Bauman rejoins Bressler after serving on the Superior Court of New Jersey for 16 years.
Florham Park, NJ (Oct. 7, 2024) – Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. is pleased to announce that Judge David F. Bauman (Ret.), who first joined the firm in 1991, has returned to the firm after 16 years of judicial service. Judge Bauman is returning as a Principal in the Commercial Litigation practice group in New Jersey.
Prior to taking the judicial oath, Judge Bauman was an attorney in Bressler’s Commercial Litigation Group from 1991 to 2008. In his new role, he will focus on arbitration and mediation of business, commercial and probate disputes, and providing litigation support in complex matters. He is joining a team of over 40 attorneys who represent clients in high-stakes litigation and arbitration, handling complex legal disputes. With over a decade of experience in high-profile cases involving commercial law, personal injury, auto negligence and insurance coverage issues, election law, public contract law and more, Judge Bauman brings valuable expertise to the team.
"Before becoming a judge, I worked as a litigator at Bressler. I am excited about returning to private practice and rejoining the firm, as it feels like coming home," said Bauman. "After 16 fulfilling years of public service on the Superior Court of New Jersey, I am proud to be back at Bressler, working with the firm's litigators to raise the bar even higher as we counsel companies and individuals and mentor a new generation of attorneys."
Judge Bauman's return to Bressler underscores the firm's commitment to strategic growth and expansion. His experience and expertise in business, commercial and probate matters will benefit Bressler's client base in New Jersey and nationwide as the firm deepens its bench of skilled attorneys.
"We are thrilled to welcome Judge Bauman back to Bressler. David brings with him a unique skill set that includes experience as a lawyer, familiarity with our firm and culture, and perspective from the bench," said Frederick Schoenbrodt, II, New Jersey Office Managing Principal and Chair of the Firm’s Management Committee. "He will be a valuable addition to our commercial litigation team and a strategic resource to help our team better represent our growing client base."
Judge Bauman had an extensive career in the Superior Court of New Jersey, serving in all four divisions and handling a wide range of legal matters including civil, criminal, family, general equity, and probate cases. He was appointed by the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Presiding Judge in three divisions: Civil from 2009 to 2015 and from 2021 to 2023, Criminal from 2016 to 2021, and General Equity from July 2023 until his retirement on September 1, 2024.
During his time as a judge, he presided over many high-profile and controversial cases involving various areas of law such as commercial law, personal injury, auto negligence, insurance coverage, election law, public contract law, criminal law, civil rights, and probate law. Additionally, he was nominated twice by former Governor Chris Christie for the position of Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, but neither nomination received a Senate confirmation hearing.
Before his tenure as a Bressler attorney, Judge Bauman served in the United States Marine Corps from 1988 to 1991, where he held roles as a prosecutor, defense counsel, and special counsel in the Naval Investigative Service. He was also the lead trial counsel on several high-profile cases involving violations of the Uniform Code of Military Justice. Following this, he continued his service in the Marine Corps Reserve, achieving the rank of Major and holding positions as a staff judge advocate, commanding officer, and appellate government counsel.
Judge Bauman has been actively involved in the legal community, frequently presenting at state and county bar association seminars and serving as an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University, where he teaches appellate advocacy. He is also a former member of the Supreme Court Committee on Judicial Education and has presented reenactments of civil rights trials involving Asian Americans at the New Jersey Judicial College and the Administrative Office of the Courts.
Judge Bauman earned his J.D. from Boston College Law School and graduated magna cum laude from Columbia University, where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa.