Founders of Baldassare & Mara Recognized by Peers as 2012 Super Lawyers

Michael Baldassare Honored as a Top 100 Super Lawyer in N.J. and a Super Lawyer in Criminal Defense: White Collar; Jennifer Mara Named a Super Lawyer in Criminal Defense. End Quote

Newark, NJ (1888PressRelease) May 22, 2012 - Michael Baldassare, Esq. and Jennifer Mara, Esq. of Baldassare & Mara, LLC in Newark, N.J. have been honored as 2012 Super Lawyers by their peers. Baldassare was named one of 2012's Top 100 Super Lawyers in New Jersey and as a 2012 Super Lawyer in White Collar Criminal Defense. Mara was recognized as a 2012 Super Lawyer in Criminal Defense.

Super Lawyers is a rating service of outstanding lawyers from more than 70 practice areas who have attained a high-degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. The multi-phased selection process includes independent research as well as nominations and evaluations by peers. Each candidate is evaluated on 12 indicators of professional achievement and peer recognition.

"Michael and I view peer recognition for professional excellence as one of the highest honors," said Mara, who serves as the firm's managing partner.

A litigation boutique, Baldassare & Mara represents individuals and corporations in matters involving criminal defense and business litigation. Other attorneys regularly refer highly sensitive matters to the firm due to their specialized services and deep experience in these practice areas.

Distinguished Careers of Founders

For many years, Baldassare and Mara worked together at one of New Jersey's largest law firms where they established reputations for superior legal work. They founded Baldassare & Mara in 2011.

"Michael and I created a litigation boutique to offer expertise in criminal defense and business litigation," said Mara. "In many of our cases, a client's liberty, professional future or business enterprise is on the line. By staying focused on our core practice areas, we strive to provide the best possible representation to every client when it is needed most."

Baldassare concentrates his practice on defending individuals and companies in criminal investigations and prosecutions. He frequently represents clients in the administrative, licensing and regulatory proceedings that often flow from criminal matters.

Throughout his distinguished career, Baldassare has also represented clients in connection with internal and government investigations as well as trial-level proceedings in a vast array of matters. Those include mail and wire fraud, bank fraud, health care fraud, money laundering/structuring, the Arms Export Control Act, tax fraud, racketeering, bribery, extortion, public corruption, visa fraud, counterfeiting, murder, attempted murder, weapons crimes, drug possession and distribution, child pornography offenses, human trafficking, and sex trafficking.

Mara oversees the firm's business litigation practice and is actively involved in the firm's criminal matters. She has unique experience in this area, having handled numerous matters with both civil and criminal components. For example, she has represented clients in Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act (RICO) and antitrust litigation in which both civil and criminal liability was at issue. Based upon her experience in that regard, Mara often acts as local counsel for national firms with high stakes matters pending in New Jersey federal and state courts.

Baldassare and Mara are actively involved in numerous legal organizations including the Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey (ACDL-NJ) in which Mara is one of its youngest trustees and Baldassare currently serves as an officer. Both graduated magna cum laude from Seton Hall University School of Law.

They have been frequently honored by the legal community. Baldassare was named a Super Lawyer in Criminal Defense: White Collar in 2010 and a Super Lawyers' Rising Star in both 2008 and 2009. Earlier this year, he was recognized as one of New York Area's Best Lawyers in the Criminal Defense - White Collar and Criminal Defense: Non-White Collar practice areas. Mara was named a Super Lawyers Rising Star, Criminal Defense, in 2009 and 2010.

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