Speakers: Dennis J. Alessi and Peter H. TanellaDennis J. Alessi prides himself on anticipating the risks and opportunities of his employer and healthcare clients, while providing highly practical compliance counsel that moves the needle forward. Dennis has more than 35 years of experience helping businesses manage their workforces, maintain compliance with federal and state employment laws, and address employee disputes and regulatory investigations. He also develops, implements and updates employment policies, handbooks, policies and forms, in addition to conducting educational seminars for managers on a wide range of issues, including ways to mitigate risk and manage disputes, in order to avoid litigation. When litigation does arise, Dennis defends employers before the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and other federal and state employment regulatory agencies. He also regularly represents employers in wage and hour, discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination and whistleblower cases in New Jersey and New York's federal and state courts, and in administrative law hearings and arbitrations. A significant part of Dennis' practice is devoted to counseling healthcare providers, professionals and businesses, including physicians, dentists, management and billing service providers, third party administrators, group purchasing organizations, labs and surgical centers. Leveraging more than two decades of industry experience, and a graduate certificate in healthcare law compliance, Dennis helps clients establish, structure and license their businesses, strike joint ventures and other professional arrangements, negotiate leasing and exclusive service agreements, and comply with the industry's evolving regulations.
Peter H. Tanella is an experienced business lawyer and trusted advisor who helps entrepreneurs, start-ups, and small and middle-market businesses through every stage of their growth. Peter frequently serves as outside general counsel to clients from a wide array of industries across the U.S., including retail, manufacturing, wholesale, pharmaceutical, healthcare, life science, transportation, technology, construction, real estate development and hospitality, among others. He maintains exceptionally close relationships with clients, who count on him to drive their businesses forward through the entire lifecycle, including business formation, structuring and governance; capital raising, business restructuring, M&A transactions and joint ventures, as well as their contract, employment, real estate and intellectual property concerns. Peter also has extensive experience helping business owners create succession plans and resolve sensitive matters, including disputes among principals and business divorce transactions. Peter often adds value to his clients' businesses by making mutually rewarding introductions to professional service providers, customers and investors. He works under the premise that connecting quality people with one another enhances the likelihood of success for all involved. After graduating from law school, Peter served as a law clerk to the Honorable James G. Troiano, Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division. Following his clerkship, Peter was a Deputy Attorney General with the New Jersey Attorney General Office, Division of Law where he served as general counsel to numerous state agencies.