Saying she is eager to bring a new vision to the direction of a legacy firm, Barbara Koonz was recently elected to serve as managing partner of Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis.
“I’m energized by this opportunity and look forward to building upon Greenbaum’s proud legacy of excellence, and to helping lead a firm where vibrancy and collegiality maximize the professional experiences of our talented attorneys and staff members,” she said.
“The legal profession is undergoing a fundamental shift, driven by advancements in technology, the changing dynamics of client needs, and the evolution of the workplace. Law firms must adapt to this transformation in order to serve clients in an effective and responsible manner, and I believe we are well positioned to meet that challenge. It is both my honor and my mission to advance Greenbaum’s strategic plan to best serve our clients and each individual in our firm.”
Founded in 1914 in Newark, Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis now has offices in Iselin, Roseland and Red Bank.
It proudly bills itself as a Jersey-first firm, saying it understands the “ins and outs” and the inherent complexities of handling legal challenges in New Jersey, adding that knowledge translates directly into an advantage for its clients.
“We are dedicated to providing pragmatic, resourceful and cost-effective representation, in combination with reliable and responsive client service,” the firm notes.
Koonz, who joined the firm in 2019, is highly regarded in energy and environmental issues.
A lawyer and a geologist, she has counseled domestic and overseas businesses on a range of sophisticated legal issues for over 30 years. She advises private and public entities on matters related to environmental permitting and regulatory compliance, renewable and clean energy projects, generation facilities and infrastructure, waterfront and coastal projects, and the licensing and operation of A-901 licensed solid waste facilities.
Koonz is a Fellow in the American College of Environmental Lawyers. She is a member of the American, Energy, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Florida bar associations, as well as NAIOP NJ, the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association, and the New Jersey Builders Association.
A dedicated advocate for public safety, Koonz is the former chair and serves on the Middlesex County ASAP Board for the rehabilitation and re-entry of drug dependent inmates. She was appointed by the Supreme Court of New Jersey to serve on the New Jersey Lawyers Assistance Program Board of Trustees.
Koonz is the just the fourth managing partner of the firm — and its first female managing partner. She is one of just a handful of female attorneys running large firms in New Jersey.
