Obama Appoints McCarter Lawyer to Veterans Court

Newark, N.J.  (January 3, 2013) -  McCarter & English LLP is pleased to announce that President Obama has appointed William S. Greenberg, a partner in the firm’s Newark office, to the position of Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for Veterans Claims.


Mr. Greenberg took the oath of office on Friday, December 28, in a private ceremony in Princeton. The oath was administered by Senior United States District Court Judge Joseph E. Irenas, a former McCarter partner. President Obama made the appointment December 27 after the U.S. Senate confirmed the appointment on December 21. 
Mr. Greenberg will begin his new responsibilities immediately, thereby concluding his 45-year career as a practicing lawyer, the past 19 of which he has spent as a partner at McCarter. The majority of his career has involved litigation, largely on behalf of US-based corporations. At the same time, he has focused extensive time on military issues, having served in the Reserve Components of the United States Army for 27 years, rising to the rank of Brigadier General.  


“This is a great honor, and I look forward to addressing the many critical legal issues facing veterans today entrusted to me by the President,” Mr. Greenberg said. “At the same time, I am sad to leave McCarter, which has provided me an exceptional platform for building a strong litigation practice and where I have made many close friends.”
Stephen M. Vajtay, Jr., McCarter’s managing partner, said, “Bill is a good friend and a respected colleague who has played an important role in the growth and success of McCarter. We will miss him, but he is clearly an excellent choice for this position, and I have no doubt that he will serve the nation well as a member of this important court.” 
Mr. Greenberg’s activities on behalf of the military include establishing and chairing the New Jersey State Bar Association pro bono program of military legal assistance for members of the Reserve Components called to active duty after September 11, 2001. In this position he has, personally and together with other McCarter lawyers, represented pro-bono more than 50 soldiers to make certain they receive appropriate care and help for their combat wounds and injuries.


With the approval of the Secretary of Defense on the recommendation of The White House, Mr. Greenberg became Chairman of the Reserve Forces Policy Board in 2009. He was awarded the Secretary of Defense Medal for Outstanding Public Service, the second highest civilian award in the Defense Department, at a public ceremony in the Pentagon in 2011. He is also an Adjunct Professor of Military Law at Seton Hall University School of Law.
U.S. Senator Robert Menendez, speaking in December before the U.S. Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs to endorse Mr. Greenberg’s confirmation, said, “I simply cannot think of a more qualified citizen-soldier to preside over matters concerning the men and women he has devoted a lifetime to helping. I am proud of his service. I’m proud that he’s from New Jersey, and I’m honored to call him a friend.”


Mr. Greenberg also recently served as Chairman of the Judicial and Prosecutorial Appointments Committee of the New Jersey State Bar Association, which considers all candidates for judge or prosecutor submitted by the Governor of New Jersey. He was a member of the Mercer County Ethics Committee, appointed by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. He was President of the New Jersey Chapter of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America.
Mr. Greenberg received his B.A. from Johns Hopkins University and a J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law.


About McCarter & English


McCarter & English, LLP, established more than 160 years ago, represents Fortune 500 and middle-market companies in their national, regional and local litigation and on important transactions. Its 400 attorneys are based in offices in Boston, Hartford, New York, Newark, Philadelphia, Stamford and Wilmington.  www.mccarter.com