Paul A. Rowe 25YEARSAWARDED

Paul A. Rowe

recognized lawyers icon Recognized in Best Lawyers since 1989
Awarded Practice Areas
Appellate Practice Bet-the-Company Litigation Commercial Litigation Family Law Litigation - Construction Litigation - Real Estate
Works at
Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis LLP

49 Best Lawyers awards

Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis LLP logo

Biography

Paul is a foundational figure in New Jersey’s legal community. A tenacious trial lawyer with a career that spans decades, he has long been recognized both statewide and nationally as one of the most formidable practitioners of complex commercial and matrimonial litigation. His career has been characterized by the shrewd legal judgment and sharp-sighted instincts that have made him a trusted advisor in some of the most prominent and highly publicized litigations in New Jersey history.

Paul’s influence on the practice of law extends far beyond the courtroom. He is the original author of New Jersey Business Litigation, the definitive resource utilized by practitioners and the judiciary to navigate business disputes. He also serves as the co-author of the Guidebook to Chancery Practice in New Jersey, which remains the standard textbook for judges and equity lawyers throughout the state. These seminal works continue to shape the legal landscape and serve as a testament to his deep intellectual command of the law.

Throughout his practice, Paul has successfully managed a diverse portfolio of sophisticated matters, including partnership and corporate disputes, antitrust cases, professional malpractice defense, stock fraud, intellectual property disputes, construction matters, complex chancery litigation, and high-profile matrimonial cases. His enduring legacy of success in both jury and non-jury trials remains the hallmark of the firm’s commitment to excellence and high-stakes advocacy.

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

  • Columbia University, LL.B., graduated 1961
  • Tufts University, BA, graduated 1958

Bar Admissions

  • New Jersey, NJ - 1962
  • New York, NY - 1961

Affiliations

  • American Bar Association - Member, Sections of Litigation and Family Law
  • American Bar Foundation - Fellow
  • American College of Trial Lawyers - Fellow
  • Essex County Bar Association - Past President and Member
  • International Academy of Trial Lawyers - Fellow
  • Legal Services Foundation of Essex County - Trustee and Past President
  • Middlesex County Bar Association - Member
  • New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education - Former Trustee
  • New Jersey State Bar Association - Family Law Section; Equity Jurisprudence Special Committee; Fee Arbitration Committee (past Chair)
  • New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Masters and Hearing Officers - Former member

Client Testimonials

Awards & Focus

Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Family Law Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2025 - Litigation - Construction Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2014 - Litigation - Real Estate Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2013 - Appellate Practice Lawyer of the Year Badge - 2011 - Bet-the-Company Litigation
Named "Lawyer of the Year" by Best Lawyers® for:
  • Family Law, Woodbridge (2025)
  • Litigation - Construction, Woodbridge (2025)
  • Litigation - Real Estate, Woodbridge (2014)
  • Appellate Practice, Woodbridge (2013)
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation, Newark (2011)
Recognized in The Best Lawyers in America® 2027 for work in:
  • Appellate Practice
  • Bet-the-Company Litigation
  • Commercial Litigation
  • Family Law
  • Litigation - Construction
  • Litigation - Real Estate
Additional Areas of Practice:
  • Litigation - Intellectual Property
Special Focus:
  • Complex Assets
  • Family Law Appeals
  • Intellectual Property
  • Litigation
Awards:
  • Recipient of the Lifetime Achievement in Litigation Award from the New Jersey Law Journal (2014)
  • Recipient of the Robert J. Cirafesi Chancery Practice Award from the Middlesex County Bar Association (2014)
  • Recipient of the National Judge Learned Hand Award from the Metro New Jersey Region of AJC (2013)
  • Recipient of the Trial Bar Award from the Trial Attorneys of New Jersey (1993)

Case History

Cases
  • Construction Defect / Consumer Fraud
In a seven month jury construction trial in which his client was sued for $200 million for construction defects and consumer fraud, the jury returned a verdict against Mr. Rowe’s client of less than eight million dollars.
  • Liquidation
Mr. Rowe was lead trial counsel for the general creditors in the rehabilitation and liquidation of Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Company, the largest life insurance company liquidation in United States history, which resulted in his clients, the general creditors, receiving at the end of the seven year rehabilitation period 125% of their claims.
  • Breach of Contract, Anti-Trust, Malicious Interference
Mr. Rowe was lead trial counsel for the defense in a ten month breach of contract, anti-trust and malicious interference trial involving Atlantic City casinos in which, at the conclusion, the plaintiffs' $2 billion anti-trust claim and all of its other claims were dismissed.
  • Equitable Distribution
Mr. Rowe procured the largest known equitable distribution award in New Jersey at the conclusion of a three month trial.

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