Strategic Leadership Move Aims to Enhance Client Service and Drive Continued Growth in Complex Litigation Solutions
Florham Park, NJ. (Jan. 23, 2026)- Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. announced today that James (Jim) E. Tyrrell, Jr. and Austin Flickstein have been appointed Co-Practice Heads of the firm’s Litigation Practice, a leadership move that reflects the firm’s continued growth, commitment to innovative legal strategies, and a forward-thinking focus on delivering exceptional client service across markets. This appointment emphasizes national experience and innovative leadership, enhancing the firm's capability to manage complex issues while staying agile, strategic, and aligned with clients' business objectives.
James E. Tyrrell, Jr. is a nationally recognized litigator who has served as lead counsel in the country’s highest profile cases including Agent Orange for Monsanto; Y2K for AT&T, Lucent Technologies, and Avaya; and Deepwater Horizon for Seacor. Tyrrell was selected over thirty competing law firms to represent the City of New York and 150 of its contractors in the landmark World Trade Center Litigation. Judge Alvin Hellerstein of the Southern District of New York appointed Tyrrell as liaison counsel for all defendants in the World Trade Center cases. He led the defense of 10,000 separate lawsuits for more than ten years.
Tyrrell is a summa cum laude graduate of the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University and ranked first in his class. He attended Harvard Law School where he was chosen as Best Oralist in Harvard’s prestigious Ames Moot Court competition. Tyrrell served as a Lieutenant in the Navy Judge Advocate General’s Corps and was a law clerk for the Honorable Leonard I. Garth of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
Tyrrell has held senior managerial positions at prominent national law firms. He co-chaired the Global Product Liability and Mass Tort Practice at Latham & Watkins and was the Managing Partner of the firm’s New Jersey office. He was recruited by Patton Boggs, the leading political law firm in Washington, D.C., where he chaired the firm’s Global Product Liability Practice, served as Regional Managing Partner of the firm’s New Jersey and New York offices, and was a member of Patton Boggs’ Executive Committee.
Over his distinguished career, Tyrrell has represented many of the country’s most prominent businesses and institutions including Brown Forman, DaVita, Exxon, General Electric, Glaxo, IDT, Johns Hopkins, and Madison Square Garden. His matters have spanned multiple industries and practice areas including Class Action Litigation, Mass Tort and Catastrophic Loss, Business and Commercial Litigation, Product Liability, Antitrust and Trade Practices, Environmental, and Financial Institutions.
Tyrrell’s numerous professional recognitions include the Best Lawyers in America®, Chambers USA, Lawdragon 500 – Leading Lawyers in America, Super Lawyers, New Jersey Law Journal’s Litigation Department of the Year – Products Liability/Mass Tort, and American Lawyer – Lawyer of the Week.
Tyrrell served as Chairman of the Board for the Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy Syndrome Association. He is a Harvard trained mediator and applies his vast experience to helping clients and others resolve controversies efficiently and with minimum expense.
Austin Flickstein, a principal in the firm’s Florida office, represents the next generation of litigation leadership and plays a vital role in the firm’s growth in the Southeast. Flickstein specializes in commercial litigation and insurance defense, handling matters from pre-suit through trial and appeal. His background includes experience as a Miami-Dade prosecutor, in-house litigation roles, and private practice at a prominent Florida law firm, providing him with a practical, business-oriented approach to dispute resolution.
Flickstein has represented high-profile individuals and businesses in precedent-setting litigation, including his efforts to obtain a dismissal of a lawsuit against pop superstar Madonna. Additionally, he has successfully represented insurance companies dealing with the issues of "soft fraud," which is prevalent in Florida's property insurance market. He has earned a reputation for his strategic advocacy and strong presence in the courtroom. As a skilled relationship builder, Flickstein emphasizes understanding client needs while prioritizing efficiency, attention to detail, and results - values that closely align with the firm’s commitment to exceptional client service and innovation.
A cum laude graduate of the University of Miami School of Law and the University of Florida, Flickstein has been recognized by The Best Lawyers in America® and was previously named a “Ones to Watch” honoree. His appointment highlights the firm’s commitment to developing forward-thinking leaders who understand both the legal and business dimensions of modern litigation.
“Jim and Austin exemplify the balance of experience, innovation, and strategic leadership that defines our firm,” said Frederick Schoenbrodt II, Chair of the Firm’s Management Committee. “Jim brings unparalleled experience and depth in the most complex matters, while Austin represents the future of our litigation practice. Together, they will help us continue to grow thoughtfully while delivering sophisticated, high-value service to our clients.”
As Co-Practice Heads, Tyrrell and Flickstein will collaborate closely with firm leadership to guide the strategic direction of the litigation practice, invest in talent development, and advance innovative approaches that meet the evolving needs of clients nationwide.
Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. is a leading full-service business law firm providing legal services to leading Fortune 500 corporations, privately held companies, investment advisers and brokerage firms, banks, franchises, insurers, non-profits, emerging market and venture capital participants, family offices, and high-net-worth individuals. Bressler's legal services encompass financial institutions and securities, insurance litigation, labor and employment, environmental, trusts and estates, corporate and commercial transactions, family law, charitable organizations, real estate, bankruptcy, business, commercial, fiduciary, and general litigation. With over 125 experienced attorneys, Bressler serves clients across its network of offices in Florham Park, NJ; New York, NY; Birmingham, AL; Fort Lauderdale, FL; Charlotte, NC; Oklahoma City, OK; and Austin, Dallas, and Houston, TX. For more information, please visit www.bressler.com.