Barbara J. Koonz
By Joshua Burd
Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis LLP, the storied New Jersey law firm, has named environmental and energy attorney Barbara J. Koonz as its new managing partner.
According to a news release, Koonz joined the Woodbridge-based practice in 2019 and has focused on environmental permitting and regulatory compliance, renewable and clean energy projects, coastal and port-area projects and A-901 licensing for solid waste facilities. She’s now taking on another critical role with Greenbaum, serving as the fourth managing partner in its 111-year history.
The move was effective April 1.
“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,” Koonz 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.”
As a lawyer and geologist, Barbara has counseled domestic and overseas businesses on a range of sophisticated legal issues for more than 30 years, the news release said. She is a fellow in the prestigious American College of Environmental Lawyers and is a member of the American, Energy, New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Florida bar associations, as well as NAIOP New Jersey, the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association and the New Jersey Builders Association.
Greenbaum also touted Koonz as a dedicated advocate for public safety, noting that she is the former chair of and serves on the Middlesex County ASAP Board for the rehabilitation and re-entry of drug dependent inmates. She was appointed by the state Supreme Court to serve on the New Jersey Lawyers Assistance Program board of trustees.
