Lowenstein Sandler
Encyclopedia
Lowenstein Sandler is an AmLaw 200 corporate law firm with offices in New York, Palo Alto and Roseland, NJ. In 2007, the firm was ranked 157th largest in the United States in terms of attorney headcount by the National Law Journal, and 84th in profit per attorney by the AmLaw 200 survey. Many sources describe the law firm as one of New Jersey's largest. It had 250 attorneys in February 2009. It provides legal services including bankruptcy, business
including legal matters about white collar criminals
as well as strategic advice for businesses, litigation, corporate, real estate (including zoning matters,) and trusts and estates. The firm has been described as "well connected" politically and partners have been appointed to important positions in state government or work on important state-business cooperatives such as the New Jersey Meadowlands
.
. One of the firm's founders was Newark-born Alan V. Lowenstein who was also a leader of Newark's charter reform movement. 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, one of the firm's attorneys, Faith Hochberg, became the United States attorney for New Jersey, and succeeded Michael Chertoff
at this position. In 2003, the firm was noted for promoting African-American David L. Harris, a one-time "radical", to head its litigation department.
In 2004, the firm prevailed over six other competitors to represent 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.
The firm does a variety of corporate work; on one occasion, attorneys tabulated stockholder votes; it also handles legal work relating to real estate auctions. as well as decisions about whether a business should go public or not.
In February 2008, managing director Michael Rodburg resigned after a successful thirteen years of service. In 2008, the firm opened an office in Silicon Valley
, California, to expand its law practice in venture capital and technology.
In 2009, the firm had branch offices in New York City and Palo Alto, California
and had its main headquarters in Roseland, New Jersey
Its headquarters occupies 257107 square feet (23,886 m²) of office space in several buildings in Roseland.
Each September the firm typically hires 18 new associates, although in 2008, that number was reduced to 15. The economic downturn caused the firm, in February 2009, to lay off eight percent of its workforce; a company spokesperson was quoted as blaming the "rapidly slowing economy and slowing demand for legal services." New hires were paid $125,000 per year in 2007. This rate was raised to $140,000 in 2008. Incoming lawyers (in 2007) came from law schools such as Boston University
, Cornell, University of Pennsylvania
, Rutgers, Seton Hall, William & Mary, New York University
and George Washington
. Half the class had judicial clerkships. It offers bonus pay for associates who bring in business, do particularly good work or lots of it. The firm bills by the hour. The firm has more than 50 lawyers in its New York office.
including legal matters about white collar criminals
White-collar crime
Within the field of criminology, white-collar crime has been defined by Edwin Sutherland as "a crime committed by a person of respectability and high social status in the course of his occupation" . Sutherland was a proponent of Symbolic Interactionism, and believed that criminal behavior was...
as well as strategic advice for businesses, litigation, corporate, real estate (including zoning matters,) and trusts and estates. The firm has been described as "well connected" politically and partners have been appointed to important positions in state government or work on important state-business cooperatives such as the New Jersey Meadowlands
New Jersey Meadowlands
New Jersey Meadowlands, also known as the Hackensack Meadowlands after the primary river flowing through it, is a general name for the large ecosystem of wetlands in northeast New Jersey in the United States. The Meadowlands are known for being the site of large landfills and decades of...
.
History
The firm was founded in 1961 and was based in Newark, New JerseyNewark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
. One of the firm's founders was Newark-born Alan V. Lowenstein who was also a leader of Newark's charter reform movement. In the early 1980s, it had 67 lawyers and a staff of 150, but moved to Roseland, New Jersey
Roseland, New Jersey
Roseland is a borough in western Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 5,819...
after a four-year decision-making process. In 1994, one of the firm's attorneys, Faith Hochberg, became the United States attorney for New Jersey, and succeeded Michael Chertoff
Michael Chertoff
Michael Chertoff was the second United States Secretary of Homeland Security under President George W. Bush and co-author of the USA PATRIOT Act. He previously served as a judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, as a federal prosecutor, and as assistant U.S. Attorney...
at this position. In 2003, the firm was noted for promoting African-American David L. Harris, a one-time "radical", to head its litigation department.
In 2004, the firm prevailed over six other competitors to represent creditors in the reorganization of Interstate Bakeries, the maker of Wonder bread
Wonder Bread
Wonder Bread is the name of three North American brands of white bread: One produced by George Weston Bakeries in Canada, another by Hostess Brands in the United States, and the third by Grupo Bimbo in Mexico.- United States :...
, Twinkies, Devil Dogs
Devil Dogs
The Devil Dogs were a New York-based garage punk band, started in 1989 by Andy Gortler , Steve Baise and Paul Corio .Two members of the Devil Dogs had been members of the Rat Bastards when that band dissolved during the recording of an album; they regrouped as The Devil Dogs and continued recording...
; this case was considered to be one of the largest bankruptcy proceedings in the country.
The firm does a variety of corporate work; on one occasion, attorneys tabulated stockholder votes; it also handles legal work relating to real estate auctions. as well as decisions about whether a business should go public or not.
In February 2008, managing director Michael Rodburg resigned after a successful thirteen years of service. In 2008, the firm opened an office in Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley
Silicon Valley is a term which refers to the southern part of the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California in the United States. The region is home to many of the world's largest technology corporations...
, California, to expand its law practice in venture capital and technology.
In 2009, the firm had branch offices in New York City and Palo Alto, California
Palo Alto, California
Palo Alto is a California charter city located in the northwest corner of Santa Clara County, in the San Francisco Bay Area of California, United States. The city shares its borders with East Palo Alto, Mountain View, Los Altos, Los Altos Hills, Stanford, Portola Valley, and Menlo Park. It is...
and had its main headquarters in Roseland, New Jersey
Roseland, New Jersey
Roseland is a borough in western Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 5,819...
Its headquarters occupies 257107 square feet (23,886 m²) of office space in several buildings in Roseland.
Staff
Thirty of the firm's attorneys are listed in "Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business" Several are listed in Best Lawyers in America.Each September the firm typically hires 18 new associates, although in 2008, that number was reduced to 15. The economic downturn caused the firm, in February 2009, to lay off eight percent of its workforce; a company spokesperson was quoted as blaming the "rapidly slowing economy and slowing demand for legal services." New hires were paid $125,000 per year in 2007. This rate was raised to $140,000 in 2008. Incoming lawyers (in 2007) came from law schools such as Boston University
Boston University
Boston University is a private research university located in Boston, Massachusetts. With more than 4,000 faculty members and more than 31,000 students, Boston University is one of the largest private universities in the United States and one of Boston's largest employers...
, Cornell, University of Pennsylvania
University of Pennsylvania
The University of Pennsylvania is a private, Ivy League university located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States. Penn is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States,Penn is the fourth-oldest using the founding dates claimed by each institution...
, Rutgers, Seton Hall, William & Mary, New York University
New York University
New York University is a private, nonsectarian research university based in New York City. NYU's main campus is situated in the Greenwich Village section of Manhattan...
and George Washington
George Washington University
The George Washington University is a private, coeducational comprehensive university located in Washington, D.C. in the United States...
. Half the class had judicial clerkships. It offers bonus pay for associates who bring in business, do particularly good work or lots of it. The firm bills by the hour. The firm has more than 50 lawyers in its New York office.
Controversies
- In 1988, a judge ordered one Lowenstein attorney to defend a reputed organized-crime leader, but the lawyer defied the order for several reasons, including having to read a 27,000 page transcript, not having a relationship with the jury, and having to interrupt representation with five other clients. Attorney Matthew P. Boylan told the judge "I refuse" and this statement resulted in fines, an appeal, and a running battle covered in newspapers. But the appeal was denied and fines were levied against the attorney and the firm.
- In 2000, a respected 45-member law firm broke up and 14 lawyers defected to Lowenstein Sandler, and these defections led to further legal battles brought by ex-partners against Lowenstein; as of December 2001, no decision had been reached.
- One Lowenstein Sandler partner became attorney general of New Jersey, but Zulima V. Farber who had a reputation for driving too fast resigned in 2006 after an investigation found she had acted improperly by aiding a companion during a routine traffic stop.
- In 2006, the firm agreed with a state supreme court committee decision to ban attorney advertising which used the term Super Lawyer as promulgated by a local magazine.
- In 2008, the firm sued the US Department of Homeland Security for violating constitutional privacy and due process rights by entering homes without consent or a judicial warrant in pre-dawn "raids." Immigration agents forced their way into homes in the early morning hours, according to the suit.
Pro Bono Work
The firm has provided free legal services for organizations such as New York-based Children's Rights, which is a private child-advocacy organization. In 2003, the firm decided to waive approximately $1 million in legal fees regarding its advocacy of this organization. Several attorneys provided free legal services for the New Jersey Community Development Corporation to establish a halfway house for developmentally disabled adults by helping with such matters as securing financing, acquiring property and negotiating contracts. Litigator Patrick Whalen represented a Trenton police officer in a challenge to the Trenton Police Merit Board's 2000 decision to have him fired for incompetence. He eventually won a ruling that the firing had no basis and the officer was reinstated with backpay. In addition, the firm provides pro-bono work in the area of immigration cases. One attorney, Doug Eakeley, is active with the New Jersey Institute of Social Justice which is a Newark-based advocacy organization for New Jersey's urban areas and residents.Notable lawyers & alumni
- Zulima FarberZulima FarberZulima Farber is the former Attorney General of New Jersey and the first Latina to serve as Acting Governor of New Jersey. She was appointed to the position in 2006 by Governor Jon Corzine...
, former New Jersey Attorney GeneralNew Jersey Attorney GeneralThe Attorney General of New Jersey is a member of the executive cabinet of the state. The office is appointed by the Governor of New Jersey and term limited...
, is now a partner at the firm. - Freda L. Wolfson, judge of the United States District Court for the District of New JerseyUnited States District Court for the District of New JerseyThe United States District Court for the District of New Jersey is the federal district court whose jurisdiction is the state of New Jersey....
, worked at the firm prior to her appointment to the bench. - Ted WellsTed WellsTed Wells is a prominent criminal attorney. A litigation partner at the New York law firm of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP, the National Law Journal has selected Wells as one of America's best white-collar defense attorneys on numerous occasions. Wells received his B.A. from...
, head of litigation at Paul WeissPaul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & GarrisonPaul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP is a law firm headquartered on Sixth Avenue in New York City. The firm has well-noted expertise in its corporate, personal representation, entertainment law and litigation practices, having long been a leader among national litigation firms...
and the 2006 National Law Journal attorney of the year. - Faith Hochberg, who became US Attorney for New Jersey in 1994.