Beyond the Recognition: John Shahdanian on Super Lawyers, Professional Respect & Client Service

John L. Shahdanian II, chair of the Labor & Employment Law Group at Trenk Isabel Siddiqi & Shahdanian, has been included in New Jersey Super Lawyers® annually since 2009. In 2027, he and fellow firm directors Richard D. Trenk and Asaad K. Siddiqi were also named to the “Top 100 New Jersey Super Lawyers” list.

Here, John discusses the significance of the recognition, the work behind a professional reputation and the firm’s commitment to its clients.

Q: Super Lawyers incorporates peer nominations, independent research and peer evaluations into its selection process. What makes that recognition meaningful to you?

A: Other lawyers understand the demands of this profession. They know the preparation a difficult matter requires, the judgment involved in advising a client and the importance of being both a strong advocate and someone whose word can be trusted. That gives recognition within the legal community particular meaning.

I appreciate being included because a professional reputation takes time to establish. It develops through the work you do, how you handle yourself under pressure and the respect you show clients and colleagues along the way. Those are things I care about deeply.

Q: You have been included in New Jersey Super Lawyers annually since 2009. What does that continuity mean to you as your practice has evolved?

A: It is gratifying, particularly because labor and employment law continually asks us to adapt. Employers face new legal requirements, changing workplace expectations and decisions that can have significant consequences for their organizations and employees.

Experience matters, but so does staying curious and engaged. I want to bring clients the benefit of what I have learned while continuing to question assumptions and understand what their circumstances require today. Sustained recognition is meaningful to me in the context of that ongoing work.

Q: The American Bar Association’s 2025 survey counted nearly 40,000 resident active attorneys in New Jersey. Against that backdrop, what does inclusion in the 2027 New Jersey Super Lawyers Top 100 list mean to you?

A: It puts the recognition into perspective. New Jersey has a substantial legal community with many accomplished attorneys, so being included in the Top 100 list is particularly gratifying. I have spent my career building relationships and a professional reputation here, which makes this recognition especially meaningful to me.

It also prompts me to think about the work behind a career: the difficult matters, the clients who have entrusted me with consequential decisions and the colleagues whose insight has helped me become a better attorney. I am grateful for all of that.

For me, the most satisfying part is bringing that experience back to our clients—helping them assess a complicated situation, understand their options and move forward with confidence. That is where the value of a career spent practicing law becomes tangible.

Q: You, Richard Trenk and Asaad Siddiqi are all included in the 2027 New Jersey Super Lawyers Top 100 list. What makes sharing that recognition with two fellow firm leaders particularly meaningful?

A: I have the benefit of seeing the thought and preparation Richard and Asaad bring to their work, and I value their judgment enormously. Being included alongside them is especially gratifying because my respect for them comes from working together and seeing their commitment to clients firsthand.

Our practices bring different perspectives to the table, and that is valuable when a client’s issue extends beyond one area of law. Having colleagues you trust to ask the right questions, challenge your thinking and contribute their experience makes a real difference.

Sharing this recognition is a welcome opportunity to acknowledge that talent – and the collaborative approach we want to encourage throughout Trenk Isabel Siddiqi & Shahdanian.

Q: For a prospective client, what useful information can recognition by Super Lawyers provide when choosing counsel?

A: It can provide a useful starting point by highlighting an attorney’s professional recognition and achievements. Super Lawyers evaluates candidates through a process that includes independent research and peer input, so there is substance behind the selection.

The next step is a conversation. Has the attorney handled the kinds of issues you face? Do they understand your priorities? Can they explain the options clearly and give you a realistic assessment? Clients should feel comfortable asking those questions. A credential can introduce you to an attorney; the conversation helps you understand how that attorney will work with you.

Q: When a client comes to you having seen your New Jersey Super Lawyers recognition, what do you want them to experience in the working relationship?

A: I want them to feel that they have an advisor who understands what is at stake and will give them a clear answer, including when the answer is difficult.

In employment matters, a client may need to make a decision about an employee complaint, a leave request or a potential termination while continuing to run the organization. They need to understand the legal risk, the practical implications and the available choices. My responsibility is to help them work through those considerations and decide how to proceed.

That also means being accessible, explaining the reasoning behind a recommendation and keeping the client informed. Those everyday interactions are where confidence in counsel develops.

Q: The 2027 New Jersey Super Lawyers list includes eight of the firm’s partners, including all five directors, while four additional attorneys appear on the Rising Stars list. What does that breadth of recognition mean to you as a firm leader?

A: It is gratifying to see recognition reach across our leadership and attorneys who are building their careers. I value the experience our partners bring, and I am equally invested in helping the next generation develop the judgment and confidence that clients need from their counsel.

That development happens through meaningful involvement in client matters: working through a difficult question together, discussing why we recommend a particular approach and giving attorneys opportunities to take responsibility with guidance and support.

For our clients, the value is a firm where experience is shared and talent continues to develop. Seeing colleagues at different career stages recognized gives us an opportunity to celebrate their individual achievements and the contributions they make to that shared effort.

Q: What would you most like clients to take away from the firm’s New Jersey Super Lawyers recognition?

A: That we take the work – and the trust clients place in us – seriously.

We appreciate the opportunity to have our attorneys’ professional achievements recognized. We also understand that clients come to us with a problem to solve, a decision to make or an opportunity to pursue. Our focus is on understanding that need and bringing careful preparation, candid advice and practical judgment to the response.

The recognition is meaningful. So is being the person a client calls when the next difficult question arises.

Super Lawyers®, published by Thomson Reuters, selects attorneys through a multiphase process that includes peer nominations, independent research and peer evaluations. The Top 100 lists recognize attorneys receiving the highest overall point totals during the selection process. Learn more about the selection methodology. 

The statewide attorney figure references the American Bar Association’s 2025 National Lawyer Population Survey, which reported 39,670 resident active attorneys in New Jersey.

No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.