HHR, Two Partners Honored in NYLJ’s Professional Excellence Awards

August 5, 2021 – Hughes Hubbard and two partners have been recognized across three separate categories in the New York Law Journal’s 2021 Professional Excellence Awards, which honor the best and brightest in New York’s legal community.

On Aug. 4, NYLJ announced that the firm was selected as one of two “General Litigation Finalists” for the legal paper’s “Litigation Department of the Year” category. Hagit Elul, co-chair of the firm's Arbitration practice, was named a “Distinguished Leader” and Chris Gartman, a partner in the firm's Corporate Reorganization and Bankruptcy practice, was named a “Rising Star.”

The winners will be honored on Oct. 13 at the New York Legal Awards at the Marriott Marquis in New York City, and featured in a NYLJ special section for this year’s Professional Excellence magazine. According to the NYLJ, the awards honor innovative lawyers, law firms and litigation departments that have influenced their practice areas in New York and beyond.

The “Litigation Department of the Year” honor marks the first time HHR has been recognized by NYLJ in this category. NYLJ considered HHR’s recent body of litigation work, which includes successful results for the government of Denmark in its efforts to recover $2.1 billion stolen in an international tax-refund scam; a co-executor of the estate of Jeffrey Epstein in launching and managing a program to compensate sexual abuse victims of the late financier; and Imerys SA in resolving historic talc-related liabilities in one of the largest mass torts in the U.S.

“We’re proud to be recognized not only for our skills in the courtroom, but also for our practical experience in resolving large, complex disputes so that companies and individuals can get back to their lives and their businesses,” said partner Derek Adler, co-chair of the firm’s Litigation Department.

Partner Dan Weiner, who also co-chairs the firm’s Litigation Department, added, “Our department relies heavily on the intelligence, tenacity and hard work of our litigators, and this recognition is a testament to our dedication and teamwork.”

In other categories, Elul, who also sits on the firm's Executive Committee, was selected as a “Distinguished Leader,” which recognizes lawyers in leadership roles who achieved impressive results in the past year. Gartman was among 27 attorneys aged 40 or younger featured on this year’s “Rising Star” list for making their mark on the practice of law and the New York legal community. Partners Meaghan Gragg and Fara Tabatabai were previously named “Rising Stars” in 2019 and 2017, respectively.