Goldberg Segalla
Goldberg Segalla is a law firm with over 400 lawyers in more than 20 offices located in 10 U.S. states. As of 2019, Goldberg Segalla was the 112th largest law firm headquartered in the U.S. by attorney headcount, according to the "National Law Journal"'s NLJ 500. The data also showed the Goldberg Segalla to be the fastest-growing firm in the top 125 that had not undergone a merger–a fact that speaks to its unique hiring philosophy, the firm noted. History and growth. Founding. Goldberg Segalla was founded in Buffalo, New York, on April 20, 2001 , when a group of lawyers departed the now-defunct Saperston & Day to form their own firm. These partners included Neil A. Goldberg, Thomas F. Segalla, Richard J. Cohen, Albert J. D’Aquino, John P. Freedenberg, and Cheryl A. Possenti. Management philosophy. The firm is built on a culture and hiring philosophy that Cohen, who has served as Managing Partner since the firm's founding, envisioned to be radically different from that of typical law firms. Goldberg Segalla has been recognized for its approach to hiring, and the effect of this approach on the firm's growth. In a "Law.com" article that  highlighted the firm's 107 hires in the first nine months of 2018–including 27 hires in just one month–Cohen explained that he personally interviews each attorney that the firm hires. Cohen told "Law.com" that he places more importance on a lawyer's values and compatibility than on a book of business. "If somebody falls down, we want you to pick them up," he said. In 2017, the firm ranked as the 149th largest U.S.-based law firm in the "Law360" "400" list, which also recognized Goldberg Segalla as the fastest-growing U.S.-based law firm that did not participate in  a merger. The firm was recognized again as the fastest-growing firm that hadn't merged in the 2019 NLJ 500. This approach has earned the firm and its founding Managing Partner Cohen profiles in "Buffalo Business First", "Law360", and other outlets, specifically focusing on the firm's philosophy and rapid expansion in contrast with the traditional law firm model and the legal market at large. Rebrand. Goldberg Segalla launched its first-ever rebrand in 2019, which included "a new color pallet, new logo, new website, and a custom-made management structure for the rebranding effort," according to a feature  story in "The American Lawyer". The publication characterized the rebrand in terms of a shift from more traditional design choices to a bolder look the firm intended to align with its founding vision:Gone are the traditional navy blue and white color scheme and oft-used serif font. In Goldberg’s case, their replacements are a distinct black and red pallet and a much more visually complex intersecting of the “G” and “S” that compose the firm’s logo. ...“We believe the new look conveys the dynamic strength, capacity, energy, and focus of Goldberg Segalla today—and well into the  future,” Cohen said in a statement. “But more importantly, it captures why we have always called ourselves ‘different’—and why that isn’t going to change.”Coverage of the rebrand in "The American Lawyer", "Above the Law", and other publications focused on the firm's unusual choice to keep the process a secret from the partnership and to involve only a small team–including three partners, five internal marketing professionals, and an outside consulting firm. “It’s human nature, particularly with lawyers, to have an array of differing opinions with respect to almost anything,” Cohen told "The American Lawyer". “We recognized  that when we did unveil the concept to our ownership community that it was extremely unlikely that all of us would have the exact same vision. We were prepared for a wide array of reactions.” Cohen was also interviewed about the rebrand in "Getting to the Finish Line: Overcoming Rebranding Challenges," an episode of the Legal Marketing Catalyst podcast. Community involvement and diversity. With the support of the firm, lawyers practicing at Goldberg Segalla have founded charity organizations that benefit U.S. soldiers and veterans as well as students in inner-city schools. The firm has also led several award-winning  initiatives to promote diversity in the legal profession. Bunkers in Baghdad, founded in 2008 by Goldberg Segalla partner Joseph M. Hanna, is a nonprofit that collects and ships donated golf balls and golf equipment to U.S. active-duty troops, veterans, and soldiers in Wounded Warriors programs to aid in relaxation and rehabilitation. As of spring 2016, the organization has provided 7 million golf balls and 500,000 golf clubs. In May 2017, the charity shipped its 8 millionth golf ball. Bunkers celebrated its 10th anniversary in October 2018 and shipped its 10 millionth golf ball in May of 2019. "Passing the  10-year mark is key for a nonprofit. It shows we have longevity, that we’re still following our mission and we still have the same enthusiasm and energy that we set out with in the beginning," Hanna told "Buffalo Business First" for a profile in June 2019. Goldberg Segalla is a member of the Minority Corporate Counsel Association (MCCA) Law Firm Affiliates Network, recognizing its support of the organization in its goal to further diversity and inclusion in the legal industry. Led by an internal Diversity Task Force that is chaired by partner Joseph M. Hanna, the firm’s  diversity efforts have earned recognition from leading national and regional professional and community organizations. Honors bestowed on the firm and Hanna include the George B. Vashon Innovator Award from the MCCA, the Diversity Trailblazer Award from the New York State Bar Association, the Legal Service Award from the Minority Bar Association of Western New York, the "Chambers USA" Diversity and Inclusion Award for Outstanding Contribution to Furthering the Advancement of Diversity in the Legal Profession, and the Lawyer of the Year award from the Bar Association of Erie County.