Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C. Celebrates 10-Year Anniversary of Merger
May 2026 marks the 10-year anniversary of the merger of Pashman Stein P.C. and Walder Hayden, P.A., which brought together two highly respected law firms to create one of the leading full-service law firms in New Jersey.
Founded in 1995, Pashman Stein quickly built a reputation for professional excellence, while Walder Hayden, established in 1965, earned national recognition for its trial work in high-profile cases. The 2016 combination was the culmination of a long-term friendship and professional partnership between two firms aligned in values, complementary in strengths, and united by a shared commitment to justice.
“When we joined forces in 2016, we weren’t simply combining two firms, we were making a long-term pledge to build a place defined by excellence, integrity, and a culture that people are proud to be part of,” said Michael Stein, firm chair and managing partner. “Ten years later, I’m grateful for the dedication of our team and for the trust our clients continue to place in us as we continually expand our capabilities while staying true to our core values.”
“When we contemplated the merger 10 years ago, we strongly believed the combined firm would be greater than the sum of its parts,” added Joseph A. Hayden, Jr., co-chair of the firm’s Criminal Defense and Investigations practices. “History has proved us right, as Pashman Stein Walder Hayden is consistently recognized as among the top firms in New Jersey.”
“The merger between Pashman Stein and Walder Hayden was built on trust, shared values, and a commitment to doing the work the right way, and that foundation has only grown stronger over the past decade,” said Justin P. Walder, Special Counsel in the firm’s Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense, and Investigations practices. “I am tremendously proud of the firm that we have built.”
Pashman Stein Walder Hayden has evolved into a full-service law firm, expanding its practice areas and office locations to better serve clients’ business and legal needs. Headquartered in Hackensack, New Jersey, the firm has offices in Holmdel, New Jersey; New York, New York; Wilmington, Delaware; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
With more than 90 attorneys, the firm serves a diverse client base that includes Fortune 500 companies, emerging growth entities and entrepreneurial businesses, professional athletes, out-of-state corporate counsel, law firms, judges, lawyers, public entities, non-profit organizations, and individuals.
The firm’s commitment to working on important public interest issues and high-impact pro bono matters solidified with the 2019 launch of the Justice Gary S. Stein Public Interest Center, which is involved in a broad range of public interest impact litigation and appellate advocacy that defends democracy, the rule of law, and the freedom of speech; advances social, racial, and economic justice; protects civil liberties and constitutional rights; and promotes an open and transparent government.
Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C. has received numerous awards over the years, including the New Jersey Law Journal’s “2023 Law Firm of the Year” award and its Appellate Department of the Year award for eight years running. In addition, Chambers and Partners ranked 4 practices and 13 attorneys in its USA Guide, and the New Jersey State Bar Association presented its 2020 Pro Bono Law Firm Award to the firm in recognition of firm’s efforts through the Stein Public Interest Center.
The New Jersey Legal Awards are published by the New Jersey Law Journal. A description of the selection methodology can be found at Methodology: New Jersey Legal Awards (NJLA) 2023. The Chambers USA ranking list is published by Chambers & Partners. A description of the selection methodology can be found at https://chambers.com/about-us/methodology.
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