McCarter & English, LLP is pleased to announce the return of Christian Callegari to its Government Affairs group, following his service as Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill’s (D-NJ) Deputy Political Director during her successful campaign for New Jersey Governor.
Callegari previously served as Chief of Staff to Mayor Andre Sayegh in Paterson, NJ, and as the city’s acting Director of Economic Development. He also served as Chief of Staff to New Jersey Assemblyman Gary Schaer (D-Passaic), and in numerous campaign roles throughout northern New Jersey.
“Christian’s work as my Deputy Political Director was central to our success. His command of New Jersey’s political landscape and his talent for bringing people together set him apart. We were fortunate to have Christian on our team—his presence elevated our operation in every way,” said Governor-elect Sherrill.
Callegari rejoins the firm’s Government Affairs group, led by Guillermo Artiles, who worked for New Jersey’s last two governors, and also includes New Jersey’s Republican National Committeeman Bill Palatucci, former Assembly Majority deputy Executive Director Catherine Tung, Michael Maitland, a former chief of staff to Rep. Donald Norcross and aide to US Senator Frank Lautenberg, Brian Wilton, the first-ever General Counsel of NJ Transit, and Stephanie Olivo, the former Compliance Director for the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC). Michael Murphy, a former prosecutor of Morris County and a candidate for Governor of New Jersey, works for McCarter Government Solutions, LLC.
“We missed Christian while he was working with Governor-elect Sherrill’s campaign, but I know his experience on the trail will be helpful to our clients,” said Artiles. “He’s a changemaker for our clients in education, cannabis, healthcare, real estate, transportation, and other industries.”
“We are so proud of Christian’s accomplishments and his dedicated work with Governor-elect Sherrill’s campaign. We look forward to welcoming him back to the firm as a valued member of our Government Affairs team,” said Joseph Boccassini, the firm’s Managing Partner.
While Callegari was in the public sector, he led several key initiatives, including communications efforts, government and private grant funding opportunities, and sustainability programs. He helped cannabis businesses maneuver through government rules and regulations, and worked with developers on site acquisition, development, and the utilization of state tax credits. He also worked on transformative issues, including criminal justice reform, a comprehensive statewide lead service line replacement plan, and re-establishing the Urban Enterprise Zone program for municipalities and businesses. Callegari garnered significant experience with various Assembly Committees, including Budget, Appropriations, Financial Institutions and Insurance, and Education.
“My time on Governor-elect Sherrill’s campaign offered invaluable exposure to the people and priorities shaping New Jersey’s future,” said Callegari. “I’m excited to bring that connectivity back to McCarter & English in service of our clients and their priorities.”