January 08, 2021

NAME: Esther Omoloyin

NEW JOB TITLE: Princeton, New Jersey-based co-chair, national workers compensation practice, Goldberg Segalla LLP

PREVIOUS POSITION: Princeton, New Jersey-based head of workers compensation practice, Goldberg Segalla LLP

INDUSTRY OUTLOOK: The practice of law has weathered many storms and will continue to do so. Some areas of law heat up or cool down with changes in the economy, but workers compensation is an area of law that is always steady. When the economy is strong, there are more employees in the workforce, resulting in more claims. You might expect that in a weak economy, workers compensation claims would decrease; however, claims tend to remain steady or even increase when the economy is not doing well.

GOALS FOR NEW POSITION: In this new role, I plan to partner with my co-chairs, Damon Gruber and Sean McKinley, to take our group to the next level. They, along with respective state leaders, have done a phenomenal job of expanding Goldberg Segalla’s workers compensation group from New York into nine other states: New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Maryland, North Carolina, Florida, Illinois, Missouri and California. Our next steps include expanding our strength and teams in those states, and eventually developing teams in other states. My goal is to continue to grow a larger national practice that can truly meet the needs of the country’s largest employers wherever they do business and face claims.

CHALLENGES FACING THE INDUSTRY: COVID-19 has been a big challenge for the workers compensation industry in New Jersey and across the country as court hearings ground to a halt nationally. However, as we look around months later, most states have handled the new climate well and adopted to the new environment.

FIRST EXPERIENCE IN THE INDUSTRY JOB MARKET: After my clerkship with the New Jersey Appellate Division, I worked in the workers compensation department of a different New Jersey firm, and while I enjoyed workers compensation, I knew I had not found my work home and family yet. It wasn’t until I joined Goldberg Segalla to start the New Jersey workers compensation team seven years ago that I found that home and family.

ADVICE: Be intentional about your career and where you want to take it. Most people don’t start out in their dream job, but you can work your way there. I think it’s important to remember that money isn’t everything. I always say that it’s important to pick a job and area that you enjoy, and make sure that you surround yourself with good people. I have practiced workers compensation my entire career, but I enjoy it so much better at Goldberg Segalla.

OUTSIDE THE INDUSTRY, A DREAM JOB: My dream job would be to travel the world, enjoy the cuisine, and write about my journeys and the food.

COLLEGE MAJOR: I was an accounting major and I went to law school with the intention of becoming a tax attorney.

LOOKING FORWARD TO: I am most looking forward to working with more of my colleagues outside of New Jersey.

FAVORITE MEAL: I love a good steak with potatoes and mushrooms.

BOOK: “Half of a Yellow Sun,” by Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie

HOBBIES: I enjoy Zumba, catching up on the latest TV shows (or watching reruns of “The Office”), and hiking.

TV SHOW: My favorite TV show is “The Office.” There are many laugh-out-loud moments in the show.

ON A SATURDAY AFTERNOON: I most enjoy spending time with my husband. It doesn’t matter whether we are shopping, hiking or cleaning the house. Fine, maybe not cleaning the house.