Blank Rome vice chair James T. Smith and partners Dayna Finkelstein, Regina Stango Kelbon, and Timothy D. Pecsenye have been named to the Philadelphia Business Journal’s 2022 Best of the Bar, which honors the Philadelphia region’s 37 "most impactful" lawyers across 10 categories who have "demonstrated success" over the past 15 months.
Below are their honoree profiles, as published in the Philadelphia Business Journal.
James T. Smith – Business Litigation
Firm: Blank Rome
Law School: Temple University (1983)
Smith successfully led the defense of Johnson & Johnson in Kleiner et ux v. Johnson & Johnson in Philadelphia Common Pleas Court, a case involving allegations that perineal application of J&J’s talcum powder caused the plaintiff to develop ovarian cancer. The hotly contested, six-week jury trial began in August 2021 and received national media attention as one of the largest “talc” litigations to date. As lead counsel, Smith navigated the many challenges of this case with ease. By providing expert testimony from scientific, medical and regulatory authorities, Smith and his team persuaded the jury to render a defense verdict.
What would you consider the worst current law on the books in the U.S.?
Whichever one isn’t working well for my client.
What should be the top priority for Philadelphia’s next mayor and City Council?
The city must make progress closing the opportunity gap in education, employment, health care, income and housing. The long-term future of Philadelphia must incorporate more equitable access to opportunity.
Who would you have on your Mount Rushmore of lawyers in the history of Greater Philadelphia?
Andrew Hamilton, designer of Independence Hall and counsel to John Peter Zenger in the case that established the legal principle that truthful information cannot be libelous; Judge A. Leon Higginbotham, former chief judge, U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom; Mark A. Aronchick, one of Philadelphia’s finest legal talents; and Donald J. Goldberg, another one of Philadelphia’s incredible legal talents.
If you could change one thing about the practice of law what would it be?
More accessibility and affordability of legal services and better public understanding of when a lawyer is essential.
How do you celebrate a big victory at work?
We scrub every aspect of our performance after a case concludes to celebrate what we did really well and to take cognizance of where we need to do better, strategically or tactically.
To view all the Business Litigation honoree profiles, please click here.
Dayna Finkelstein – Real Estate
Firm: Blank Rome
Law School: Penn State - Dickinson (2006)
Finkelstein represented New York investment advisor DRA Advisors in significant portions of the $880 million acquisition of 34 grocery-anchored shopping centers across various states from Cedar Realty Trust in July. She also participated in individual financing and several large, multi-state portfolio transactions for DRA that included leading an industrial portfolio loan recast with a well-known American financial institution. This involved 83 properties across 12 states.
What do you consider the worst current law on the books in the U.S.?
Any law that makes it easier for an individual to purchase a firearm without first going through rigorous background checks. I long for the day when we stop waking up to mass (and other) shootings as a “normal” part of the news cycle.
What should be the top priority for Philadelphia’s next mayor and City Council?
Reduction of crime should be top priority. Before we can really improve any other aspect of our livelihood as Philadelphians, I think we have to focus on the safety and security of our residents. Increased funding to public schools and investment in infrastructure are other important priorities.
Who would you have on your Mount Rushmore of lawyers in the history of Greater Philadelphia?
I truly can’t pick just four individuals, so my Mount Rushmore represents local institutions that have shaped me: the University of Pennsylvania (undergrad); Penn State’s Dickinson School of Law (law school); Blank Rome LLP (career-long employer); and Drexel’s Thomas R. Kline School of Law (adjunct professor).
If you could change one thing about the practice of law what would it be?
I’d love to see law firms earn more reputational capital for quality legal training, akin to teaching hospitals in the medical field. New associates could have a “residency” year rotating throughout different practice groups, giving young lawyers more time to select a practice area and learn the business of law.
How do you celebrate a big victory at work?
I celebrate over good food and good wine with friends and family (and colleagues and clients if we can organize a closing dinner!). Fortunately, Philly has always had an incredible and evolving food scene, so there’s an endless supply of great restaurants to try.
To view all the Real Estate honoree profiles, please click here.
Regina Stango Kelbon – Bankruptcy
Firm: Blank Rome
Law School: Temple University (1985)
Kelbon, head of Blank Rome’s bankruptcy and restructuring practice, successfully navigated the bankruptcy of Borden Dairy Co., one of the nation’s oldest and largest dairy companies. She led representation of a major financial institution as the agent and lender in a $270 million unitranche facility to Borden. Kelbon’s team negotiated the terms and conditions for use of lenders’ funds, litigated lender lien disputes, drafted buyer financing agreements, and resolved a series of other disputes. The team was also involved in the sale process for Borden’s assets. As a result, her client was repaid in full.
What should be the top priority for Philadelphia’s next mayor and City Council?
Philadelphia is a wonderful city with so much to offer. To ensure that it remains that way for those who live, work, do business, attend schools, and visit here, I believe Philadelphia’s next mayor and city council should focus on safety first and reducing crime in the city.
Who would you have on your Mount Rushmore of lawyers in the history of Greater Philadelphia?
Joan Stern and Bonnie Fatell for pioneering and demonstrating the way for women to achieve executive committee and distribution committee status; and Leon Forman and Raymond Shapiro for their brilliance in the bankruptcy field. I am honored to count these attorneys as my mentors, role models and friends.
If you could change one thing about the practice of law what
would it be?
I would bring civility back to the practice of all areas of law. I enjoy practicing bankruptcy law because the bankruptcy bar remains very collegial and maintains high levels of civility. I would love to see this civility in all aspects of legal practice.
How do you celebrate a big victory at work?
It’s all about the team— we win together and celebrate together! And that starts with gratitude. I talk to all of the people who worked with me and coached me on the matter and thank them. I make sure they know that I consider the victory a team victory and that I’m grateful for their contributions.
To view all the Bankruptcy honoree profiles, please click here.
Timothy D. Pecsenye – Intellectual Property Litigation
Firm: Blank Rome
Law School: University of Pittsburgh (1987)
Pecsenye oversaw and provided counsel for the global intellectual property component of optical materials and semiconductors firm II-VI Inc.’s $6.88 billion acquisition of Coherent that closed on July 1. In facilitating this deal, he performed diligence on the portfolio, corrected and updated intellectual property chains of title, and was involved in the debt financing where the intellectual property was collateral for the transaction. The companies combined thousands of patents and trademarks during this acquisition, mostly centered around technology in lasers, materials, and networking. He is currently handling the global rebrand of the company from II-VI to Coherent.
What should be the top priority for Philadelphia’s next mayor and City Council?
To get the city moving back in the right direction I believe that law and order, as well as a significant reduction in crime, should be the most important priorities for the city’s future leadership.
Who would you have on your Mount Rushmore of lawyers in the history of Greater Philadelphia?
Francis Hopkinson, James Wilson, and John Graver Johnson have all historically contributed greatly to the practice of law. Blank Rome’s former general counsel William H. Roberts is a brilliant legal mind who I have professionally looked up to throughout my career.
If you could change one thing about the practice of law what would it be?
Eliminating the billable hour and time sheets would return the practice of law to the results-driven industry that it once was.
How do you celebrate a big victory at work?
When our team wins big, I like to make sure everyone on the team knows how critical they were to our overall success. Dinner and drinks with the team is a great way to show that they are appreciated and valued.