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Mark H. Sobel
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For over four decades, Mark has provided strategically insightful counseling and first-chair trial representation in intricate family law matters, with an emphasis on representing professionals, business owners, senior level executives, and their spouses with discretion and empathy.

Broadly regarded as one of the preeminent matrimonial trial lawyers in New Jersey, he is among a very small group of lawyers who are certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Matrimonial Law Attorney, a designation which speaks to his exceptional expertise and diverse experience in his area of practice.

Mark provides counsel across all aspects of family law, including the evaluation and division of financial holdings, property and other marital assets in contested divorce cases, hard-hitting advocacy in separation and divorce proceedings and custody trials, and skilled negotiation of alimony and child support issues. He represents clients in domestic violence trials and in relocation cases, oversees forensic evaluations to determine imputed income, and provides support in the drafting of prenuptial and marital settlement agreements.  

Mark represents clients at trial, in mediations and arbitrations, and at post judgment modification and enforcement hearings. His experience also encompasses complex civil litigation, with a particular focus on sophisticated and high value business-related disputes.

Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.

Bar Admissions

  • New Jersey, 1978
  • U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey, 1978
Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Matrimonial Law Attorney

Education

  • University of Pennsylvania Law School, J.D., 1978
  • George Washington University, B.A., with distinction, 1975

Recognition

  • American Bar Foundation Fellow
  • Listed in Chambers High Net Worth (a publication of Chambers and Partners) in the Family/Matrimonial practice area (2022 – present)
  • Listed in The Best Lawyers in America (a trademark of Woodward/White, Inc.) in the Family Law practice area (2001 – present)
  • Selected by Best Lawyers (a trademark of Woodward/White, Inc.) as Newark "Lawyer of the Year" in Family Law (2024, 2016, 2011)
  • Listed in New Jersey Super Lawyers (a Thomson Reuters business) in the Family Law and Business Litigation practice areas (2005 – present); listed by Super Lawyers as one of the Top 100 Attorneys in New Jersey (2011 – 2017, 2019, 2020, 2022 – present)
  • Listed in The Lawdragon 500 Leading Family Lawyers (a publication of Lawdragon Inc.) (2024 – 2026)
  • Martindale-Hubbell Peer Review Rated AV Preeminent (a trademark of Internet Brands, Inc.)
  • Recipient of the Tischler Award, the Family Law Section’s Lifetime Achievement Award, from New Jersey State Bar Association (2009)

Fellow of the American Bar Foundation Mark H. Sobel Listed in Chambers High Net Worth Guide Best Lawyers - Lawyer Logo Best Lawyers - Lawyer of the Year Logo Best Lawyers - Lawyer of the Year Logo Best Lawyers - Lawyer of the Year Logo Rated By SuperLawyers Mark Sobel 2026

Please visit our Award Methodology page for a description of the standard or methodology on which these accolades are based. Attorney Advertising: No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Other Experience

  • Former Assistant Prosecutor, Essex County

Published Cases

  • In Lombardi v. Lombardi (2016), successfully represented the plaintiff securing a precedential New Jersey Appellate Division decision establishing that regular savings is a component of marital lifestyle and must be considered in calculating alimony. The ruling created statewide uniformity and is routinely cited in contested alimony matters throughout New Jersey.
  • In Isaacson v. Isaacson (2012), defended the obligor and obtained a precedential New Jersey Appellate Division decision confirming that child support, regardless of parental affluence, is subject to reasonable limits. The decision articulated the widely cited “three pony rule,” affirming that a parent is not required to fund unlimited luxuries as part of child support.
  • In Ciasulli v. Ciasulli (2004), represented the non-titled spouse in a landmark New Jersey divorce case, securing a trial and New Jersey Appellate Division ruling recognizing that, where significant delay occurs between complaint and trial, even an “active” business may experience passive appreciation subject to equitable distribution. Following a period of nearly 10 years, the court awarded the firm’s client millions of dollars in additional distributive share based on post-complaint passive growth.

Memberships

  • New Jersey State Bar Association; Member Emeritus; Family Law Section, Executive Committee; Section Chair (1997 – 1998); Alimony and Child Support Sub-Committee (past Chair)
  • Essex County Bar Association; Family Law Committee; Family Bench/Bar Committee; Judicial Appointments Committee (former member)
  • American Bar Association, Section of Family Law

Committees

  • New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on General Practices and Procedures (former member)
  • New Jersey Supreme Court Special Committee to Revise Matrimonial Law (former member)

Other Activities

  • Early Settlement Program for mediation of family court matters in Essex County (former member)
  • New Jersey Family Lawyer Magazine; Editor-in-Chief Emeritus

Announcements

Seminars & Events

When managing a high-net-worth divorce, factoring in the complexity of business valuations, executive benefits, and diversified portfolios requires a highly specialized legal strategy. In this video, Greenbaum family law practice leader Mark H. Sobel explores the unique financial intricacies that must be navigated to safeguard a client’s assets and protect their long-term financial well-being.

Of Interest