Descended from a long line of attorneys, an accomplished lawyer finds time for family, the beach life … and a little rock ’n’ roll

by Laura D.C. Kolnoski • Photos Amesse Photography

Few Monmouth County law firms can claim an 87-year history, much less that they’ve been able to keep the business family-based. At Ansell, Grimm & Aaron, PC, the third and fourth generations are at the helm today, continuing a legal legacy begun by founder Leon Anschelewitz and his longtime law partner, Max Barr, in 1929.

Leon’s grandson Brian Ansell is one of five descendants at the firm, which today employs 40 active attorneys and 98 total employees. Brian serves on the management committee, along with two other partners.

“My grandfather had four sons—David, Robert (my father), Richard, and Jack,” Ansell said. “David, Robert, and Richard all became lawyers and partners in the firm, while Jack is a respected doctor.”

David and Robert are now retired, but Brian and Richard remain active, joined by Mitchell and Allison (David’s children) and Michael (Richard’s son). Mitchell, Allison, and Brian are all partners at the firm; Michael is expected to become a partner one day as well. Brian attributes the firm’s long-term success and growth to the work ethic instilled from the very beginning by Leon.

“We have a strong partnership, with our family at its core, and have had like-minded partners who have the same work ethic,” Ansell said. “We have hired excellent attorneys over the years, many of whom have gone on to great things. We maintain an excellent reputation in the legal community, are truly interested in helping people, and have a strong legacy of pro bono representation, charitable work, and a well-balanced firm in relation to the areas of law which we practice.”

The facts confirm those proud claims. Two years ago, the Ansell family was honored by the Jewish Family & Children’s Services of Monmouth County at its 30th Annual Tribute Dinner for its work in support of more than 150 organizations, institutions, and synagogues throughout New Jersey.

“The JFCS honor was special because it is an organization that does great work in the community,” Ansell said. “I had the honor of speaking on behalf of my family, along with my Uncle Richard and my cousin Mitchell. Our firm as a whole and our partners individually have always been philanthropic; we pride ourselves on that.”

Among Ansell’s higher-profile affiliations is his membership on the board of the Light of Day Foundation, which began in 1998 as a birthday party for Bob Benjamin, an artist manager and music industry veteran who had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. Benjamin, together with musician and concert promoter Tony Pallagrosi (an original member of Southside Johnny and the Asbury Jukes) and musician Joe D’Urso, formed the Light of Day charity, taking its name from the 1987 Bruce Springsteen song of the same name. Benjamin later succumbed to the disease.

“I got involved through Tony Pallagrosi, one of my earliest clients and a dear friend,” said Ansell, who represented Pallagrosi’s Concerts East for years. “The annual Winter fest in January brings activity into Asbury Park during a slower time of year. The main show takes place at the Paramount Theater on Saturday night, attracting great musicians and other stars who come to play. Many smaller, related events during the week-long celebration have attracted great attention at venues throughout Asbury Park.” Appearances by Springsteen at the first official show, which was held at the legendary Stone Pony in 2000, and sporadically since, have helped elevate the event’s profile and attendance.

Today, Light of Day produces some 70 shows each year in 13 countries in North America and Europe, along with Australia. While Ansell downplays his personal interactions with the likes of Springsteen (whom he’s gotten to know), Willie Nile, Garland Jeffries, and the members of Dramarama, he never misses an opportunity to promote the organization. This year’s headliner, he said, will be Jersey’s own Southside Johnny Lyons and his Asbury Jukes. (For information on upcoming shows and participating artists and venues, visit lightofday.org.)

Ansell serves as first vice president of the Monmouth Bar Association and will be its president from 2018 to 2019. The firm also supports the Monmouth Legal Aid Society, the Count Basie Theatre, the Boys and Girls Club of Monmouth County, 180: Turning Lives Around, and the American Red Cross, among other organizations. He lives in the Wayside section of Ocean Township, where he went to high school, graduating in 1982. Ansell also serves on the board of the Hollywood Golf Club in Ocean, and is the co-membership chairman for the Ocean Beach Club in Elberon.

Discretion prevents Ansell from “telling war stories” about his cases, because “we take our responsibility of maintaining our clients’ confidences very seriously. When people ask me what I do, I tell them I am a trial lawyer and litigator, and handle a wide variety of litigation, specializing in plaintiffs’ personal injury and medical malpractice cases [he is a certified civil trial attorney], criminal defense, municipal court, and estate litigation. Having practiced law for 27 years, I sometimes feel like I have seen it all. But every time I feel that way, it seems I see something new, different, challenging, or exciting,” adding that he derives greatest professional satisfaction from helping solve clients’ problems and interacting with colleagues, adversaries, and judges.

The firm’s community ties to Asbury Park are apparent in its advertising, which includes a photo of the famed boardwalk casino. The firm has been located there for some 50 years and still represents the city.

“My strong conviction and affinity for Asbury Park comes from representing the city through its redevelopment and renaissance,” he said. “I grew up going there and appreciate the wonderful rebirth of a beautiful city. It’s great to see the way it happened organically, from Cookman Avenue to the boardwalk and beyond. Old buildings are being restored. Great old architecture is enhanced by new buildings going up, and new people moving in. As a firm, we are very proud of assisting through this transformation.”

During his leisure time, Ansell enjoys the area’s beaches, golf, and restaurants with his wife of 18 years, Roseanne, who is the assistant superintendent at Monmouth/Ocean Educational Services in Tinton Falls, and his daughter Ava, 8, a third grader at Ranney School in Tinton Falls. The athletic Ava attends and swims for the Seashore Day Camp swim team during the summer and for the Monmouth Barracudas Swim Club. “Ava also takes karate,” Ansell said. “She is my greatest joy!”

Ansell received his bachelor’s degree from George Washington University with Distinction and Special Honors in Political Science. He graduated cum laude from the Dickinson School of Law, where he was a member of the Dickinson Law Review, the Appellate Moot Court Board, and the National Moot Court Trial Team. He formerly served as a law clerk to the Honorable Lawrence M. Lawson, the recently retired Monmouth County assignment judge, and is a former municipal prosecutor for Englishtown Borough. He is an active member of both the Monmouth County and the New Jersey State bar associations, as well as for the American and New Jersey Associations for Justice. In addition to its Ocean location, Ansell, Grimm & Aaron has offices in Princeton, Woodland Park, White Plains, New York, and Newtown, Pennsylvania.

Ansell, Grimm & Aaron
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