The Todos Unidos campaign is continuing to fundraise to assist Puerto Rico, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central America as a result of the recent natural disasters. To make a contribution of any amount directly to the Todos Unidos Fundraising Campaign, please Text UNITED to 50555 to join the Todos Unidos disaster relief community! Standard text messaging rates apply. You can also use the following link: http://tiny.cc/omo3ny. All contributions are tax deductible charitable donations and 100% of the proceeds will go towards relief efforts.
THE HISPANIC BAR ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY SUPPORTS THE VICTIMS OF THE RECENT HURRICANES AND EARTHQUAKES FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 30, 2017 The past few weeks have been extremely difficult. Our brothers and sisters in Puerto Rico, Texas, Florida, the entire Caribbean and Mexico have been dangerously impacted by the recent catastrophic hurricanes and earthquakes that continue to threaten many lives. While the survivors of these disasters continue to show their resilience, the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (HBA-NJ) is working with support and disaster response organizations, both locally and in the affected areas, to offer our assistance in any way possible. “We extend our thoughts and prayers to victims of these recent natural disasters in the United States, Caribbean, Mexico and Central America, including members of our HBA-NJ families” said HBA-NJ President, Arlene Quinones Perez. “We are working hard to remain in contact with relief organizations in the affected areas and are continuing to assess needs and see how we can help.” We will continue to update our website as information becomes available, as many of the organizations in the affected areas are still attempting to re-open their offices and assess the needs of the victims. Helping our brothers and sisters will require a long-term commitment from our membership and we have no doubt that the HBA-NJ familiawill rise to the occasion and assist those in need. Please check our website for updates and resources for assisting in the relief and rebuilding efforts. In the meantime, those who would like to donate their time, money, goods or pro bono legal services can visit the following websites: Cash Donations: Direct Relief (All affected areas) Hispanic Federation (Puerto Rico) ConPRmetidos (Puerto Rico): Fondos Unidos de Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico) Pro Bono Volunteer Opportunities: ABA Volunteer Legal Services (Bi-Lingual or Spanish-speaking attorneys needed most) Please be advised that we have not had an opportunity to vet all of the organizations listed above and encourage you to conduct your own due diligence. However, the organizations with an asterisk have been vetted. Please continue to visit our website to receive updates as information becomes available.
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Rutgers Law in Camden Honors Founders of Student Cultural Groups
In recognition of the work of three Rutgers Law alums in founding student cultural organizations, the Minority Student Program is paying tribute to the Honorable Ronald Freeman, the Honorable Carmen Garcia, and David Oh.
Freeman RLAW’72, a retired New Jersey Superior Court judge; Garcia RLAW’85, formerly Trenton Municipal Court’s chief judge; and Oh RLAW’85, a member of Philadelphia City Council will be honored at the MSP spring reception at Rutgers Law School’s Camden location on Wednesday, April 12.
“There was only a few of us so, consequently, we did not have a lot of conversations with other members of our classes,” says Freeman, a founder of the Black Law Student Union, now called the Black Law Students Association (BLSA). “We were somewhat isolated, so it motivated us to start an organization to have social and intellectual involvement with other people who are minorities and have an opportunity to join together and discuss cases and classes.”
Oh says he founded the Asian Pacific American Law Students Association in 1985 after seeing that other universities had a similar organizations to supports studentas well as people in the community. “We were interested in helping the community by providing some free legal services and help break through language barriers,” says Oh.
Student cultural groups help to enrich all students,” says Garcia, the founder of Alianza, the Latino law students association. “What is unique about the law school experience is the strong and powerful legacy of achievement attained by BLSA, Alianza, and APALA. It’s a legacy grounded in a genuine commitment of mutual respect, collaboration and cooperation,” says Garcia. “These affinity organizations – along with other student groups – have created a true sense of symbiotic community on campus. Their existence is not about accentuating differences but rather about validating and celebrating commonalities.”
The student organizations help to foster a diverse and inclusive culture at the school. Freeman says he’s pleased to see that there are more opportunities for people of color in the legal profession.
Garcia says despite the strides made creating a more diverse legal community, much more needs to be done.
“The biggest challenge faced by attorneys of color is the disturbing and pervasive political climate of intolerance existing in the United States today,” says Garcia. “Our calling as lawyers is about being in service to others, and in doing so, promoting justice. The world is undergoing unprecedented change and transition and the legal profession needs to not only keep up with the technological advancements, we need to be leading the charge. That requires strongly embracing diversity and inclusion at all levels, in all areas of the law.”
The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey Congratulates Yolonda Rodriguez on Her Confirmation to the New Jersey Superior Court Bench, January 19, 2017
Joint Letter from New Jersey Affinity Bar Associations to Governor Christie and Senator Sweeney, April 28, 2016
Link to The Penn for Immigrant Rights Scholarship Application
Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that the County Prosecutor’s Association of New Jersey will be offering four $2,500 scholarships to deserving students.
1. The Oscar W. Rittenhouse Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a New Jersey resident accepted for admission to law school who has an interest in pursuing a career as a prosecutor.
2. The Andrew K. Ruotolo, Jr., Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a New Jersey resident accepted to a graduate school or law school who exhibits an interest in advancing the rights and well-being of children through child advocacy programs.
3. The Harris Y. Cotton Memorial Scholarship will also be awarded to a New Jersey resident accepted to law school who has an interest in pursuing a career as a prosecutor with emphasis in Domestic Violence or Hate Crime prosecutions.
4. The John H. Stamler Memorial Scholarship will be awarded to a New Jersey resident who is a sworn law enforcement officer seeking educational advancement on a college or graduate level to improve his or her effectiveness as a law enforcement officer.
Applicants for all four scholarships must demonstrate financial need.
Applications must be postmarked by July 15, 2014. Personal interviews of finalists will be conducted. Applicants will be notified of the Committee’s decision in September 2014. Anyone interested in applying can download an application at www.cpanj.info.
The Small Law Firm Summit will be held on September 20, 2014.