No. 2: Gurbir Grewal

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New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal earned the status of a power player not just in the legal realm of New Jersey, but in the nationwide Sikh-American community. The 45-year-old from Glen Rock rose to prominence as the Christie-era Bergen County prosecutor, and was named to New Jersey’s top law job in December 2017.

Nationwide, Grewal has opposed many Trump administration policies, either by signing on to lawsuits or letters of protest. Grewal has opposed White House efforts to roll back several provisions of the Affordable Care Act, LGBT rights, protections for undocumented immigrants, abortion and women’s rights and consumer protection. In recent months, his office undertook efforts to go after pharmaceutical companies and drug manufacturers deemed responsible for fueling the state’s current opioid epidemic.

Back in New Jersey Grewal is conducting an investigation of the Economic Development Authority’s corporate tax incentive programs. While the task forces appointed by Gov. Phil Murphy and top legislative leaders have been generating headlines, Grewal’s probe has proceeded stealthily. But his investigation is more dangerous to potential malefactors. The reason? Two words: grand jury.

More from the 2019 NJBIZ Power 100:

• No. 1: Philip Norcross
• No. 3: Nancy Erika Smith
• No. 4: Jerry Zaro
• No. 5: Deborah Hays
• No. 6: John Fanburg
• No. 7: Matt Platkin
• No. 8: Kim Guadagno
• No. 9: Evelyn Padin
• No. 10: Stuart Rabner
• Law Power 50: A-M
• Law Power 50: N-Z
• Presenting the 2019 NJBIZ Law Power 50