Paul T. Colella
Paul's practice is devoted primarily to Mergers and Acquisitions, Business Law and Corporate Finance.
Paul's Mergers and Acquisitions practice includes representing purchasers and sellers of businesses. As part of this representation, he counsels clients as to the appropriate structure for the acquisition or disposition and negotiates terms for such transactions. He also assists in the preparation of securities filings and public disclosure documents which may be required in connection with the purchase or sale of assets or businesses involving publicly traded corporations or the securities thereof.
Paul's Business Law practice includes counseling clients in the formation and organization of a business or professional practice, including corporations, general partnerships, limited partnerships and limited liability companies. He also provides business planning advice, including the preparation of shareholders' agreements, employment agreements, consulting agreements and other types of business agreements, and participates in the resolution of disputes between or among the shareholders or members of a corporation or other business entity. Paul further assists clients in the preparation of state and federal regulatory filings in connection with the operation of their businesses.
Paul's Corporate Finance practice includes counseling clients with respect to the raising of capital in the public and private markets, and preparing registration statements and private offering documents required in connection with the public and private sale of securities. He also advises clients regarding ongoing compliance with federal and state securities laws, as well as the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, state securities bureaus and stock exchanges. This includes the preparation and review of periodic reports required to be filed by publicly traded corporations, such as forms 10-K, 10-Q and 8-K. He also assists clients in the preparation of proxy materials for shareholder meetings.
Practice Areas
Practice Focus
- Mergers and Acquisitions
- Business Law
- Corporate Finance
- Cannabis Law
Professional Activities
- Member of the New Jersey State Bar Association
Admissions
- New Jersey
- U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
Education
- Washington and Lee University School of Law, J.D., cum laude (1988)
- Bentley University, B.S. (1984)
Honors/Awards
- Voted a 2021 Monmouth County Top Lawyer,* Monmouth Health & Life, October 2021
- Voted a 2020 Monmouth County Top Lawyer,* Monmouth Health & Life, October 2020
- Voted a 2018 Monmouth County Top Lawyer,* Monmouth Health & Life, November 2019
- Voted a 2018 Monmouth County Top Lawyer,* Monmouth Health & Life, November 2018
- Named in New Jersey Super Lawyers®,* Securities & Corporate Finance, Mergers & Acquisitions, Business/Corporate since 2011
- Ranked in Chambers USA* under Corporate/Mergers & Acquisitions
- Selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers* since 2008
News
- 21 Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. Attorneys Recognized as 2025 Best Lawyers® Award Recipients
- Ten Attorneys from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Ranked in Chambers USA Guide 2024
- Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Attorneys Selected as 2024 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- Twenty-Two GH&C Attorneys Recognized in the 2024 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®
- Ten Attorneys from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Ranked in Chambers USA Guide 2023
- Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Attorneys Selected as 2023 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- 24 Lawyers from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. Were Recognized in the 2023 Edition of the Best Lawyers in America®
- Eleven Attorneys from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Ranked in Chambers USA Guide 2022
- Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Attorneys Selected as 2022 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla is No. 1 M&A Advisor to Insurance Brokers for Second Year in a Row
- Several GH&C Attorneys Named "Monmouth County's Top Lawyers 2021"
- 24 Lawyers from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P. C. Were Recognized in the 2022 Edition of The Best Lawyers in America®
- Eleven Attorneys from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Ranked in Chambers USA Guide 2021
- Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Attorneys Selected as 2021 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- 23 Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla, P.C. Lawyers Named to 2021 Best Lawyers® List
- Ten Attorneys from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Ranked in Chambers USA Guide 2020
- Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Attorneys Selected as 2020 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- 23 Attorneys from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Named to 2020 Best Lawyers® List
- Twelve Attorneys from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Ranked in Chambers USA Guide 2019
- Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Attorneys Selected as 2019 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- 22 Attorneys from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Named to 2019 Best Lawyers® List
- Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Attorneys Selected as 2018 New Jersey Super Lawyers and Rising Stars
- 22 Attorneys from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Named to 2018 Best Lawyers® List
- Ten Giordano Attorneys Ranked in 2017 Chambers USA
- Twenty One Lawyers From Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Selected For Inclusion In Best Lawyers in America 2014 List
- Sixteen Giordano Attorneys Ranked in 2013 Chambers USA
- 22 Lawyers from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Selected For Inclusion In The Best Lawyers in America
- Sixteen Giordano Attorneys Ranked in Chambers USA
- Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Attorneys Selected As 2012 New Jersey Super Lawyers And Rising Stars
- 20 Lawyers from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Selected for Inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America
- Fifteen Giordano Attorneys Ranked in Chambers USA
- Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Attorneys Selected As 2011 New Jersey Super Lawyers And Rising Stars
- 18 Lawyers from Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla selected for inclusion in The Best Lawyers in America ®
- SEC Amendments Regarding "Smaller Reporting Company" Relief
- SEC Form S-3 Amendment Effective January 28, 2008
- SEC Form S-3 Amendment Effective January 28, 2008
Articles/Publications
- "The North American Cannabis Industry is Slowly Going Public," New Jersey Law Journal, May 31, 2019
- Giordano, Halleran & Ciesla Announced As Finalist For The 12th Annual M&A Advisor Awards
- SEC Amendments Regarding "Smaller Reporting Company" Relief
- "SEC Form S-3 Amendment Effective January 28, 2008"
- "Preparation for the Initial Public Offering" New Jersey Lawyer, April 2007
Seminars/Presentations
- The Limited Liability Company: The Preferred Entity For Real Estate Acquisitions & Development, GH&C Seminar, October 2014
- "Financial Decision Makers: M&A, IPO, Succession Planning & Strategic Alliance," CAINJ's Fall Business and Networking Conference, September 19, 2012