The past two months have been a significant transition for our firm, which included adding two new attorneys to our team and three paralegals from the firm Rogers, Habas & Eisen, P.C. Today I would like to highlight the attorneys on our team. We are thrilled with how the team has gelled and are confident in the array of services that we offer our clients with our expanded team!
Laura M. Catina, Esq., Managing Partner
I am the founding and Managing Partner of Catina Law, PLLC. I have been practicing for 22 years. In 2019, after seventeen years as a litigator with both a large international law firm and smaller boutique law firms, I decided to open my own practice. Shortly thereafter, in 2020, I joined with Amy M. Mara as a partner in Catina & Mara, PLLC and in July, 2024, I transitioned to leading my own team of attorneys and paralegals with Catina Law, PLLC.
My practice includes commercial litigation, as well as construction litigation, corporate law and residential and commercial real estate. I have represented both individuals and entities in all aspects of business disputes, including contracts, partnership disputes, and employment litigation, as well as class action defense. I handle corporate transactional matters such as the review and creation of contracts and act in a general counsel capacity for many of my business clients. I believe that my litigation experience has benefitted me in both my corporate and real estate practice, having now successfully closed hundreds of transactions.
I am licensed in New York, New Jersey and Pennsylvania and I practice in state and federal courts in New York, New Jersey state courts, as well as arbitrations and mediations, in commercial and construction disputes.
I graduated from The Pennsylvania State University in 1999 with a Bachelor of Science in Administration of Justice and received my Juris Doctor from New York Law School in 2002. I served as a member of the Board of Directors of the Rockland County Bar Association from 2016 through June 2024. As a member of the Board of Directors, I also served as the Treasurer for three years, and the Vice President for two years. I am currently a member of the Judiciary Screening Committee, the Memorials Committee and the Personnel Committee and continue to be involved in various aspects of the Bar Association.
Alejandra Silva-Exias, Esq., Associate
Alejandra joined Catina Law PLLC in 2022 and represents clients in a wide range of civil litigation matters including business and real property disputes. In June 2024, Alejandra was appointed as Town Justice in the Town of Ramapo where she hears matters involving the prosecution of misdemeanors, violations, infractions, civil actions and small claims. She is the first Latinx person to serve in this capacity.
From 2016-2023, Alejandra served as Legislative Counsel to the Rockland County Legislature and from 2011 through 2016, she worked as a housing attorney with the Legal Aid Society of Rockland County representing hundreds of clients in eviction defense and mortgage defense proceedings.
Alejandra’s commitment to service extends to her work in the community. From 2016-2024, she served as a Tenant Representative on the Rockland County Rent Guidelines Board. During her tenure on the Board, she successfully spearheaded an effort to keep rents affordable in rent stabilized units throughout the county. From 2017-2019, Alejandra served as the Chair of the Rockland County Bar Association’s Immigration Committee, forging a partnership with Catholic Charities Community Services, to train, mentor, and provid technical assistance on pro bono immigration cases throughout the County.
Alejandra originally hails from Jackson Heights, Queens and moved to Rockland County in 2012. She graduated from Vassar College in 2001 with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Hispanic Studies, and later studied law at the University of Connecticut School of Law where she graduated in 2010 with a Juris Doctor and a Certificate in Law and Public Policy. She is a member of both the New York and Connecticut bars. She has been married to her husband, Chris, for twelve years and they have two children. She is the daughter of immigrant parents from Colombia and Venezuela and the first in her family to obtain a law degree. In 2018, she graduated from Leadership Rockland and received the Rockland Bar Association’s Liberty Bell Award for her work through the Immigration Committee.
Gregg L. Verrilli, Esq., Of Counsel
Gregg is a seasoned litigation attorney with extensive experience in commercial litigation and a proven track record of guiding clients through complex legal matters. From 2009 to 2018, Gregg worked for Rogers, Habas & Eisen, P.C., a boutique general practice law firm in Rockland County, where he specialized in construction disputes, business litigation, and real estate matters. In 2018, Gregg joined a larger firm in New Jersey that represented sophisticated mortgage lenders and servicers in a wide range of disputes, including mortgage foreclosures, title insurance claims, and quiet title actions.
Throughout his career, Gregg has demonstrated excellence both in his legal writing and as an advocate in the courtroom. He has authored numerous appellate briefs and has regularly appeared in State and Federal Court to argue motions, appeals, and to act as primary trial counsel.
Gregg earned his Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Criminal Justice from the University of Delaware. He is currently licensed to practice law in both New York and New Jersey.
In 2021, Gregg also obtained real estate licenses in New York and New Jersey and continues to represent clients in residential and commercial real estate transactions.
Gregg is a volunteer member of his Town’s Recreation Board and is Vice President of the Northern Valley (NJ) Chamber of Commerce.
Megan E. Hodes, Esq., Associate
Megan has built a well-regarded reputation for successfully resolving highly contested matters, from the initial filing through to conclusion, by tailoring her approach to strategically address her clients’ legal needs and goals. Whether a matter can be settled out of court or requires court litigation to successfully resolve, Megan is fully prepared to protect her clients through zealous advocacy and out-of-the-box solutions.
Throughout the entire legal process, Megan ensures that her clients are educated and informed of their rights and options in order to make an informed decision about the best course of action. In every case, Ms. Hodes is a tenacious and relentless advocate who will fight for her clients.
Megan earned her Juris Doctor from Pace University School of Law (now known as the Elisabeth School of Law at Pace University). Additionally, she holds a Master of Arts in Criminal Justice from Rutgers University School of Criminal Justice, a diploma in Paralegal Studies from New York University, and a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communication from Boston University.
Megan is licensed to represent clients in New Jersey State Court and in Federal Court in the State of New Jersey. Based on how many years she has been practicing, Megan is in the process of obtaining her New York Bar License. Megan has also been named as a New Jersey Super Lawyer Rising Stars in 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Angela Pilla-Soares, Esq., Of Counsel
Angela is a seasoned New York Attorney and Florida Licensed Title Agent with over 20 years of extensive experience in the real estate industry and is focused on providing top-tier legal representation in New York and real estate settlement services in Florida. Throughout her career she has successfully closed thousands of transactions, equipping her with a deep understanding of the needs of sellers, buyers, realtors, and lenders. With a keen ability to assess complicated situations, she specializes in crafting tailored solutions that add real value to all parties involved. She is also skilled in working with high-end clients, managing large and complex projects, building solid relationships, effectively and creatively solving complex issues, and producing results under stress all with impeccable customer service.
Angela graduated from the University of Albany in 1999 and received her Juris Doctor from New York Law School in 2022.
To check out more about our firm and our team, please take a look at the other pages on our website. We look forward to continuing to work together to serve our clients, and our community!