Steven Poulathas, Co-Managing Shareholder, Flaster Greenberg

In an interview with Invest:, Steven Poulathas, co-managing shareholder of Flaster Greenberg, discussed the firm’s recent successes, the evolving legal landscape, and the impact of AI and M&A trends. “We don’t just focus on closing the deal; we ensure maximum value and long-term benefits for our clients.”

What have been some of the biggest cases or highlights for Flaster Greenberg over the last 12 months?
A highlight for our firm this year was welcoming more than 200 professionals in the M&A space from the tri-state area and beyond to our 5th Annual M&A Conference, sponsored by M&T Bank. The half-day event featured three sessions with panelists from leading investment banking, M&A advisory and consulting, banking, accounting, and wealth management firms who serve clients from a variety of sectors across the United States.

Additionally, we’ve been fortunate and extremely busy across all practice areas. On the corporate transactional side, which I’m more involved in, we’ve closed some excellent transactions and fundraising efforts for our clients. On the litigation side, we have a strong insurance coverage practice and a robust intellectual property litigation practice that has grown significantly.  We have also hired many talented attorneys to support our evergoing Intellectual Property prosecution work, and have been exploring ways to incorporate AI into our legal services to enhance efficiency while ensuring we maintain our ethical responsibilities and data security, which is a critical factor when integrating AI into the legal profession.

How has the legal industry in New Jersey evolved over the last year, particularly in response to economic fluctuations, regulatory changes, and new technologies?
The legal industry in New Jersey has remained robust. While we’ve seen signs of economic fluctuations, such as inflation and higher costs for financing concerns, there’s still optimism, especially in the business sector of our practice. With the new administration, there are expectations about potential tax relief and deregulation, which could impact the legal landscape.

Coincidentally, with ongoing changing trade and tariff policies, we remain by our clients’ side to navigate challenges and opportunities. These developments could bring short-term challenges but potentially long-term benefits. As a firm, we’re adapting by updating contracts and legal language to address these new realities.

What shifts have you observed in client demand or priorities over the last year?
We’re now operating in a post-COVID environment, which has had mixed effects on different industries. Some experienced record-breaking years, while others faced challenges and are now in the process of rebuilding. Many companies that weathered the pandemic are now looking toward the next phase, whether through expansion, restructuring, or exit strategies.

We’re seeing a strong pipeline of mergers and acquisitions, particularly from companies that previously held off on such moves but are now ready to proceed. Private equity is actively entering various industries, and strategic acquisitions are lining up. While not all deals are immediate, we anticipate significant activity in 2025.

With the increase in mergers and acquisitions within the state, how has Flaster Greenberg adapted to these developments?
We’ve been busier than ever, guiding our clients through these transactions. What sets us apart is our holistic approach — we don’t just focus on closing the deal; we ensure maximum value and long-term benefits for our clients.

M&A events are often once-in-a-lifetime transactions, so our role goes beyond legal documentation. We work to minimize taxes and integrate transactions into estate planning, wealth management, and asset protection strategies. Our goal is not just to complete the transaction but to ensure our clients are set up for long-term success.

What role do mid-sized law firms play in the broader New Jersey legal landscape compared to larger national or multinational firms?
Larger firms are highly sophisticated organizations with vast expertise, and we respect what they bring to the table. However, as a mid-sized firm, we offer the same level of expertise with a more efficient and client-focused approach.

Our headquarters is in South Jersey, allowing us to keep overhead costs lower and pass those savings on to our clients. Most importantly, we maintain the highest level of sophisticated legal work without the bureaucracy often associated with larger firms.

How have you approached serving small businesses and entrepreneurs, and what emerging industries should we be paying attention to?

In terms of emerging industries, we’ve seen significant growth in areas influenced by legislative changes, such as cannabis. Additionally, New Jersey has always been a leader in technology and innovation. AI is becoming a major area of development, with data centers and tech-driven infrastructure projects taking shape. These developments could provide long-term economic stability for the state. New Jersey offers incredible resources — natural beauty, a strong workforce, and a strategic location — but also has high taxes and operating costs. While tax relief would be beneficial, we work closely with our clients to strategically minimize their tax burden through legal and effective planning.

What sets your firm apart and allows you to maintain such a high standard of excellence?
We place a strong emphasis on workplace culture and employee satisfaction. We’ve consistently been recognized as one of the best places to work, and a big part of that is our dedication to a positive, supportive work environment.

One factor that differentiates us is our fully transparent, objective compensation system. This eliminates the internal conflicts and time-consuming debates over compensation that many firms face, allowing us to focus on delivering exceptional service to our clients.

We also prioritize work-life balance and maintain a firm size that fosters collaboration and integration among our attorneys. Our goal is to create an environment where employees feel valued and motivated, which naturally translates into stronger client relationships and business success.

Are there any legal challenges emerging due to recent labor and employment law reforms?
Fortunately, we haven’t faced these challenges internally, but we help our clients every day by taking a proactive approach. Simply reacting to issues is not enough. As trusted advisors, we position ourselves as part of our clients’ teams — not as business partners but as essential legal counselors who help anticipate challenges and stay ahead of them.

How does Flaster Greenberg implement new technologies, and how have these tools improved your services and client relationships?
Technology is essential for delivering top-tier legal services and maintaining a flexible work environment. Our hybrid model allows employees to work both in-office and remotely, maximizing productivity and efficiency.

Cybersecurity is a top priority, ensuring sensitive client data remains protected. AI is evolving rapidly, and our dedicated committee of intellectual property experts evaluates emerging tools while ensuring their ethical use.

Lawyers must adhere to strict ethical rules, and we take those obligations seriously. AI cannot replace attorneys in delivering legal services. While we explore new tools, we do so cautiously, ensuring compliance. Our attorneys are also at the forefront and industry leaders in handling AI-related litigation, assuring we stay ahead of these legal developments.

Looking ahead, what are your firm’s top priorities and goals for the next two to three years?
Our primary goal is strategic growth — not just expanding for the sake of it but adding attorneys with sophisticated and complementary practices that enhance our firm. Attracting top talent is important, but retention is just as critical. We are focused on maintaining our positive culture and strong workplace environment.

Additionally, we remain committed to supporting our communities and standing by our clients. They are the lifeblood of our firm, and we are grateful for the trust they place in us. Their success is our success, and we will continue working hand in hand to help them navigate their legal needs.