Celebrating 32 Years:

1980-2012

The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey Expresses Disappointment in the Failure to Nominate a Latino to the New Jersey Supreme Court

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 17, 2012

On December 10, 2012, Governor Chris Christie announced his nominees to fill the two current vacancies on the Supreme Court of New Jersey.  While the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (HBA-NJ) is not currently taking a position regarding the qualifications of the Governor’s nominees, the HBA-NJ observes that the latest nominations represent the third time – the second in less than a year – that nominations to the highest court of the State failed to include a Latino candidate.

The HBA-NJ considers it imperative that the leaders of our State appoint individuals that proportionately reflect the residents of New Jersey in order to instill public trust in our government and the justice system.  As the largest minority population in the State of New Jersey, and the largest growing minority population throughout the United States, Latinos have undeniably made significant contributions to the State.  Latinos have contributed in areas such as commerce, business, in the labor force and as professionals.  There has also been an increase in the electorate, as confirmed by the recent presidential election.  Further, Latinos make up a large segment of attorneys and litigants seeking justice in New Jersey’s judicial system.  Yet, in New Jersey, Latinos continue to be conspicuously underrepresented in positions that affect public policy and dispense justice.

The Governor’s nominations to the Supreme Court of New Jersey have been perceived by many as dismissive of the Latino community’s growth, contributions and influence in this State.  Latinos cannot be ignored, and the objective of increasing public trust should not be disregarded or lost to political objectives.  Moreover, the unfortunate result of the Governor’s decision is that the Supreme Court of New Jersey will most likely not have a Latino Justice until, at least, 2022 (nearly a decade), when Justice Barry T. Albin reaches the age of mandatory retirement.

The HBA-NJ doubts that such a result is a consequence intended by the Governor; especially since the Governor demonstrated during the response to the devastation caused by Sandy how bipartisanship works to the benefit of all the people.  Thus, the HBA-NJ is hopeful that the Governor will collaborate with the State Senate, in its advisory capacity to the Governor in these matters, and vice versa, to ensure that diversity on the Supreme Court – and all State Courts – proportionately reflects the residents of the State.

The HBA-NJ urges the Governor to consider that, during his administration, there has been little advancement in the numbers of Latinos serving in executive-appointed government positions that impact the Latino community and New Jersey as a whole.  Just as it has for decades, the HBA-NJ will continue to work with the Governor’s Office to identify highly-qualified members of New Jersey’s legal Latino community to serve on New Jersey’s Supreme Court, Superior Courts, Administrative Law and Workers’ Compensation Courts, as justices and judges, as well as to serve as county prosecutors and in all other government capacities.  There is certainly no shortage of such talent in this State.

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About The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey

Founded in 1980, the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit statewide Association that represents attorneys, judges, law professors and law students who share a common interest in addressing the issues affecting Hispanics within the legal community.

The purpose of the Association is to serve the public interest: (i) by cultivating the art and science of jurisprudence, (ii) by advancing the standing of the legal profession, and (iii) by preserving high standards of integrity, honor, and professional courtesy among Hispanic lawyers.

The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey cooperates with other bar organizations, legal organizations, and Hispanic community, business, civic, charitable and cultural organizations in furtherance of the aforementioned purposes.

For press inquiries, please contact: Hector Daniel Ruiz, Esq., HBA-NJ Press Secretary, at ruizhd@gmail.com or (973) 597-3163.

For more information about the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, please visit our website at: www.njhba.org or contact Louis Acevedo, Esq., HBA-NJ President, at lacevedo_hbanj@verizon.net.

Celebrating 32 Years:

1980-2012

The Hispanic Bar Association Of New Jersey Installs

Louis Acevedo As Its 33rd President And Swears-In Its

2012-2013 Officers And Trustees

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 5, 2012

On Monday November 26, 2012, the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey held its 33rd Installation and Swearing-In Ceremony. The gala event was hosted at Seasons, in Washington Township, and was attended by a sold-out crowd of attorneys, judges, elected officials and community and business leaders.  The Officers and Trustees of the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey were sworn into office by The Honorable Joseph A. Rodriguez, U.S.D.J.  During the well-attended event, Juan Cartagena, Esq., President and General Counsel of Latino Justice/PRLDEF, and Joseph E. Krakora, Esq., New Jersey State Public Defender, made remarks.

The 2012-2013 Officers and Trustees include: President Louis Acevedo, Deputy Public Defender in charge of Bergen County Criminal Trial Region; President-Elect Anna Maria Tejada, of counsel at Kaufman Dolowich Voluck & Gonzo LLP; Regional Vice President for the Northern Region Monica E. de los Rios, In-house Counsel J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A.; Regional Vice President for the Southern Region Carmen Garcia, Associate Board Member of the New Jersey Parole Board; Treasurer Michael J. Plata, Esq., Partner at Plata, Ferrer & Gutiérrez LLC; Recording Secretary J. Andres Mayor, Senior Associate at Day Pitney; Membership Secretary Julia A. López, Judicial Law Clerk for the Hon. Esther Salas, U.S.D.J.; Trustee Anneris Hernandez, Esq., Assistant Prosecutor at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office; Trustee Reynold Lambert, Associate at Lowenstein Sandler PC; Trustee Jaclyn V. Medina, Assistant Deputy Public Defender in the Bergen Criminal Trial Section of The Office of the Public Defender for the State of New Jersey; Trustee Zoila Cassanova, Associate Court Attorney for the New York State Unified Court System; Trustee Adalgiza A. Nuñez, Associate at Arseneault, Whipple, Fassett & Azzarello, LLP; Trustee Cindy J. Alvarado, Associate at Porzio, Bromberg & Newman, P.C.; Trustee Daniel A. Matos, Assistant Prosecutor with the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office; Trustee Arlene Quiñones Perez, Associate at Kroll Heineman Carton, LLC; Trustee Emilia Perez, Assistant Corporation Counsel with the City of Newark Law Department; Trustee Albertina (Abby) Webb, Associate at Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer PA; Trustee Carlos M. Bollar, Partner at Archer & Greiner, P.C.; Trustee at Large Matthew Fernandez Konigsberg, Associate at Foran Glennon Palandech Ponzi & Rudloff PC; Trustee at Large William Ferreira, Partner at Ferreira & Herbert Law Group; Trustee at Large Geida D. Sanlate, Associate at Littler Mendelson, P.C.; Trustee at Large Felipe Chavana, Executive Director of the Essex-Newark Legal Services; Trustee at Large Melinda Colón Cox, Associate at Parker, Ibrahim & Berg LLC; General Counsel Marco A. Gonzalez, Jr., Partner at Duane Morris LLP; Press Secretary Hector D. Ruiz, Associate at Connell Foley LLP.

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About The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey

Founded in 1980, the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit statewide Association that represents attorneys, judges, law professors and law students who share a common interest in addressing the issues affecting Hispanics within the legal community.

The purpose of the Association is to serve the public interest: (i) by cultivating the art and science of jurisprudence, (ii) by advancing the standing of the legal profession, and (iii) by preserving high standards of integrity, honor, and professional courtesy among Hispanic lawyers.

The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey cooperates with other bar organizations, legal organizations, and Hispanic community, business, civic, charitable and cultural organizations in furtherance of the aforementioned purposes.

For press inquiries, please contact: Hector Daniel Ruiz, Esq., HBA-NJ Press Secretary, at ruizhd@gmail.com or (973) 597-3163.

For more information about the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, please visit our website at: www.njhba.org or contact Louis Acevedo, Esq., HBA-NJ President, at lacevedo_hbanj@verizon.net or (201) 996-8030.