---
title: "Paul A. Zoss | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/paul-a-zoss-9391"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-08"
---

# Paul A. Zoss

U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey · Magistrate

## Profile

- Court: U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
- State: New Jersey
- Role: Magistrate
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-06-30

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Biography

### Professional career

- Chief Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court for the Northern District of Iowa from January 27, 1997, until his retirement on June 8, 2012
- U.S. Magistrate Judge, most recently serving in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, appointed in 1997 and retired from that role in 2012, with a career that also includes service in the U.S. Attorney’s Office and private practice
- 1972–1975: Trial attorney in the Court of Claims section of the Civil Division, U.S. Department of Justice

### Education


### Additional information

- Magistrate, District Court, D. New Jersey, 1997-present
- 1984: Co‐founder of the law firm Adams, Howe and Zoss
- Joined the position by the President and confirmed by the Senate
- His most prominent judicial role was as Chief Magistrate Judge in the Northern District of Iowa, where he served for 15 years before retirement
- Paul A. Zoss’s career spans federal public service, private practice, and judicial leadership.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### media access and electronic devices

Scope: statewide

New Jersey statewide Supreme Court guidelines govern media access and electronic devices in courtrooms; recording, photography, broadcasting, and transmission require compliance with the published approval process and courtroom restrictions.

Evidence excerpt: Transmission, broadcasting, recording and/or photographing is prohibited at any proceeding closed by court order, statute, or Rule of Court.

[New Jersey Courts](https://www.njcourts.gov/sites/default/files/notices/2024/07/n240723a.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9391/paul-a-zoss/)
- [Official roster](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9391/paul-a-zoss/)
- [U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey current judicial profile](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9391/paul-a-zoss/)
- [New Jersey Courts](https://www.njcourts.gov/sites/default/files/notices/2024/07/n240723a.pdf)
- [CourtListener judicial biographical directory](https://www.courtlistener.com/person/9391/paul-a-zoss/)

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## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [Federal Rules of Civil Procedure, December 1, 2025](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-651872d6e45e0d82319ecccc) — Civil actions in United States District Courts; Rule 81 exceptions apply. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-civil-procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.
- [Federal Rules of Criminal Procedure, December 1, 2025](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-8721a344fececced2257fe1d) — Criminal proceedings in United States District Courts; this conservative mapping does not distribute appellate-specific provisions to appellate judges. Section-specific exceptions, waivers, later amendments and case orders remain applicable. This is a source excerpt, not an exhaustive statement of the rule. [Official source](https://www.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/document/federal-rules-of-criminal-procedure.pdf). Collected 2026-10-27.