Law Firm Partners Voted Super Lawyers for Second Straight Year

Ray Gill ’74 and Peter Chamas ’86

For the second consecutive year Ray Gill ’74 and Peter Chamas ’86, both Rider University political science graduates and partners in the Woodbridge, NJ, law firm of Gill-Chamas, have been designated "Super Lawyers" by Law & Politics Magazine.

Each year the magazine sends ballots to approximately 35,000 attorneys asking them to nominate the best attorneys they have seen in action. The attorneys that are polled have been in practice for more than five years and are encouraged to nominate based on performance, not reputation. The nominees are reviewed by a blue ribbon panel and put through interviews with colleagues and verification of their ethical standards.

The candidates are then sorted by geographical region and firm size. It is quite an honor that only five percent of attorneys in NJ receive the "Super Lawyers" designation.

Gill, who was also recognized as one of the top ten attorneys in New Jersey, has been a civil trial attorney for 29 years and graduated at the top of his class with a J.D. degree from the University of Richmond in 1977. His reputation as a fearless litigator has propelled him to the top of his field and the top-ten honor he received recently. His practice focuses on cases stemming from automobile accidents, workplace injuries and wrongful death.

In 1986 he founded a 15-lawyer firm in Woodbridge. Four years later Chamas joined the firm, and the Rider connection has blossomed into a solid partnership.

“My partnership with Peter Chamas has evolved very smoothly over the years,” Gill said. “When I began looking for a partner, I interviewed very few attorneys. Peter was among them, and I was impressed with him. He is a very fine trial lawyer.

“Even though we both attended Rider we were there at different times,” Gill added. “It certainly is something you notice in one’s credentials though. When you have faith in the education system of your alma mater and you meet someone with that background as well, it forms an instant bond resulting from a shared experience.”

Chamas, who earned a J.D. degree from Widener University, has practiced law for 16 years and concentrates his practices in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death, product liability, general negligence, automobile accidents, construction accidents and medical malpractice. He has won numerous multi-million dollar jury verdicts and settlements for his clients and is known for his compassion for his clients.

This passion also led him to become a trustee for Holidays for the Homeless, a non-profit charitable organization that raises money for underprivileged families. Originally the organization was formed to help families in the Woodbridge area during the holidays. With Chamas’ guidance, the work now includes year-round support for families statewide.

Both Gill and Chamas said their Rider education has made a difference in their successful careers. Gill singled out Dr. Barry Seldes, professor of political science, who influenced him the most, and Chamas said Dr. Harvey Kornberg, also a professor of political science, introduced him to constitutional law.

“Rider prepared me for my career in that it prepared me for law school,” Gill said. “It would be nearly impossible to succeed in law school without a strong core education.”

He said, "Dr. Seldes challenged me on certain levels in classes. We dealt with social issues such as civil rights, abortion and freedom of speech. This was the Vietnam era and these were all hot button topics. He engaged us in timely, relevant matters – issues we were all dealing with.”

Chamas expressed similar feelings about Dr. Kornberg. “Professor Kornberg had tremendous influence on me,” Chamas said. “He introduced me to law, and more specifically, constitutional law. When you first enter college, it’s a delicate situation, a sort of make or break interest in your studies.

“Professor Kornberg taught his classes with such passion that you couldn’t help being drawn in,” Chamas added. “I learned to appreciate the law because of the conviction with which he spoke.”

At Rider, Gill was involved in Model United Nations competition, the Law Society and was a brother of Tau Kappa Epsilon. Born and raised in Woodbridge, Gill now resides in Fair Haven, NJ, with his wife and three children.

Like many Rider students, Chamas worked his way through college. Before attending law school, he worked in the construction industry. Born and raised in Old Bridge, Chamas resides in Millstone Township with his wife and daughter.

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