National law firm Lowenstein Sandler is pleased to announce that the Honorable Michael A. Hammer (ret.) has joined the firm after presiding for 15 years as U.S. Magistrate Judge in the District of New Jersey. Judge Hammer will be a partner in the firm’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) practice and will be based in its Roseland, NJ office. The Judge’s arrival reflects the firm’s continued success in attracting respected former judges, prosecutors, public servants, and experienced trial lawyers.
Judge Hammer will serve as a neutral in various alternative dispute resolution forums including arbitrations and mediations, as a special adjudicator in state court, and as a special master in federal court. He will also work on complex commercial litigation, criminal matters, and internal investigations. He is the latest addition to the Lowenstein team with notable tenure on the bench, following Judge Freda L. Wolfson (ret.), former Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, and former New Jersey Supreme Court Associate Justice Barry T. Albin.
“Everyone loves and trusts Judge Hammer because he digs in – all the way – on everything he does. His distinguished career embodies the qualities we value most at Lowenstein: exceptional legal judgment, integrity, a deep commitment to public service, and the ability to achieve results in the most challenging matters,” says Christopher Porrino, partner and Chair of Lowenstein’s Litigation Department, who previously served as the 60th Attorney General of New Jersey. “We have assembled an extraordinary team of former judges and public servants whose collective experience provides our clients with unparalleled insight into complex disputes and the judicial process. With Judge Hammer, I believe we are now the only law firm with a former magistrate judge, a state supreme court justice, and a district court chief judge in New Jersey.”
“Throughout my time on the bench, I saw firsthand the value of thoughtful, creative approaches to resolving disputes,” says Judge Hammer. “The most successful outcomes often come from understanding the interests of all parties and finding solutions that move beyond the courtroom. The same mindset is reflected in Lowenstein’s approach to client service. Having had Lowenstein’s lawyers appear before me many times over the years, I developed a deep respect for their preparation, professionalism, and commitment to achieving favorable results for clients. I’m excited to join a team so highly regarded across the profession.”
Judge Wolfson, partner and Chair of Lowenstein’s Alternative Dispute Resolution practice, says: “Judge Hammer distinguished himself on the bench for consistently facilitating settlements in some of the most complex and contentious matters before him. His talent for problem-solving and developing innovative and satisfactory resolutions to the most intricate challenges will be hugely valuable to our clients.” She continues: “In addition, his many years of public service reflect a dedicated commitment to mentoring the next generation of lawyers, strengthening the legal profession, and supporting initiatives that promote safer, stronger communities.”
Judge Hammer was first appointed to the bench by the judges of the District of New Jersey in 2011 and reappointed in 2019. Prior to his appointment, he spent 13 years as an Assistant United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey. During that time, he served as Chief of the National Security Unit (2006-2011) and Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division (2010-2011). He began his legal career as a law clerk to the Hon. Stanley R. Chesler and to the Hon. Garrett E. Brown (ret.) with the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. Following his clerkships, he entered private practice with a focus on commercial litigation matters.
Judge Hammer has demonstrated a longstanding commitment to public service and the legal community; he served for many years as one of the judges overseeing the Newark ReNew Court, a federal reentry program designed to help individuals successfully transition back into their communities through education, treatment, job-skills training, and close supervision. In that role, he was instrumental in supporting Danny’s Pantry, which provides groceries to at-risk participants in various court programs. Judge Hammer has also contributed to legal education and professional development through his involvement in the District of New Jersey’s Annual Judicial Conference, Practicing Law Institute, Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey, New Jersey State Bar Association, and other organizations.
In addition to Porrino, Albin, and Wolfson, Lowenstein litigators with records of government service also include Jonathan E. Algor, former Assistant U.S. Attorney, Eastern District of New York; Kent Anderson, former Deputy Attorney General at the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General; Matthew Boxer, managing partner of the firm’s New Jersey office and White Collar Defense Chair who joined Lowenstein after serving as New Jersey State Comptroller and Director of New Jersey’s Authorities Unit, in addition to serving as a federal prosecutor in the state’s U.S. Attorney’s Office; Parimal Garg, former Chief Counsel to Governor Philip D. Murphy and the longest-serving Governor’s Counsel in New Jersey history; Christopher W. Gerold, former Chief of the New Jersey Bureau of Securities; Jason S. Gould, former Chief, Health Care Fraud Unit, U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey; Shontae D. Gray, former Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of New Jersey; Mark S. Heinzelmann, former Deputy Attorney General at the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General; Michael B. Himmel, former Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of New Jersey; Michael T.G. Long, former Director of the Division of Law within the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office; Rachel Maimin, former Assistant U.S. Attorney, Southern District of New York; Scott B. McBride, former Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of New Jersey; former Deputy Chief, Economic Crimes Unit; former member, Health Care & Government Fraud Unit; Kathleen A. McGee, former Bureau Chief of the Bureau of Internet and Technology, New York State Attorney General’s Office; and Peter Slocum, former First Assistant Attorney General of New Jersey and former Assistant Counsel to the Governor.
About Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Lowenstein Sandler LLP is a national law firm with over 400 lawyers based in New York, Palo Alto, Roseland, Salt Lake City, San Francisco, Washington, D.C., and Wilmington. The firm represents leaders in virtually every sector of the global economy, with particular emphasis on investment funds, life sciences, and technology. Recognized for its entrepreneurial spirit and high standard of client service, the firm is committed to the interests of its clients, colleagues, and communities.
