The Newark skyline
By Joshua Burd
Murphy Schiller & Wilkes LLP has expanded its litigation and land use practice groups with its two latest additions.
The new hires include Christopher A. Khatami, who joins the Newark-based firm as counsel and will concentrate his practice on real estate litigation. Prior to joining MSW, he worked at a New Jersey-based litigation boutique, where he represented both private- and public-sector clients in connection with complex litigation matters in both state and federal courts.
Khatami received his law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law and his undergraduate degree from Fordham University, where he was a dean’s list student, Arabic Language Fellowship recipient and Fulbright Scholar nominee.
Meantime, Hannah C. Bartges has joined MSW as an associate and will focus her practice on land use and environmental matters, according to a news release. Prior to joining the firm, she worked as an associate in a top New Jersey-based law firm, gaining invaluable experience representing clients ranging from Fortune 500 companies to family-owned businesses.
Prior to entering private practice, Bartges was assistant corporation counsel in Jersey City’s Law Department, where she handled complex issues concerning federal, state and municipal laws, including the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act and New Jersey’s Spill Act. Following law school, Bartges served as a judicial law clerk to state Superior Court Judge John M. Deitch.
She received her law degree, magna cum laude, with a certificate in environmental law from the Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, where she was acquisitions editor of the Pace Environmental Law Review. She received her undergraduate degree, magna cum laude, from Florida State University.
“We are incredibly excited to have Chris and Hannah join our growing team,” said Kellen F. Murphy, MSW’s managing partner. “Our ability to continue to attract top-level talent is a testament to our vision of building a first-rate boutique law firm focused solely on commercial real estate and development.”
