The Honorable Freda L. Wolfson (ret.), former Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey and current partner and Chair of Lowenstein Sandler’s Alternative Dispute Resolution practice, has been selected as the recipient of the Camden County Bar Foundation’s 27th annual Judge John F. Gerry Award. The award recognizes extraordinary humanitarianism and enduring contributions to the fair and effective administration of justice in New Jersey.
Reflecting on the honor, Judge Wolfson remarked: “I am deeply honored to receive this year’s Judge John F. Gerry Award. I was fortunate to serve on the Court during Judge Gerry’s tenure as Chief Judge and to witness firsthand his qualities as both a leader and a humanitarian. To be recognized among the distinguished judges and lawyers who have received this award before me is truly humbling.”
Judge Wolfson returned to private practice at Lowenstein Sandler following a distinguished 36-year career on the federal bench. Nominated to the District Court in 2002 and elevated to Chief Judge in 2019, she previously served for over 16 years as a U.S. Magistrate Judge—one of the youngest appointees in the nation and among the few women to serve in that role at the time.
During her tenure, Judge Wolfson authored thousands of opinions spanning securities litigation, shareholder derivative actions, product liability, financial fraud, constitutional challenges, and civil rights matters. She presided over numerous high-profile trials, including Hatch-Waxman ANDA patent cases, complex securities and mutual fund litigation, employment discrimination actions, and white-collar criminal prosecutions. She was also appointed by the Multidistrict Litigation Panel to oversee various MDLs.
At Lowenstein, Judge Wolfson leads the firm’s ADR practice, where she applies her unparalleled judicial experience to complex commercial disputes. She is regularly appointed as a special master in both federal and state courts, including MDL, and serves as a mediator in high-stakes civil and regulatory matters ranging from corporate governance disputes to consumer and mass tort class actions. Her practice also encompasses expert engagements, monitorships, internal investigations, and conducting mock trials and oral arguments.
The Judge John F. Gerry Award, established by the Camden County Bar Association, honors members of the New Jersey Bar or Judiciary whose careers embody Judge Gerry’s legacy of integrity, leadership, and service. Judge Gerry, appointed to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey in 1974 by President Gerald R. Ford, served as Chief Judge from 1987 to 1994.
Judge Wolfson will formally receive the award on October 22, 2025, at the Westin in Mt. Laurel, New Jersey.
About Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Lowenstein Sandler is a national law firm with over 375 lawyers based in New York, Palo Alto, New Jersey, Utah, and Washington, D.C. 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.
