Clay Constantinou is Of Counsel in the Administrative Law & Governmental Agencies department at Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A., where he leverages his substantial, existing relationships – both domestically and internationally – to achieve clients’ objectives. Mr. Constantinou has over 35 years of experience practicing law in New Jersey, including his previous tenure as a Shareholder at Wilentz, when he concentrated his practice on all areas of business transactions, corporate and commercial matters and litigation, tort litigation, public finance, banking and administrative law.
Mr. Constantinou has been engaged in a variety of high-profile roles over the years, and currently serves as Senior Advisor to the Chairman of EP Global Energy. From July 1994 to February 1999, he served as the United States Ambassador to Luxembourg, representing the United States during the NATO expansion, European Union enlargement and economic and monetary union. Mr. Constantinou assisted in the negotiations and signed the Mutual Legal Assistance, Double Taxation and Open Skies treaties on behalf of the United States. During the Luxembourg European Union presidency, he led American delegations and participated in negotiations with EU officials on trade and global cooperation issues. He also advised the Clinton Administration on Eastern Mediterranean issues.
Following his diplomatic service, Mr. Constantinou was the Founding Dean of the School of Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University and Of Counsel to Patton Boggs, LLP. In addition, he served as Senior Advisor to the Federal Court appointed Liquidating Trustee in one of the largest international fraud actions resulting in over $250 million recovered for defrauded shareholders.
Results achieved in prior matters are not meant to be a guarantee of success as the facts and legal circumstances vary from matter to matter.
Mr. Constantinou has been and remains an active participant, in civic affairs. He has served as National Co-chair of Finance and a Delegate for the presidential campaigns of the former United States Secretary of State John Kerry in 2004, former United States President Bill Clinton in 1992, and former Governor of Massachusetts Michael Dukakis in 1988.
Honors:
- Doctor of Humane Letters honoris causa, New Jersey City University, 1999
- Gold Medal for Exceptional Services, bestowed by the President of Cyprus Glafcos Clerides, 1999
- Gold Medal for Saint Barnabas the Apostle, bestowed by Archbishop Chrysostomos of Cyprus, 1999
- Ellis Island Medal of Honor, 1995