Bruce P. Merenstein Noted as Young Lawyer Who Played Key Role in Barnes Foundation Matter

Schnader attorney Bruce P. Merenstein was prominently featured in the “Young Lawyers” supplement to The Legal Intelligencer in its front-page story, “Battle for the Barnes: Center City Associates Fought on Both Sides of the Art Collection Dispute.”

The article notes that Bruce and Paul Quinones both “played instrumental roles for the opposing legal team involved in the case,” although it states that neither had much background in art-related litigation or trusts and estates law prior to working on the Barnes matter.

Bruce is one of a handful of Schnader attorneys who practice appellate law, according to the article, but in preparation for the rounds of hearings held on the Barnes matter, Bruce bulked up on trusts and nonprofit corporation law, educating himself on the applicable statutes, and worked with the Barnes Foundation’s archival staff, poring over documents in search of something that would shed light on Dr. Barnes’ true intentions in establishing his foundation.

The Barnes matter also offered Bruce the opportunity to test his courtroom legs. “I don’t think I’d ever been in a courtroom before,” he joked, noting that he has now “caught the litigation bug” because of his involvement in the matter and is now involved in two trial cases. “It certainly doesn’t hurt one’s career to be associated with such a high-profile case,” said Bruce. “But to me, it was just an experience like no other, because of both the subject matter and the personalities involved.”

The article also notes that Judge Arlin Adams, Schnader Chairman Ralph G. Wellington and Schnader partner Carl A. Solano were on the firm team handling the case.