Atty. Michael A. Backer
Mr. Backer concentrates his practice in estate planning, estate and trust administration and fiduciary litigation.
Litigation - Trusts and Estates & More Attorney · Serving Iselin, NJ
Profile Summary
About Michael A. Backer at a Glance
Michael A. Backer is a trusts attorney based in Iselin, New Jersey, practicing at Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis LLP. Admitted to practice in New York, NY - 1983 and New Jersey, NJ - 1969. Educated at Rutgers University–Newark (J.D., 1969) and Rutgers (—, 1966). Recognitions include Best Lawyers in America — Litigation - Trusts and Estates (2026), Best Lawyers in America — Trusts and Estates (2026), and Lawyer of the Year — Litigation - Trusts and Estates (Woodbridge) (2025). Serves clients in Iselin, NJ and the surrounding metropolitan area.
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About Michael A. Backer
- Mr. Backer concentrates his practice in estate planning, estate and trust administration and fiduciary litigation
- He brings over forty years of specialized experience to his representation of individuals, owners of closely held businesses, executors, administrators, trustees and beneficiaries
- He aggressively manages will disputes, will construction proceedings, accounting and other fiduciary litigation for individuals and New Jersey-based bank trust departments
- He advises and implements wealth transfer strategies for high net-worth individuals and the owners of closely-held businesses to help them achieve their estate planning objectives while minimizing their transfer tax liabilities
- He counsels individual and corporate fiduciaries on all facets of estate and trust administration, preparation of state and federal death and fiduciary income tax returns, post-mortem tax planning and fiduciary accountings
- Mr. Backer has served as an expert witness and, because of his expertise in the area is frequently engaged to mediate complex, contested estate litigation
- He is a draftsperson of significant portions of Title 3B, New Jersey’s Probate Code, including The Prudent Investor Act, which significantly revised the rules governing trust investing, The Revised Uniform Principal and Income Act and subsequent revisions to the Code
Practice Areas Explained
Michael A. Backer's Areas of Legal Practice
Each practice area below reflects the types of cases Michael A. Backer handles, with a practical overview of what that area of law involves and how it may apply to your situation in Iselin.
Trusts in Iselin
Michael A. Backer is one of 103,428 trusts attorneys indexed nationally. Browse trusts attorneys in New Jersey →
Jurisdictional Context
Why Local Counsel Matters in Iselin
Practicing law in New Jersey. Legal matters in New Jersey are governed by state-specific rules of civil and criminal procedure, statutes of limitations, and substantive law. Cases originating in Iselin are typically filed in the local municipal court or the appropriate New Jersey state district court, depending on subject matter and amount in controversy. An attorney licensed in New Jersey brings working knowledge of local procedural deadlines, judicial practices in this venue, and the substantive law that applies to cases brought here. Out-of-state attorneys generally cannot represent clients in New Jersey courts without local counsel or pro hac vice admission.
Iselin Courts and Legal Process
Choosing a Iselin-based attorney means your counsel already knows the local docketing timelines, preferred filing formats, and how individual judges typically rule on procedural motions — details that only come from practicing in this jurisdiction day after day. That local familiarity can translate to better strategy, faster filings, and fewer costly surprises.
Looking for additional New Jersey attorneys? Browse all attorneys in Iselin or all attorneys in New Jersey.
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Professional Profile
Why Clients in Iselin Choose Michael A. Backer
Selecting an attorney is one of the most consequential decisions you can make when a legal matter arises. Below are the core qualities that distinguish Michael A. Backer's practice in the field of trusts.
Multi-State Bar Admission
Licensed in New York, NY - 1983 and New Jersey, NJ - 1969, Michael A. Backer can represent clients in cases that span state lines or require counsel in multiple jurisdictions.
Focused Trusts Practice
Concentrating on trusts means Michael A. Backer's knowledge of relevant statutes, case law, and procedural nuances stays current — unlike generalist practices that spread attention across unrelated fields.
Local Presence in Iselin
A Iselin-based practice means Michael A. Backer attends hearings in the same courthouses, knows the local clerks, and understands the unwritten scheduling norms that affect every case filed here.
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How People Find Michael A. Backer Online
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Michael A. Backer's Practice Areas & Specializations
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