Chambers USA’s 2026 Guide Ranks Friedman Kaplan’s White Collar Defense Group in New York and New Jersey
In its recently released 2026 guide, Chambers USA has ranked Friedman Kaplan’s white collar defense practice in both the “Elite” section of its New York listing and in its New Jersey table, noting the firm “possesses extensive expertise and deep experience handling all aspects of criminal enforcement proceedings and government investigations.” Additionally, partners Mary Mulligan, Eric Corngold, Mala Ahuja Harker, Rahul Agarwal, and Tim Haggerty are each recognized individually in this year’s white collar defense and government investigations listings.
New York
Friedman Kaplan again achieves a Band 3 listing in the Elite table of the New York guide, with Chambers’ commentary noting “Friedman Kaplan lawyers are relationship-driven, responsive, and persuasive advocates for their clients” and “incredibly sophisticated” with “amazing creativity and strategic vision.” Further, four firm partners are recognized individually in the New York section of the guide.
Department co-head Mary Mulligan is recognized in Band 1 of the New York white collar practitioner table for the fourth straight year. Sources comment that Mary is “really smart, thoughtful, and thinks about long-term consequences,” and is “very creative and strategic.” Commentators observe that department co-head Eric Corngold offers “terrific insight into problems and thinks of solutions that most other lawyers would not” while being “a very sophisticated, well-respected lawyer with strong credibility with the government.” Sources commend Mala Ahuja Harker’s “level of service, sophistication, and strategic thinking,” observing that she “knows exactly the right tone and arguments to make to the government.” Tim Haggerty is applauded for his “great experience and judgment in strategizing a defense for his client” and for being a “good strategist and fantastic team player.”
New Jersey
For the second straight year, Friedman Kaplan is ranked in the New Jersey white collar defense and government investigations table. Sources for Chambers’ New Jersey research remark that the team has “a really keen sense of how to protect its clients but also a broader sense on the business’ perspective” with “very experienced and talented attorneys who have both the trial and investigative experience to handle all types of matters efficiently.”
In addition to the firm’s New Jersey recognition, both Mala Ahuja Harker and Rahul Agarwal are ranked individually in this year’s New Jersey table, with Mala securing a Band 1 ranking for the second year in a row and Rahul rising a band within the listing. Mala’s “incredible advocacy that resulted in a favorable outcome” is praised, and she is noted as “very sensitive of business realities.” Sources describe Rahul as “a talented and sophisticated lawyer” who is “very easy to work alongside.”
The firm’s commercial litigation practice is also ranked both nationally and in New York’s “Elite” table in the 2026 Chambers USA guide, along with individual commercial disputes rankings for four additional Friedman Kaplan partners. More information about those recognitions can be viewed here.
Chambers is a leading legal directory that undertakes extensive, independent research in ranking law firms and individual lawyers. Among the factors Chambers assesses are client service, commercial vision and business understanding, diligence, value, and depth of team. A description of the selection methodology can be found here. (No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.)
