Bridgewater Attorney Honored For Volunteer Work at Somerset Hills YMCA Awards

A New York resident—and member of the Bridgewater-based law firm, Norris McLaughlin & Marcus—was honored by the Basking Ridge-based Somerset Hills YMCA after being named a Volunteer of the Year for H.A.R.K. (Healthy Active Responsible Kids.)

Deanna Koestel received the honor at the recent 25th Annual Somerset Hills YMCA Volunteer Recognition Night.

According to a release from the law firm, Koestel was named Volunteer of the Year for her work with H.A.R.K. (Healthy Active Responsible Kids) as a founding board member and trustee, and Girls on the Run of Central New Jersey.

H.A.R.K. was founded by Donna Dourney in memory of her father, the release said, and is dedicated to raising awareness of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig's Disease, as well as what families need to know about it.

The program also sponsors Girls on the Run, the release said, for which Koestel fundraises and serves as a volunteer.

With the Bridgewater law firm, the release said, Koestel is a commercial litigator, specializing in complex civil matters, construction disputes and general commercial disputes in New Jersey and New York. The release said she has handled cases that included breach of contract, consumer fraud actions, professional negligence, products liability litigation and more.

In addition, the release said, Koestel represents property owners, contractors, suppliers and manufacturers in construction contract issues.

For the past five years, the release said, Koestel has also been selected for inclusion in the business litigation section of "New Jersey Rising Stars."

Koestel, the release said, earned her J.D. from Temple University Bealey School of Law in 2002, and her B.A. in psychology and criminology/criminal justice from the University of Maryland in 1999.

The Somerset Hills YMCA has two locations in Basking Ridge, but serves the entire Somerset Hills area, Warren Township and also has members from neighboring communities in Somerset and Morris counties.