About Us
Hiring an attorney can be a stressful and confusing situation. You want an expert, honest, personal approach to your case. The Law Office of Howard Gutman has been fighting for consumer rights and representing commercial interests for over 20 years. We have a deep knowledge of fraud, consumer, warranty, and lemon law, and will handle your case with honesty and experience.
Howard A. Gutman has successfully handled over 500 lemon law and automobile breach of warranty cases. Mr. Gutman is the author of a leading article on the lemon law in the New Jersey Law Journal and recently gave a seminar for other attorneys on the lemon law for the New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education. He also wrote the Year 2000 Legal Handbook, a book dealing with computer warranties, and is considered a leading authority on all types of warranties. He has appeared on Good Day New Jersey been interviewed by NBC Nightly News and Newsday, and his cases have been profiled in the Star-Ledger, Bureau of National Affairs Magazine, and New York Times
Education and Early Employment
Howard Gutman
Mr. Gutman graduated from Drew University Cum Laude, with Distinguished Honors in Political Science. At age 20, while still an undergraduate, he became one of the youngest persons ever to publish a law review article. He went on to the University of Michigan Law School, where he served as a Senior Editor on the Journal of Law Reform.
Mr. Gutman first worked at the Wall Street law firm of Haight Gardner Poor & Havens, a premier international law firm. He then went on to Hellring Lindeman Goldstein & Siegel where he worked under the former United States Attorney for New Jersey. Thereafter, he became part of the commercial litigation team at Hannoch Weisman, then the second largest firm in New Jersey. With the opportunity to handle a case featured in national media, he started his own firm and has been a trial attorney for over 20 years. Legal Assistant Amy Schneider is a graduate of Princeton University and MIT.
Published Lemon Law Verdicts and Awards
Black v. Volvo North America Corp. 92 N.J.A.R.2d (1992)
Boyle v. American Isuzu Motors, 95 N.J.A.R.2d 128 (1995)
Gantt v. Volkswagen, 95 N.J.A.R.2d 32
This case sets down the important principle that the manufacturer is responsible for any items installed. The dealer installed an alarm which Volkswagen said was unauthorized. Accepting our position, the Court said if the vehicle malfunctioned, it would be a lemon.
Giglio v. Daimler Chrysler Motors Co, OAL DKT. NO. CMA9965-02
Courts have decided water leak claims in different ways – sometimes saying conditions did not constitute a substantial impairment. Here we were able to demonstrate through an expert and the client’s testimony that there was a substantial problem and secured a refund.
Merisier v. C&J Auto, Inc. OAL-DKT NO . CMA-5617-00
The Division Director, on Administrative Appeal, reversed a lower court finding and ordered repurchase.
Taylor v. Volvo OAL DKT. NO: CMA5732-00
The court ordered a refund based upon a vehicle odor, rejecting contentions the condition did not constitute a substantial impairment.
Umbach v. Volkswagen of American 93 N.J.A.R.2d 11 (1992)
Repurchase ordered, rejecting the contention that uneven shifting at highway speeds was a normal characteristic of the vehicle
Other Verdicts and Settlements
Negligence Settlement ($500,000). A client came to a large law firm who advised him that he did not have a claim in a matter involving medical negligence. We reexamined the case, identified an error and after filing a claim, secured a ½ million dollar settlement.
Consumer Fraud Award ($121,000). Mr. Gutman secured one of the largest jury verdicts in a consumer fraud action after a seven-day trial. The matter was resolved with a confidentiality provision
Consumer Fraud Settlement ($150,000). A tenant was deceived about the projected use of a building. After being billed a five-figure amount by his initial counsel, our office agreed to handle the matter on a contingency basis securing a substantial settlement providing an award to the client and coverage of fees for our office and his prior counsel.
Silica Claim (six-figure settlement involving multiple defendants). Our office filed one of the first cases involving exposure to silica dust.
Media Coverage
Some of our cases have been covered by media outlets including the New York Times, NBC, Star Ledge, Law 360, and the Associated Press.
Jeep Cherokee Litigation (Cal. And NJ) (Our office was lead counsel in a matter covered by Law360
In Re Vioxx Litigation, (D. N.J. 2017) (our office represented a law firm securing a successful resolution of claims).
Lieberman v. USCF, Suit Seeks to Bar U.S. From Chess Olympiad,
New York Times and AP (Sept. 26, 1986)
Pipolo v. Tayburn (filing of one of the first cases alleging repressed memory in case of abuse).
Presentations
New Lemon Law Creates Expansive Remedies,
Winning the Lemon Law Case, Inst. Of Cont Legal Education (Oct. 2016)
Computer Software Warranties and Risks, Presentation to the National Press Club (1998).
Personal Handling and Staff
Each case is personally handled by Mr. Gutman with aid from legal assistant Amy Schneider. She is a graduate of Princeton University who received her M.B.A from MIT Sloan School of Business.
Free Consultation
The office provides a free telephone consultation.
