Lowenstein Sandler is an AmLaw 200 corporate law firm with offices in New York, Palo Alto, New Jersey, Utah, and Washington, D.C. In 2019, the National Law Journal ranked Lowenstein 145th in the United States based on size. The firm placed 107th on The American Lawyer's 2020 Am Law 200 ranking. On the 2019 Global 200 survey, Lowenstein Sandler ranked as the 151st highest grossing law firm in the world. The firm has approximately 350 attorneys and has been described as "well connected" politically. Former partners have been appointed to important positions in state government.
History
The firm was founded in 1961 and was based in Newark, New Jersey. 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 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 offices in New York City and Palo Alto, California, all the while maintaining its office in Roseland, New Jersey. In 2014, the firm opened its Washington, D.C., office. In 2017, Lowenstein moved its Roseland, New Jersey, office to new facilities.
Staff
Thirty-six of the firm's lawyers are listed in "Chambers USA: America's Leading Lawyers for Business." Each September the firm typically hires approximately 20 new associates.
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. 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. The contempt charge was upheld through appeals, and the firm ended up paying the fines.
In 2000, a respected 45-member law firm broke up and 14 lawyers defected to Lowenstein Sandler. These defections led to a lawsuit, brought by ex-partners against Lowenstein. Lowenstein settled the case on the eve of the trial.
Zulima V. Farber, a Lowenstein partner who became Attorney General, 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.
Pro bono work
The firm conducts its pro bono work through the Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest. Chaired by partner Catherine Weiss, the center directs the firm’s strong pro bono program and other forms of civic and philanthropic engagement. Through these efforts, the center addresses significant social problems and offers meaningful assistance to low-income and other marginalized people, along with the organizations that advocate for and support them. This work engages the full range of the firm’s talents and reflects a stated commitment to perform work of the highest quality in a manner that maximizes results for clients and important causes.
