The ROI -NJ, a widely-renowned online media company created to inform and connect businesses in New Jersey, has released its annual  ROI Influencers: People of Color list  recognizing  people of color in New Jersey who have made a significant impact in the business, academia, nonprofit and governmental sectors. The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (“HBA-NJ”) is proud to celebrate the selection of the following past presidents and members as ROI Influencers: People of Color 2023:

Past President Anna Maria Tejada is a Partner at Saul Ewing in Newark where she practices labor and employment law. In addition to her long list of accolades, this is her second time making the ROI Influencers: People of Color list.

Past President Reynold Lambert is a Partner at Lowenstein Sandler where he practices business and class action litigation. Reynold has previously made the ROI Influencers: People of Color list and has been recognized by the New Jersey Law Journal as a Diverse Attorney of the Year.  

Andrés Acebo is the President of New Jersey City University, where he has led the school out of financial difficulties toward a bright future with an emphasis on educating underserved first-generation students.

Guillermo C. Artiles is a Partner and the Chair of the Government Affairs Practice group at McCarter & English.  Most recently, Guillermo served as Associate Counsel to New Jersey Governor Philip D. Murphy.

Stephanie A. Brown is the Associate Director of Government Affairs at Wonder, an upscale food delivery startup. Stephanie also currently serves as Chair of the New Jersey State Ethics Commission.

Abby Webb, President of the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, commented, “The inclusion of five HBA-NJ members on the ROI Influencers: People of Color list shows that our membership has influence, is making an impact, and that our hard work is being recognized. I congratulate these deserving leaders and I look forward to seeing more of our members make the list next year!”

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About The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey

Founded in 1980, the HBA-NJ is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit association that is comprised of attorneys, judges, law professors, law students, and other professionals 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.

Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey

P.O. Box 25562, Newark, NJ 07101

For more information about the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, please visit our website at: www.njhba.org or contact Albertina Webb, Esq., HBA-NJ President, at awebb@hillwallack.com. 

©2023 Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  July 5, 2023.

The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (HBA-NJ) denounces the decision by the United States Supreme Court to strike down affirmative action programs at public and private colleges throughout the country. This decision is deeply concerning and represents a major setback in efforts to remedy the nation’s long history of discrimination against racial and ethnic minorities. The Court’s decision ultimately rejected and ignored 45-years of precedent and the notion that colleges have a sufficiently compelling interest in creating a racially diverse student body.

The Court’s majority states that the interests articulated by the colleges, such as training future leaders, acquiring new knowledge based on diverse outlooks, promoting a robust marketplace of ideas, and preparing engaged and productive citizens, are vague and not sufficiently coherent concepts to justify an affirmative action program.

The HBA-NJ firmly believes that these interests are clear, legitimate, and vital justifications for affirmative action programs. The HBA-NJ also believes that the removal of affirmative action programs threatens the diversity of our law schools and adversely impacts representation in the legal community. We urge colleges, as well as state and local governments across the nation, to take proactive measures to promote diversity in education. This decision will undoubtedly have a detrimental impact on underrepresented racial and ethnic minorities, further limiting their access to higher education and the career opportunities that follow.

The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey pledges to monitor the impact of this decision and to continue to support diversity, equity and inclusion policies in higher education and the legal profession. Together, we must strive for a society that recognizes and embraces the value of diversity.

Albertina Webb, President of the HBA-NJ, said, “The HBA-NJ will not stop fighting for equity and equality in the legal field. We will continue to support and promote institutions and individuals who fight with us in the quest for promoting and increasing diversity in the legal field. As Justice Sotomayor correctly stated, “[i]gnoring race will not equalize a society that is racially unequal. What was true in the 1860s, and again in 1954, is true today: Equality requires acknowledgment of inequality.”  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  June 13, 2023

The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (“HBA-NJ”) is ecstatic to congratulate longtime member Victor Afanador as he is installed as the President of the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey, 2023-2024.

Victor was born and raised in the great City of Newark, NJ, in an under privileged socio-economic environment.  Fortunately, he had the firm family foundation that guided him through his educational development. As such, he truly understands and appreciates the struggles of growing up in an inner city with little financial means. He uses his professional journey as a platform for his community services by giving back to the greater Newark Community and its law schools by serving as a mentor and committing his time and energy to local educational advancement organizations.

A 2003 graduate of the Leadership Newark Fellowship Program, Victor has served on the board of directors of African Globe Theatreworks (a professional theater company based in Newark, New Jersey), and serves as a member of the board for Aspira, a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to developing the educational and leadership capacity of Latino youth.  Throughout the years, he has remained actively involved with the HBA-NJ, attending meetings and signature events, as well as mentoring board members and students alike.  A well-respected attorney, Victor makes the HBA-NJ proud of his participation and contributions to his professional career and how well he manages his work-family balance. He is liked by everyone who meets him and is well liked and respected by Judges, colleagues and contemporaries.

Albertina Webb, President of the HBA-NJ, said, “Victor always puts a smile on my face when I see him.  He has respected the mission of the HBA-NJ for years and I know he will continue to serve the Federal Bar well as its President.  I look forward to seeing him continue to shine in this position and hope that the HBA-NJ can participate in programs with the AFBNJ during his presidency and beyond.  On behalf of the HBA-NJ, we wish Victor much success in this new endeavor.”

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  June 7, 2023

The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (“HBA-NJ”) is pleased to congratulate longtime member and former trustee, Ricardo Solano Jr. on his return to Gibbons P.C. (Gibbons) as co-chair of its newly formed White Collar and Investigations Group. This will be Mr. Solano’s third stint at Gibbons. He began his legal career at Gibbons as an associate in the Criminal Defense practice and later returned as a Director in that practice. This time he will help launch, lead, and build the White Collar & Investigations Group.

Mr. Solano will co-chair the practice with longtime Gibbons attorney Lawrence S. Lustberg, another well-respected and senior criminal defense attorneys in New Jersey and beyond and a nationally recognized authority in constitutional and criminal law and procedure, who has been responsible for many seminal federal and state court decisions in a broad range of cases.

Mr. Solano is a former Assistant U.S. Attorney and First Assistant Attorney General of New Jersey. He clerked for the Honorable Maryanne Trump Barry of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit and the Honorable Deborah T. Poritz of the New Jersey Supreme Court. More recently, he was a partner at Friedman Kaplan Seiler Adelman & Robbins LLP, with a focus on white collar crime. Mr. Solano later joined The Straus Group, a private investment family firm in Fort Lee, and CareOne as its Executive Vice President and Chief Legal Officer. Mr. Solano grew up in Paterson and currently resides in Bernardsville. He earned a B.A. from New York University and a J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law. Mr. Solano is currently President of the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey and is a supporting member of the HBA-NJ and a former trustee for the organization.

Albertina Webb, President of the HBA-NJ, commented, “Ricardo has served the Hispanic community and the legal profession throughout his career.  He is well respected and regarded in the legal community.  He has been a loyal HBA-NJ member and supported our mission and events with his attendance and participation.  I am proud to see him take on the new role in his career.  It seems a natural step in his career trajectory and Gibbons is very lucky to have him.   We wish Ricardo success in his new position.”

The members of the Hispanic Bar Association join the hundreds of attorneys, judges and professionals that mourn the loss of the Hon. Lisa Thornton, Monmouth County's Assignment Judge, who died suddenly this past Saturday.  A well respected and hard working Judge, Lisa was everyone's friend, mentor and confidante.  Her unexpected death should remind everyone that life is precious, take time to care for yourself and hug your loved ones.  A caring jurist, she took her job seriously, worked hard and laughed often.  Her laughter was infectious.  Her death is a real loss for everyone whose life she touched, if even for a moment.  May she rest in peace.

The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (HBA-NJ) congratulates its member and supporter, Michael Noriega, Esq., on his nomination to sit as an Associate Justice on the New Jersey Supreme Court. This is an important nomination. Although Latinos represent the largest minority population in this State, no Latino sits on the Court today and no Latina has ever sat on the Court.  Once confirmed, Michael will bring much needed Latino representation to one of our State’s most important and respected institutions. 

Michael is extraordinarily qualified to be an Associate Justice and we expect him to proudly promote and serve justice for all New Jerseyans.  As part of his practice, Michael represents core members of New Jersey’s underrepresented communities, including immigrants fighting for their right to stay in this country.  He previously worked as a public defender.  He has devoted his career to ensuring that everyone has a voice, irrespective of their race, color, religion, or socioeconomic status.  And we are confident that, if confirmed, he will bring that same ideology to the Court and advance the HBA-NJ’s mission of a more inclusive and diverse legal system. 

THE HISPANIC BAR ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY CONGRATULATES ANDRÉS ACEBO ON HIS GROUNDBREAKING APPOINTMENT AS INTERIM PRESIDENT OF NEW JERSEY CITY UNIVERSITY (NJCU)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 3, 2023

Andrés is the second Hispanic to hold this esteemed position and is the youngest known president to lead a public university in the State of New Jersey. Born and raised in Hudson County, Andrés has dedicated both his professional and personal life to service. Currently, he is a member of the HBA-NJ; the Deputy Regional President of the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA); has served on the judicial vetting team for the HNBA and Alliance for Latinx Leadership and Policy (ALLP); and is the Vice Chair of the Board of Directors of the Cuban American Alliance for Leadership and Education (CAALE).

As a recognized leader in the educational, legal and Hispanic communities, Andrés has received numerous awards including being recognized as a “40 under 40 Latinos in the NYC Region”, New Jersey Super Lawyer Rising Star, A Top Latino Lawyer in the U.S. as well as receiving a Good Scout award. Andrés is actively involved in civic engagements and non-profit activities to promote diversity, inclusion, and equity. Prior to this appointment at NJCU, Andrés represented government entities, institutions of higher learning and public school districts. He received his law degree from Rutgers Law School and obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from Brown University. After graduating law school, Andrés clerked at the Appellate Division for the Honorable Jonathan N. Harris, J.A.D.

When reached for comment, President Webb stated, “We are so proud of Andrés and his accomplishments. We are happy for all of his success and will continue to watch his growth, personally and professionally. His commitment to our Hispanic community is a testament to his belief in diversity and inclusion.”

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About The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey

Founded in 1980, the HBA-NJ is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit association that is comprised of attorneys, judges, law professors, law students, and other professionals 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.

Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey

P.O. Box 25562, Newark, NJ 07101

For press inquiries, please contact: Perla Medina at medinap220@gmail.com, HBA-NJ Press Secretary.

For more information about the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, please visit our website at: www.njhba.org or contact Albertina Webb, Esq., HBA-NJ President, at awebb@hillwallack.com. 

©2022 Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  January 27, 2023

The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (“HBA-NJ”)

The Coalition of Affinity Bar Associations of New Jersey (CABA-NJ) – consisting of the Association of Black Women Lawyers of New Jersey (ABWL-NJ), the Asian Pacific American Lawyers Association of New Jersey, Inc. (APALA-NJ), the Garden State Bar Association (GSBA), the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (HBA-NJ), and the South Asian Bar Association of New Jersey (SABA-NJ) – supports the efforts of the New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA) to defend 13 At-Large Seats, which include Seats on the Board of Trustees, the Judicial and Prosecutorial Appointments Committee, and the Nominating Committee of the NJSBA (“Protected Seats”). Recently, a New Jersey state court found that NJSBA improperly reserved the Protected Seats for members of underrepresented groups. CABA-NJ supports efforts by the NJSBA to defend the Seats, which, due to the court’s decision, are in jeopardy.

CABA-NJ is comprised of the above identified five bar associations. Each association has diverse memberships and is purposed to represent and protect the interests of New Jersey’s diverse communities through policies, regulations, and collaboration with other bar associations, including NJSBA. Throughout the longstanding relationship with NJSBA, the organizations that comprise CABA-NJ have witnessed, and commend, the efforts taken by NJSBA to diversify its Boards and Committees in a lawful and ethical manner. NJSBA’s establishment of the Protected Seats clearly reflects changes in our state’s demographics in the general and professional populations, and the NJSBA’s response to those changes. Our diverse communities must have a voice in effectuating positive change by having a seat at the table at the NJSBA alongside New Jersey’s leaders. The elimination of the Protected Seats, we believe, works to undermine these goals. 

CABA-NJ will closely monitor the developments of litigation related to the court’s decision. CABA-NJ is prepared to provide the NJSBA with the support required to preserve the Protected Seats so that the leadership and membership of the NJSBA can continue to be diversified.

The Coalition of Affinity Bar Associations of New Jersey

Association of Black Women Lawyers of New Jersey

Asian Pacific American Lawyers Association of New Jersey, Inc.

Garden State Bar Association

Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey

South Asian Bar Association of New Jersey

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  December 15, 2022

The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (“HBA-NJ”) denounces the discriminatory practices against members of the Hispanic community recently uncovered by a municipal court judge in Millville Municipal Court. The Honorable Jason D. Witcher, J.M.C. courageously recognized and condemned a pattern of discriminatory actions taken by Millville court administrators against Spanish-speaking defendants and defendants with Hispanic-sounding surnames. Judge Witcher stated he previously reported his findings and was ignored. Judge Witcher has stated that he was threatened with removal from the bench following his complaint that Hispanic defendants in his Cumberland County courtroom were being required to appear in-person for hearings, while non-Hispanic defendants were given the option to appear virtually. Such discriminatory conduct is particularly harmful to an already underserved community because it unnecessarily forces people to take time off work or school, find childcare at an additional cost and increases the fear and disdain for the judiciary for being targeted. 

There is no place for discrimination within our society, but certainly not within the State's judicial system. HBA-NJ learned that the Judiciary has already started an investigation into these allegations, and we look forward to a full report and immediate resolution to these prejudicial practices.  We applaud and stand by Judge Witcher for speaking out against these disturbing discriminatory practices against the Hispanic community and implore any and all vicinages engaging in such conduct to cease and desist immediately.  As stated by HBA-NJ President, Albertina Webb: “These allegations are very alarming, particularly in a State where the Hispanic community constitutes nearly 20% of the population.  All New Jersey residents are entitled to equal access to our courts, regardless of race, color, or national origin.  We thank Judge Witcher for raising these injustices on the record."      

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About The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey

Founded in 1980, the HBA-NJ is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit association that is comprised of attorneys, judges, law professors, law students, and other professionals 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.

Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey
P.O. Box 25562, Newark, NJ 07101

For press inquiries, please contact: Perla Medina at medinap220@gmail.com, HBA-NJ Press Secretary.

 

For more information about the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, please visit our website at: www.njhba.org or contact Albertina Webb, Esq., HBA-NJ President, at awebb@hillwallack.com. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  June 27, 2022

The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey denounces the decision by the United States Supreme Court to strike down Roe v. Wade, a legal precedent that has protected women’s right to choose to have an abortion under the United States Constitution for the last 50 years.  This decision is shocking and a dangerous setback for the rule of law and gender equality, as it deprives women and girls in the United States of the legal protections necessary to ensure that all women have access to and the right to choose to have a safe abortion with dignity and privacy, without discrimination.  This decision will be devastating, particularly for Latina women, who represent the nation’s largest racial minority group and who already face limited access to health care.  

The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey calls on President Joe Biden to take all necessary measures to mitigate its consequences and issue executive orders protecting access to safe abortion, and provide funding to states for the provision of safe abortion services. We also remind State legislatures that it is still within their power to protect abortion rights and access to abortion services at a state level.  Banning abortions will have an immediate and irreparable impact on women, taking from them a right that has been central to their ability to plan their lives, families, and careers.

The President of the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, Tabatha L. Castro, had this to say: “The burdens of this ruling will disproportionately fall on women of color, immigrants, those struggling to make ends meet and our youth.  The decision to continue a pregnancy or terminate it must fundamentally be a woman’s decision. Forcing women to carry a pregnancy against their will, will make it harder to escape poverty, disrupting their education, career and life plans, and making it more difficult to leave an abusive partner. The impact of this decision will fall hardest on those belonging to racial minorities and those living in poverty who already struggle to access fundamental health care. The United States Supreme Court reversed nearly 50 years of precedent and I am afraid of what is next. We must take a stand and unite to support a women’s fundamental right to choose.”  The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey will keep fighting for polices affirming abortion as a human right. 

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About The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey

Founded in 1980, the HBA-NJ is a 501(c)(6) nonprofit association that is comprised of attorneys, judges, law professors, law students, and other professionals 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.

Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey
P.O. Box 25562, Newark, NJ 07101

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For press inquiries, please contact: Jessica Ramirez, Esq., at jr@djd.law and/or Arianna Moure, Esq., at amoure@sh-law.com, HBA-NJ Press Secretaries.

For more information about the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, please visit our website at: www.njhba.org or contact Tabatha Castro, Esq., HBA-NJ President, at Tabatha@thecastrofirm.com.