CCA - Key Persons

Job Titles:

• Associate of Conte Clayton & Austin

Brendan Greve is an associate of Conte Clayton & Austin who is heavily involved in the Firm's litigation practice. Brendan works on commercial litigation matters brought in the Chancery and Law Divisions, including business and partnership disputes, commercial collections, breach of contract cases, and consumer fraud cases. Brendan is also experienced in Probate Part matters and assists the Firm in estate litigation and guardianship disputes. Prior to joining the Firm, Brendan worked as a law clerk, and later as an associate, at a northern New Jersey law firm where he gained experience working on commercial litigation matters as well as bankruptcy cases and associated bankruptcy litigation. Brendan's experience enables him to practice in both state and federal courts. Brendan received his law degree from Brooklyn Law School and his undergraduate degree from Monmouth University. While in law school, Brendan was a member of the Brooklyn Law School Journal of Law and Policy. Brendan Greve is heavily involved in the Firm's litigation practice including commercial litigation matters, business and partnership disputes and consumer fraud cases.

We mourn the loss of our friend, trusted mentor, and revered colleague, Judge John Conte, who departed this Earth on Monday, March 30, 2020.

A New Jersey native and long-time Florida resident, Meryl Conte Clayton was admitted to practice law in New Jersey in 1984 and in Florida in 1995 and maintains active practices in both states. Meryl focuses on the areas of estate planning, probate and trust administration, guardianship, elder law, real estate law and business law. Meryl is committed to leveraging her vast wealth of experience to help individuals and families plan their legacies, protect their loved ones, and, when necessary, facilitate the resolution of family disputes. With practical advice and compassion, Meryl assists her clients in understanding the value of their estates and to choose and execute the most appropriate estate planning documents and trusts. Meryl's New Jersey-Florida connection represents a powerful advantage for her clients. She can advise on issues, institute court proceedings, and file necessary documents in both states for the convenience of families with homes or assets in Florida and New Jersey. Meryl advises residents of New Jersey who wish to relocate to Florida on the state's homestead and residency requirements, so that they may enjoy the benefits of Florida's favorable tax and estate laws. Meryl has represented purchasers and sellers of real estate with preparation and review of documents and title, deed transfers and conducting closings and has been a member agent with Attorney's Title Insurance Fund, Florida. Business clients will appreciate Meryl's knowledgeable advice on forming an appropriate business entity and managing the company on an ongoing basis. Meryl was a presenter in a legal education seminar Florida Estate Administration from Start to Finish and has spoken to prominent industry groups on various real estate, business and estate matters. She was a featured speaker at the 2012 New Jersey Registered Dieticians' Annual Meeting, where she presented on contracts and business entity formation formation and was a member of Steering Committee and Co-Chair of the Health Fair Committee of the New Jersey Governor's Conference for Women, 2012 and 2013. Among her numerous volunteer positions, Meryl has been a member of the Greater Ramsey Chapter of UNICO, the Boards of the Florida Association of Women Lawyers; Sarasota, Cardinal Mooney High School; Family Promise of Sarasota, and Agape Corner Children's Boarding School and Ministries, among other charitable organizations. Meryl Conte Clayton leverages more than thirty years of legal experience to help clients plan their legacies, protect their loved ones and, when necessary, resolve family disputes.

Michael Austin, a New Jersey native, has been practicing law for more than a decade with a concentration in business transactions, commercial real estate and litigation. Michael brings a diverse legal background to our firm balancing an active transactional and litigation practice. He believes that to excel as a transactional attorney, you must be able to enforce the agreements in court. Michael has represented clients in commercial real estate transactions ranging from office and retail leases to acquisitions of industrial properties and everything in between. He also enjoys helping new entrepreneurs establish their businesses, as well as aligning legal services to help small- to mid-sized businesses achieve their goals for growth. He is committed to keeping his clients informed throughout the process, operating with a simple philosophy: when knowledge replaces uninformed worry, clients can make sound decisions that drive their success. Michael is also a well-rounded litigator, having represented countless clients in Chancery and Law Division lawsuits involving business and partnership disputes, real estate disputes, construction defects, breach of contract cases, consumer fraud cases, employment suits and other issues. After graduating from law school and passing the bar exam in New Jersey, Michael dove head-first into the business world. Michael worked as a project engineer for a major New Jersey construction experience prior to becoming an attorney, gaining a wealth of experience that now offers our clients unique insight into construction-related matters. With an intimate understanding of business and real estate, and deeply attuned to his clients' evolving needs, Michael has developed a growing circle of long-term and repeat clients. Michael is active the legal community where he has participated in leadership roles within the New Jersey State Bar Association, and has presented educational seminars on transactional an litigation topics for the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, Realsource Association of Realtors, and other organizations. A New Jersey native with a background in the construction industry, Michael focuses his practice on business transactions, real estate and commercial litigation