New Jersey’s legal landscape is renowned for its depth of talent, often seeing accomplished professionals transition between public service and private practice. This vibrant exchange ensures that legal firms are infused with invaluable insights gained from government experience. A prime example of this dynamic is the recent return of Shontae D. Gray to Lowenstein Sandler LLP as a partner, further bolstering the firm’s formidable white-collar defense and corporate investigations & integrity practices.
Gray’s return to the Roseland-based firm is a significant development, particularly given her distinguished tenure as an Assistant United States Attorney and, prior to that, as a Deputy Attorney General for the State of New Jersey. Her career trajectory perfectly embodies the “strong tradition of Lowenstein litigators who balance public service roles in government with serving clients in private practice,” as highlighted by Gary M. Wingens, the firm’s chair and managing partner. This synergy between public and private sector experience is often what sets leading legal practices apart, offering clients a comprehensive understanding of regulatory frameworks and prosecutorial strategies.
For nearly five years, Gray honed her skills within the United States Attorney’s Office, navigating complex legal terrains. Her responsibilities spanned a wide array of high-stakes cases, including investigations, grand jury proceedings, intricate plea negotiations, and demanding jury trials. Her expertise covers critical areas such as complex fraud, securities and tax law violations, civil rights, organized crime, and money laundering. This extensive background provides her with a unique lens through which to approach corporate defense.
As Gray herself articulated, her years in federal government have “further sharpened my advocacy skills and given me a clear perspective on how prosecutors approach, formulate, and resolve their cases, particularly with regard to sophisticated economic crimes.” This intimate knowledge of prosecutorial tactics and decision-making processes will be an invaluable asset for corporate clients facing external inquiries or internal investigations. In an increasingly complex regulatory environment, having an attorney who understands both sides of the legal equation can be a decisive advantage.
A particularly noteworthy aspect of Gray’s return is her collaboration with former New Jersey Attorney General, Christopher Porrino, under whom she previously served. This existing professional synergy promises a cohesive and highly effective approach to client representation. Matthew Boxer, chair of Lowenstein Sandler’s white-collar defense and corporate investigations & integrity practices and himself a former New Jersey State Comptroller, underscored this value, stating, “Shontae’s background will be invaluable to corporate clients facing both external and internal investigations into such claims as securities fraud, insider trading, cryptocurrency, wire fraud, tax offenses, and money laundering.”
Gray’s rejoining the firm is part of a broader trend at Lowenstein Sandler, which has consistently attracted a roster of accomplished public servants, prosecutors, and trial lawyers to its partnership. In 2024 alone, the firm welcomed notable legal luminaries such as Parimal Garg, former chief counsel to New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy; Jason S. Gould, former chief of the health care fraud unit within the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey; Michael T.G. Long, former director of the Division of Law within the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office; and Alexander Shalom, formerly an assistant deputy public defender in Essex County and a capital cases clerk for the Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court.
This strategic recruitment of individuals with deep public sector experience reflects a commitment by Lowenstein Sandler to provide clients with unparalleled insights into regulatory enforcement and governmental litigation. For businesses operating in New Jersey and beyond, navigating the intricate web of laws and regulations requires legal counsel that possesses not only sharp legal acumen but also a profound understanding of the motivations and methodologies of government agencies. Shontae D. Gray’s return significantly enhances the firm’s capacity to deliver precisely that, offering clients a powerful advantage in the complex world of white-collar defense and corporate integrity. Her expertise is poised to benefit corporate clients in an era of heightened scrutiny and sophisticated financial crime.
To delve deeper into the dynamic interplay between law, policy, and public service in the Garden State, and to understand the latest developments shaping our political and legal landscape, we invite you to explore our dedicated section on New Jersey Politics.