Lowenstein Sandler Explained

Firm Name:	Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Headquarters:	New York, New York Roseland, New Jersey
Num Offices:	5
Num Attorneys:	350+
Key People:	Gary M. Wingens, Chairman and Managing Partner^[1]
Revenue:	(2021)
Company Type:	Limited liability partnership

Lowenstein Sandler is a New Jersey based American law firm with additional offices in New York, Palo Alto, New Jersey, Utah, and Washington, D.C. The firm has approximately 350 attorneys and has been described as "well connected" politically within New Jersey.^{[2] [3] [4]}

History

The firm was founded in 1961^[5] and was based in Newark, New Jersey.^[6] One of the firm's founders was Newark-born Alan V. Lowenstein who was also a leader of Newark's charter reform movement.^[7] In the early 1980s, it had 67 lawyers and a staff of 150, but moved to Roseland, New Jersey after a four-year decision-making process.

In 1994, firm attorney Faith Hochberg became the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey.^[8] In 2003, the firm promoted African-American David L. Harris, a one-time "radical", to head its litigation department.^[9] In 2004, the firm represented creditors in the reorganization of Interstate Bakeries, the maker of Wonder bread, Twinkies, Devil Dogs; this case was considered to be one of the largest bankruptcy proceedings in the country.^[10]

The firm handles legal work relating to real estate auctions^[11] and decisions about whether a business should go public.^[12] On one occasion, attorneys tabulated stockholder votes^[13]

In 2008, the firm opened an office in Silicon Valley, California, to expand its law practice in venture capital and technology.^[14] In 2009, the firm had offices in New York City^[15] and Palo Alto, California, while maintaining its office in Roseland, New Jersey.^[16] In 2014, the firm opened its Washington, D.C., office.^[17] In 2017, Lowenstein moved its Roseland office to new facilities.^[18]

In 2018, the firm conducted an internal investigation of the Dallas Mavericks and uncovered "numerous instances of sexual harassment and other improper workplace conduct within the Mavericks organization" over the preceding two decades.^[19]

Recognitions

In 2019, the National Law Journal ranked Lowenstein 145th in the United States based on size.^[20] The firm placed 103rd on The American Lawyer's 2022 Am Law 200 ranking.^[20] On the 2021 Global 200 survey, Lowenstein Sandler ranked as the 144th highest grossing law firm in the world.^[20]

Staff

Thirty-six of the firm's lawyers (across 11 practice areas) are listed in "Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business."^[21]

Controversies

• In 1988, a judge ordered one Lowenstein attorney to step in to replace an ill lawyer for a reputed organized-crime leader, since Lowenstein had been involved in pre-trial work on the case. The lawyer defied the order, claiming that he couldn't do it because it would require reading a 27,000-page transcript, litigating without having established a relationship with the jury, and having to interrupt his work with five other clients.^[22] Attorney Matthew P. Boylan told the judge "I refuse" and this statement resulted in a contempt of court charge, including fines, and a running battle covered in newspapers.^[22] The contempt charge was upheld through appeals, and the firm ended up paying the fines.^[23]
• In 2000, a respected 45-member law firm broke up and 14 lawyers defected to Lowenstein Sandler. These defections led to a lawsuit against Lowenstein by the other firm's ex-partners.^[24] Lowenstein settled the case on the eve of the trial.
• Zulima V. Farber, a Lowenstein partner who became New Jersey's attorney general,^[25] resigned in 2006 after an investigation found she had acted improperly by aiding a companion during a routine traffic stop.^[15]
• In 2006, the firm agreed with a state supreme court committee decision to ban attorney advertising using the term Super Lawyer as promulgated by a local magazine.^[26]
• In 2010, Judge Ellen Koblitz of the New Jersey Superior Court found that the firm, along with co-counsel Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, had filed and prosecuted frivolous litigation involving Ronald Perelman's in-laws and ordered the firms to pay $1.96 million in attorneys' fees to the defendants.^[27] However, on appeal, this decision was overturned and the sanctions order reversed.^[28]

Notable lawyers and alumni

• Matthew Boxer, former New Jersey State Comptroller
• Zulima Farber, former New Jersey Attorney General (2006)
• Faith Hochberg, former United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey (1999-2015)
• Elie Honig, former assistant United States attorney^[29]
• Shavar Jeffries, Newark politician
• Kei Komuro, associate, husband of former Japanese princess Mako Komuro
• Paul Matey, judge, U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit^[30]
• Rob Menendez, member of the United States Congress, son of Senator Bob Menendez
• Lewis J. Paper, author
• Matthew Platkin, current New Jersey Attorney General
• Christopher Porrino, former New Jersey Attorney General (2016-2018)
• Ted Wells, criminal defense lawyer
• Freda L. Wolfson, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey

Notes and References

1. Web site: Gary M. Wingens Our Lawyers Lowenstein Sandler LLP.
2. News: KEN BELSON. February 27, 2005. INSIDE THE NEWS; Ebbers May Testify. But Should He?. The New York Times. 2009-09-11.
3. News: Debra Galant. August 27, 2000. JERSEY; Black Hats and Vice Presidents. The New York Times. 2009-09-11.
4. News: June 27, 2009. Short Hills lawyer chairs Social Justice Gala. The Newark Star-Ledger / nj.com / Independent Press. 2009-09-11.
5. News: ALFONSO A. NARVAEZ. September 11, 1983. COUNTRY NEIGHBOR LURING AWAY PROFESSIONAL OFFICES FROM NEWARK. The New York Times. 2009-09-11. Newark had been home to the law firm of Lowenstein, Sandler, Brochin, Kohl, Fisher, Boylan & Meanor since 1938....
6. News: JERRY GRAY. February 8, 1994. Treasury Official Is Attorney Pick For New Jersey. The New York Times. 2009-09-11.
7. News: May 10, 2007. N.J. lawyer held U. of C. degree -- ALAN V. LOWENSTEIN 1913-2007. Chicago Sun-Times. dead. 2009-09-11. https://web.archive.org/web/20121026135533/http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-5897424.html. October 26, 2012.
8. News: BARBARA STEWART. June 25, 1995. Filling Some Very Big Shoes. The New York Times. 2009-09-11.
9. News: Miller. Jonathan. August 31, 2003. IN PERSON; From Agitated To Agitator To Litigator. The New York Times. 2009-09-11.
10. News: JOHN HOLL. October 10, 2004. BRIEFINGS: LAW; THAT'S A LOT OF TWINKIES. The New York Times. 2009-09-11.
11. News: AMY CORTESE. February 21, 2009. Commercial Auctions Expected to Rise. The New York Times. 2009-09-11.
12. News: Claudia H. Deutsch. January 26, 2005. For more small companies, pros of delisting outweigh cons. The New York Times. 2009-09-11.
13. News: April 30, 2009. AROTECH CORPORATION. The New York Times / SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION -- SCHEDULE 14A. 2009-09-11.
14. News: Fitzgerald. Beth. May 19, 2008. Lowenstein Sandler expands in California. NJ.com.
15. News: Larsen. Tim. MANSNERUS. LAURA. CHEN. DAVID W.. August 16, 2006. New Jersey Attorney General Quits -- Zulima V. Farber, accompanied by Gov. Jon S. Corzine, announced her resignation last night in Trenton. She said that staying on would cause too much of a disruption. The New York Times.
16. News: Lease to Lowenstein Sandler LLP in Roseland, NJ. Loeb & Loeb.
17. News: New York law firm Lowenstein Sandler opens Washington office . 2014-08-12 . 2014-08-08 . Catherine Ho . . Washington, D.C. . 0190-8286 . 1330888409.
18. Web site: Lowenstein Sandler opens new office in Roseland - NJBIZ. August 2, 2017.
19. Web site: Investigative Report Alleges Decades of Misconduct Inside Dallas Mavericks Front Office. 2020-11-01. NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth. en-US.
20. Web site: Lowenstein Sandler Law.com International . . July 9, 2022.
21. Web site: Lowenstein Sandler LLP, USA Chambers Profiles.
22. News: ROBERT HANLEY. Lawyer Held In Contempt At Mob Trial. The New York Times. March 1, 1988. 2009-09-11.
23. News: DONALD JANSON. Jersey Lawyer Loses Appeal of Contempt Finding. The New York Times. March 10, 1988. 2009-09-11.
24. News: Tort Claims From New Jersey Law Firm Breakup Must Be Arbitrated Public policy benefit of arbitration trumps any vagueness in clause. New Jersey Law Journal. December 4, 2001. 2009-09-11.
25. News: JOSH BENSON. ON POLITICS; A Lukewarm Reception To Corzine's Transition. The New York Times. January 15, 2006. 2009-09-11.
26. News: LAURA MANSNERUS. Lawyer Ads Cannot Tout 'Super' Status. The New York Times. July 22, 2006. 2009-09-11.
27. Web site: Lat. David. A Jersey Judge Benchslaps Paul Weiss and Lowenstein Sandler — Hard. 2020-11-01. Above the Law. August 27, 2010. en-US.
28. Web site: October 03. Mary Pat Gallagher . PM. 2013 at 07:26. Lowenstein Sandler and Paul Weiss Escape Sanctions in Perelman Case. 2020-11-01. Law.com. en.
29. Elie Honig, Former AUSA, Southern District of New York, and Former Director of New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice, Joins Lowenstein Sandler. Lowenstein Sandler. June 4, 2018. January 10, 2023.
30. Web site: Journal. A. B. A.. Trump has filled 1 in 5 appellate judgeships now that Neomi Rao has been confirmed to DC Circuit. 2020-11-01. ABA Journal. en.