Over more than 30 years, Howard has built a successful legal practice which focuses on professional liability defense, employment litigation and public entity liability defense. He has represented lawyers, accountants, real estate professionals, directors and officers. A respected trial lawyer, Howard has handled hundreds of professional malpractice claims and has tried over 100 of them to verdict, a majority of which sided with the defense. In a precedent-setting decision before the Third Circuit, Howard successfully argued that a municipality can exclude houses of worship in order to facilitate economic redevelopment. He also has extensive experience defending cases brought under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act and the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
In 1978 Howard received his undergraduate degree from American University, with honors. He then received his law degree from Rutgers University in 1981.
Honors & awards
AV Preeminent by Martindale-Hubbell
The Martindale Hubbell rated attorney list is issued by Internet Brands, Inc. A description of the selection methodology can be found here . No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
The Best Lawyers in America, Professional Malpractice Law - Defendants
2026
New Jersey Super Lawyer
2006, 2008
The Super Lawyers list is issued by Thomson Reuters. A description of the selection methodology can be found here . No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.
Year joined
1992
Results
Successful defense of religious denomination in ecclesiastical dispute.
Public Entity & Civil Rights Litigation
November 10, 2022
We were granted summary judgment in a case involving a dispute between a religious denomination (our client), and one of its local churches. The client invoked its judicial process, allowing it to assume control of a local church due to declining membership. The pastor of the local church refused to vacate the parsonage. The local church asserted the denomination lacked the authority to assume control over it and argued that it was never actually part of the larger denomination.
Successful representation of attorney at center of ethics investigation.
Disciplinary Board Representation
November 1, 2022
Our client represented a plaintiff in a personal injury action. The personal injury plaintiff had signed a lien letter, agreeing to repay her physical therapist from the proceeds of the personal injury claim. After the case settled, our client reimbursed the physical therapist for less than the amount billed by the therapist, who filed the ethics complaint. We successfully argued that our client was representing the best interests of his client, who claimed the bills were excessive. By doing so, the attorney increased the recovery for his client.
Successful representation of attorney sued by former client.
Lawyers' Professional Liability
February 16, 2022
We successfully represented an attorney who was sued by a former client after representing that client in a personal injury action. The plaintiff alleged the attorney failed to file suit within the time allowed by the Statute of Limitations. We argued in our summary judgment motion that the attorney sent two letters to the plaintiff, advising that the attorney would not file suit and further informing the plaintiff when the Statute of Limitations would expire.
New Jersey Appellate Division affirms dismissal of plaintiff’s gender discrimination and workers’ comp retaliation claims.
Public Entity & Civil Rights Litigation
Appellate Advocacy & Post-Trial Practice
August 13, 2021
Our defense team was successful before the New Jersey Appellate Division. The plaintiff is a former employee of a non-profit agency that provides services to disabled individuals. She filed suit against her former employer and its manager, alleging gender discrimination and retaliation for filing a workers’ compensation claim. As discovery progressed, thousands of pages of discovery were exchanged, which demonstrated that legitimate, long-standing performance deficiencies were the actual basis for her termination.
Summary judgment for dentist in employment case.
Miscellaneous Professional Liability
May 7, 2021
We obtained summary judgment on behalf of a dentist who sold her practice in an employment and contract claim. The plaintiff, also a dentist, was employed by our client. He claimed his contract automatically renewed, and that he was entitled to two years of pay. The plaintiff also claimed he was entitled to be compensated because our client allegedly prevented him from taking records of patients he was treating.
Thought Leadership
98 Marshall Dennehey Attorneys Recognized in the 2026 Editions of The Best Lawyers in America and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America
August 20, 2025
Marshall Dennehey is proud to highlight the firm’s 98 attorneys who have been recognized in the 2026 editions of The Best Lawyers in America and the Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in America. Less than 6% of all practicing lawyers in the U.S.
Insurance Agents, Do Not Fail to Read This!
Roseland
Insurance Agents & Brokers Liability
June 1, 2020
Edited by Timothy G. The material in this law alert has been prepared for our readers by Marshall Dennehey Warner Coleman & Goggin.
Classes/Seminars Taught
What Insurance Claims Professionals Need in Order to Make the Process More Effective, December 2011
Risk Management Seminar, CNA, 2003
School Bully Laws
Trends in Directors and Officers Litigation
Counsel Fee Exposure in Employment Litigation
Electronic Discovery Issues
Mock Trial of Employment Suit
Legal Teaching Position
Guest lecturer at Hofstra University Law School, 2012
