Michael A. Backer 30YEARSAWARDED

Michael A. Backer

recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 1993
Awarded Practice Areas
Litigation - Trusts and Estates Trusts and Estates
Michael A. Backer
Michael A. Backer
Iselin, NJ
Works at
Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis LLP

49 Best Lawyers awards

Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis LLP logo

Biography

Michael brings over five decades of specialized experience to his practice in estate planning, estate and trust administration and fiduciary litigation. His clients include individuals, owners of closely held businesses, executors, administrators, trustees and beneficiaries. He aggressively manages will disputes, will construction proceedings, accounting and other fiduciary litigation for individuals and New Jersey-based bank trust departments. He develops wealth transfer strategies for high-net-worth individuals and closely held businessowners to help them achieve their estate planning objectives while minimizing transfer tax liabilities, including charitable gifting. He has also created many charitable private foundations for his clients.

Michael counsels individual and corporate fiduciaries on all facets of estate and trust administration, preparation of state and federal death and fiduciary income tax returns, post-mortem tax planning and fiduciary accountings. Michael has served as an expert witness and is frequently engaged to mediate complex, contested estate litigation. He is a draftsperson of significant portions of Title 3B, New Jersey’s Probate Code, including The Prudent Investor Act, which significantly revised the rules governing trust investing, The Revised Uniform Principal and Income Act and subsequent revisions to the Code.

Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Works at
Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis LLP

49 Best Lawyers awards

Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis LLP logo

Locations

Education

  • Rutgers University–Newark, J.D., graduated 1969
  • Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, A.B., graduated 1966

Bar Admissions

  • New York, NY - 1983
  • New Jersey, NJ - 1969

Affiliations

  • Errington Foundation - Trustee (2014 - present)
  • Montclair Art Museum Trustee - Audit Committee and Finance Committee (2011 - 2022)
  • American College of Trust and Estate Counsel - Fellow
  • New Jersey State Bar Association - Real Property, Probate and Trust Law Section Board of Consultors (former member); New Jersey Probate Code Revision and Reform Committee (past Chair)

Client Testimonials

Michael Backer has been of immense assistance in resolving a difficult NJ estate. It was a complicated matter with many potential litigants. He has great intellect and service.

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Litigation - Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2014 - Trusts and Estates Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2013 - Litigation - Trusts and Estates
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Woodbridge (2025)
  • Trusts and Estates, Woodbridge (2014)
  • Litigation - Trusts and Estates, Woodbridge (2013)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2027 for work in:
  • Litigation - Trusts and Estates
  • Trusts and Estates
Awards:
    • Listed in New Jersey Super Lawyers (a Thomson Reuters business) in the Estate & Trust Litigation and Estate Planning & Probate practice areas (2005 – present)
    • Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rated AV Preeminent (a trademark of Internet Brands, Inc.)

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