Barry Epstein is too practical and capable to be called a throwback, but the Queens native possesses an old-fashioned enthusiasm and passion for his craft. He has been practicing law in Bergen County for 37 years, and in that time has built a reputation for evenhandedness, dedication and clear-eyed, independent leadership. (He served as president of the State bar three years ago, among other leadership positions he's held.) "I'd wanted to be an attorney since I was 15, when I first saw Glenn Ford in the movie Trial" says Epstein today. After law school Epstein went to work for the well-known Karl Asch, who "opened my eyes to be a creative lawyer." He launched his own practice in 1969, and "I built it up on cases other lawyers turned down." In fact, Epstein, from the beginning a progressive and ideals-driven practitioner, took some cases "I knew we'd probably lose money on - but it was the right thing to do." Epstein spearheaded a groundbreaking 1994 case that established the right of battered women to make civil tort claims against their attackers.