'SuperLawyer' makes time to give back to community
Attorney involved in Make-A-Wish Foundation and bereavement camp

Gary L. Mason

MILLSTONE - Resident Gary L. Mason has been named a New Jersey "SuperLawyer" for a second consecutive year.

To be considered for the 2007 New Jersey SuperLawyers list, the research department of Law & Politics, which is an online version of a journal of legal and political issues and opinions, interviews law firm personnel throughout the state in order to assess the expertise of each lawyer nominated for the list by his or her peers, according to a press release from Jaffe Associates, which is a Connecticut-based public relations company for lawyers and their firms.

With more than 85,000 practicing attorneys in 55 specialty categories in New Jersey, only 5 percent was chosen as SuperLawyers. The complete list is available at www.superlawyers.com.

Mason, who is the managing member of Manalapan's Klafter & Mason LLC, said in the release that he is honored to be among the elite group recognized by its peers.

"Peer recognition is, without a doubt, a gratifying testament to one's success and reputation," he said.

Mason limits his practice to complex business transactions and litigation, business counseling, strategic positioning, business disaster recovery, employment litigation, bankruptcy and entertainment law. His business-related services are geared toward the small and mid-size business, from mom-and-pop enterprises to companies generating revenue in excess of $100 million annually, according to the press release.

One of Mason's longtime clients, David Strumeier, who is the founder and former president of marketing and merchandising for a company called Pro Player, described Mason in the press release as a creative and innovative problem solver who thrives on a challenge, excels under pressure and gets the job done.

"He served as my personal legal and business adviser in negotiations to change the name of Joe Robbie Stadium in Florida to Pro Player Stadium, and he proved himself to be a compassionate counselor and tough negotiator," Strumeier said.

He continued, "Since then, Gary has continued to represent me and my national and global business interests in a variety of capacities."

Mason also serves as general counsel to Global Licensing & Marketing LLC, a national firm engaged in various licensing and franchising business ventures, as well as Dream Balloon Productions, a production company engaged in the creation and distribution of animated feature films, according to the press release.

Mason is currently working on an animated holiday film slated for release in November 2008, featuring the voice work of Jim Belushi and Tim Curry, the release said.

In 2006, Mason was selected as a member of the Madison Who's Who Among Executives and Professionals and the United Who's Who Among Executives and Professionals. He has also served on the board of directors for the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education and on the American Bar Association's Labor and Employment Law Committee Planning Board, the release said.

An active member of the New Jersey State Bar Association and the American Bar Association's Labor and Employment, Litigation and Business Law committees, Mason also serves on the Chancery Practice Committee, the General Welfare of Membership Committee and as chair of the Banking and Commercial Law Committee of the Monmouth County Bar Association.

Mason earned a bachelor of arts degree from Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa., in 1987, and his juris doctor degree with honors in 1990 from the New England School of Law in Boston. He is admitted to practice law in the state of New Jersey, the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey and for the Southern District of New York, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

In addition to practicing law, Mason volunteers his time to the Make-A-Wish Foundation and is the regional director for Comfort Zone Camp Inc., a nonprofit bereavement camp based in Virginia for children who have lost a sibling, parent or primary caregiver.

"I believe that every attorney has a duty to give back to his or her community," Mason continued in the release. "Having lost a sister at a very young age, [I feel] Comfort Zone is the ideal place for me to serve my community and help these kids succeed in their grieving where I may have stumbled."

Mason also recently completed a book titled "Living With Death: A Beginner's Manual" and is on the search for an appropriate publisher.

Founded in 1997 with fellow member Craig L. Klafter, Klafter & Mason LLC provides a broad spectrum of services throughout New Jersey in both personal and business-related matters. Seasoned strategists and litigators offer expertise in a full range of practice areas, including commercial litigation, complex business transactions, employment litigation, personal injury, products liability, municipal court law, criminal law, estate planning, consumer law, bankruptcy, and commercial and residential real estate.