Still in his 40s, Mike Galpern has emerged as one of the top young trial attorneys in the state focusing on medical malpractice, product liability and class-action litigation. In many respects the New York native, who has spent his entire career working with the legendary tort attorney Gene Locks, started at the center of the action, and has never left it. The personable and assertive Galpern says it was an uncle who practiced law who inspired him to become a trial attorney; after law school Galpern clerked with Judge Jerome B. Simandle, the U.S. District Court based in nearby Camden. The experience "taught me the importance of attention to detail, and fully understanding the legal precedent to every case."

Galpern was then recruited by Locks, whose firm was spearheading the growth of class-action asbestos litigation, as well as other work-related claims of longshoremen and other workers. Galpern soon became a key player at the 23-attorney firm (he was named partner in 2001); in the last several years he has handled major cases, several of which were landmark tort decisions by the State Supreme Court. Galpern settled the first malpractice claim in the state against an HMO; today he is regarded as an expert in that novel area of litigation, and he lectures on the topic frequently.

His practice today focuses on all kinds of civil litigation: auto negligence, product liability, toxic torts and medical malpractice. He lives in Voorhees, N.J., with his wife and two sons.