Paul A Rowe

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.

American College of Trial Lawyers Fellow

International Academy of Trial Lawyers Fellow

American Bar Foundation Fellow

New Jersey State Bar Association: Family Law Section; Equity Jurisprudence Special Committee; Fee Arbitration Committee (past Chair)

Essex County Bar Association (past President)

Legal Services Foundation of Essex County: Trustee and past President

Middlesex County Bar Association

New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education (former Trustee)

American Bar Association: Litigation Section; Family Law Section

Co-Author (Original Author), New Jersey Business Litigation (NJLJ)

Co-Author, Guidebook to Chancery Practice in New Jersey (NJICLE)

In a six-month jury trial, Paul represented the main defendant against a plaintiff’s suit of $200 million alleging construction defects and consumer fraud in an Edgewater condominium development. The jury returned a less than $8 million verdict against the client, Hartz Mountain Industries Inc., and about 25 other defendants, including subcontractors.

Served as co-lead trial counsel for the general creditors in the liquidation of Mutual Benefit Life Insurance Co., the largest such liquidation in United States history. Paul’s clients, the general creditors, eventually received 125% of their claims under a seven-year liquidation plan.

Represented Penthouse International Ltd. as lead trial defense counsel in a high-profile breach of contract, antitrust, and tortious interference matter arising from the attempted sale of Atlantic City casino properties. Following a 10-month trial, the court dismissed the plaintiffs’ $2 billion antitrust claim and all remaining claims.

In the then-largest known divorce award in New Jersey history, Paul was retained to represent the wife in Ciasulli v. Ciasulli (2004), a landmark case involving a marital estate valued at approximately $75 million. Following a four-month trial, the client was awarded $37.5 million, plus alimony and attorney and experts’ fees. The decision addressed post-filing business valuation and the treatment of growth attributable to favorable economic circumstances, rather than the husband’s efforts or abilities.

Columbia Law School

LL.B.

1961

Tufts University

B.A.

1958

Lifetime Achievement in Litigation

New Jersey Law Journal

2014

Robert J. Cirafesi Chancery Practice Award

Middlesex County Bar Association

2014

National Judge Learned Hand Award

American Jewish Committee

2013

Trial Bar Award

Trial Attorneys of New Jersey

1993