% of New Jersey attorneys receive this designation. The selection process for this designation includes a nomination and evaluation by his peers. MORLAW congratulates Rob on this accomplishment.

In April 2019, Associate Anelia (“Nelly”) D. Brown, Esq. was named as a Rising Star in New Jersey by SuperLawyers.com. Only 2.5% of New Jersey attorneys receive this designation. The selection process for this designation includes a nomination and evaluation by his peers. MORLAW congratulates Nelly on this achievement.