THE HISPANIC BAR ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY INSTALLS MELINDA COLON COX AS ITS 40TH PRESIDENT, SWEARS IN ITS 2019-2020 OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES AND KICKS OFF ITS $40,000 IN 40 DAYS FUNDRAISER

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 31, 2019    

The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (“HBA-NJ”) held its 40th Annual Installation and Swearing-In Ceremony of its Officers and Trustees at the Pleasantdale Château in West Orange, New Jersey on October 22, 2019.  The Honorable Michael A. Shipp, District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, swore in the Officers and Trustees.  After 11 years of service to the HBA-NJ, Melinda Colón Cox, partner at the law firm of Parker Ibrahim & Berg LLP (“PIB Law”), was sworn in as the HBA-NJ’s 40th President. 

Longtime member of the HBA-NJ, Albertina (“Abby”) Webb, Vice President for the Southern Region of the HBA-NJ and a partner at Hill Wallack LLP, served as the mistress of ceremonies at the sold-out event.  Judges, lawyers, and students from all over the state were among the 400 guests.  Julia A. López, Immediate Past President of the HBA-NJ and an attorney at Reed Smith LLP, highlighted the HBA-NJ’s accomplishments over the past year during her presidency, including the creation of the HBA-NJ Scholarship Endowment Fund and the recent CBS news segment on the HBA-NJ’s American Dream Pipeline Programs.  Irene Oria, National President of the Hispanic National Bar Association (“HNBA”) and partner at Fisher Broyles, also made remarks highlighting the importance of collaboration with the HBA-NJ and congratulating the organization for being named as the HNBA’s 2019 Affiliate of the Year.  We also recognized long-term board member Jonathan Barrera, Esq., HBA-NJ Region 4 Trustee for Passaic County and Assistant Prosecutor at the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office, with the Corazon Del HBA-NJ Award for his outstanding dedication and unwavering service to the organization, which includes his years of leading our Union City High School American Dream Pipeline program. 

During her presidential remarks, Melinda Colón Cox announced this year’s theme for the HBA-NJ:  “Rise Up – Engage, Empower, Educate.”  While looking at the diverse guests in attendance, Melinda remarked:  “Against all odds, we have succeeded and we should be proud.  But with that success comes a great responsibility – we each have an obligation to pay it forward and to ensure the success of our Latino community.”  With the upcoming 100th anniversary of women’s right to vote and the political and social state of our nation, there is no question that 2020 will be a big year and President Cólon Cox underscored the need for the Latino legal profession to rise up, reminding attendees that “we rise, by lifting others.”  In discussing this year’s theme, President Cólon Cox explained:  “If we want to see progress, we must all rise up by engaging in community, political and social activism, by empowering and elevating one another, and by educating ourselves and our future leaders to promise a better tomorrow.” 

In celebrating the four decades of the organization, during the Installation, the HBA-NJ launched its $40,000 in 40 days Fundraiser in Celebration of the HBA-NJ’s 40th Anniversary and raised nearly $18,500 in one night.  All donations will go to the HBA-NJ Scholarship Endowment Fund, and 100% of the proceeds will be used to award annual scholarships to deserving high school and law school students.  If you would like to donate, please text “HBANJ40” to 44321 for more information – all donations are tax deductible.  The HBA-NJ also presented a special 40^th Anniversary video presentation, entitled: The Past, the Present and the Future, which included photographs and video messages from the HBA-NJ’s 39 past presidents and 40^th president, and also published and circulated a special 40^th Anniversary edition of its Abogados Newsletter, highlighting the HBA-NJ’s robust 40-year history, which is available on the HBA-NJ’s website at www.njhba.org.

The HBA-NJ thanks its sponsors and Installation attendees for their generosity and support.  In particular, we would like to thank PIB Law for its Underwriter Annual and Diamond Installation sponsorship, as well as our Amigo Annual and Gold Installation sponsors: 1) Archer & Greiner P.C.; 2) Day Pitney LLP; 3) Hudson Court Reporting & Digital Media; 4) Lowenstein Sandler LLP; 5) Prudential; 6) Reed Smith LLP; and 7) Sterling National Bank; Amigo Annual and Silver Installation sponsor: 1) Stark & Stark; and Silver Installation sponsors: 1) Bederson LLP; 2) D’Arcy Johnson Day; 3) DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin, LLP; 4) Fox Rothschild LLP; 5) Law Offices of George Rios, P.A.; 6) Norris McLaughlin P.A.; 7) Norton Rose Fulbright; and 8) Walsh Pizzi O’Reilly Falanga.

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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

©2019 Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey.
ations from us.

Celebrating 39 Years:

1980-2019

THE HISPANIC BAR ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY CELEBRATED ITS 38th ANNUAL SCHOLARSHIP GALA and AWARDS DINNER and ESTABLISHED the HBA-NJ SCHOLARSHIP AND ENDOWMENT FUND

  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  July 1, 2019

The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (“HBA-NJ”) held its 38th Annual Scholarship Gala and Awards Dinner (the “Gala”) at The Legacy Castle in Pompton Plains, New Jersey on June 22, 2019.  Almost 400 attorneys, federal and state judges, law students, and guests attended the Gala where the HBA-NJ recognized three remarkable honorees in the Latinx legal community.  Longtime supporter of the HBA-NJ, Parker Ibrahim & Berg LLP was honored as the Law Firm of the Year for its dedicated and demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.  Beacon Hill Legal was honored as Corporate Partner of the Year for delivering excellent and trusted service to law firms and companies across the State of New Jersey.  Further, the HBA-NJ awarded the Margarita Echevarria Trailblazer Award to Evelyn Padin, who became the first Latina President of the New Jersey State Bar Association in its 120-year history. 

HBA-NJ’s 39th President Julia A. López’s said, “The Gala recognized longtime supporters of the HBA-NJ and the Latinx community.  The HBA-NJ also made history by presenting over $100,000 between scholarships and the creation of a scholarship endowment that will help sustain HBA-NJ’s goals going forward.  I am proud to be part of the history that will help secure the success of the Latinx leaders of tomorrow.”   The HBA-NJ specifically awarded $52,000 in scholarships to 12 Latinx law students and 2 American Dream Pipeline Program high school students, and it established the HBA-NJ Scholarship Endowment with an initial check in the amount of $50,000.  The HBA-NJ further pledged to make annual contributions to the HBA-NJ Scholarship Endowment. 

During the Gala, Carimer N. Andujar passionately spoke about her plight of overcoming obstacles and challenges as an undocumented individual.  Ms. Andujar is a Dreamer, and a graduate of the American Dream Pipeline Program and Rutgers School of Engineering Class of 2019.  President López remarked, “This year’s theme was Diversity Makes America Great and having Carimer address the guests at the Gala was important to me.  She epitomizes the immigrant story of someone who had to flee terrible conditions in order to survive and find opportunities for a better life.  Not only did she find those opportunities, but she succeeded.  It was important for the guests to hear firsthand from someone who is marginalized in today’s society, but who still attained success through the support of a strong network.  Her success is our success, and her story epitomizes the HBA-NJ’s mission at its core.  We are proud of Carimer and will continue to support her and other Dreamers and students alike.”

The HBA-NJ thanks its sponsors and Gala attendees for their generosity and support.  President López said, “It was great year for the HBA-NJ, which could not have been possible without the support of our sponsors, and I look forward to the celebration of the HBA-NJ’s 40th anniversary next year.”  Please save the date for the Installation and Swearing-In Ceremony of our 40^th President, Melinda Colón Cox, and the 2019-2020 Board of Trustees on October 22, 2019, at the Pleasantdale Chateau in West Orange, New Jersey. 

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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: Alba V. Aviles, Esq., HBA-NJ Press Secretary, at aaviles@daypitney.com or (973) 966-8034.  For more information about the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, please visit our website at: www.njhba.org or contact Julia A. López, Esq., HBA-NJ President, at jalopez@reedsmith.com or (609) 524-2022.

 ©2019 Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey

	Celebrating 39 Years:      1980-2019 The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey Supports Bills A4743/S3229, Which Allow New Jersey Residents Who Do Not Qualify For a Real ID Act License, To Receive a Driver’s License. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 6, 2019 The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (HBA-NJ) urges the New Jersey Assembly and Senate to pass bills A4743 and S3229.  The bills create two types of driver’s licenses: 1) a basic driver’s license, and 2) a REAL ID Act compliant driver’s license.  The basic driver’s license provides driving privileges to New Jersey residents who do not qualify for a REAL ID Act license.  The REAL ID Act compliant license, in turn, may be used for federal purposes and is available to those who prove lawful residence in the United States. In 2005, Congress enacted the REAL ID Act.  The Act established rigorous application requirements for driver’s licenses and identification cards for access to federal facilities and nuclear power plants, and for boarding commercial flights.  New Jersey’s proposed legislation is a practical response to privacy concerns raised by the REAL ID Act, such as the retention by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) of copies of documents that individuals submit to prove their identity or residency.  By directing state agencies to not retain such documents, the proposed bills aim to comply with federal law—which mandates access to state agency records—while protecting the privacy of New Jersey residents.  If enacted, the bills would also provide immigrants with access to New Jersey’s roads—thereby increasing their access to employment, education, and healthcare.  The law would generate additional revenues through licensing fees and would boost the economy through a more mobile labor force.  Additionally, under the law, new drivers would join the insurance pool, thereby lowering insurance rates that must account for accidents involving uninsured motorists.  Finally, access to these licenses would reduce the risk of undocumented drivers being detained for unlicensed driving; or worse, thereafter being placed into the custody of U.S. Immigrations and Customs Enforcement for potential deportation.  There may still be risks for those carrying these licenses, such as confirmation bias on the part of law enforcement (i.e., the belief that a standard driver’s license automatically equates to an undocumented driver) or federal agencies making adverse inferences based on limited information received from the MVC.  Notwithstanding, mobility without fear of deportation is essential for quality of life.  Undocumented New Jerseyans should be able to weigh any potential risks against the benefits of: 1) access to licenses, and 2) insurance to protect valuable property, passengers, and other motorists.  Accordingly, the HBA-NJ urges legislators to pass bills A4743 and S3229 without further delay. HBA-NJ President Julia A. López noted: “This bill is a step in the right direction.  If the bill becomes law, it will be crucial for the State and its agencies to implement additional privacy protections and educate the public and law enforcement on the significance and implications of the two categories of licenses.” ### 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: Alba V. Aviles, Esq., HBA-NJ Press Secretary, at aaviles@daypitney.com or (973) 966-8034. For more information about the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, please visit our website at: www.njhba.org or contact Julia A. López, Esq., HBA-NJ President, at jalopez@reedsmith.com or (609) 524-2022.

Celebrating 39 Years  1980-2019 THE HISPANIC BAR ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY CONGRATULATES EVELYN PADIN, ESQ. AS THE FIRST LATINA TO SERVE AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE NEW JERSEY STATE BAR ASSOCIATION FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: May 31, 2019 The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (“HBA-NJ”) congratulates Evelyn Padin, Esq. on her installation as the first Latina President of the New Jersey State Bar Association (“NJSBA”).  Ms. Padin was installed on May 16, 2019, at the NJSBA’s Annual Meeting and Convention in Atlantic City.  The NJSBA has existed for 120 years and supports more than 18,000 members statewide.  The last and only time the NJSBA had a Latinx President was more than 40 years ago when the Honorable Joseph H. Rodriguez served as its President.  The HBA-NJ commends the NJSBA for electing Ms. Padin. Ms. Padin is a former trustee of the HBA-NJ; she also served as a trustee for the Hudson County Bar Association and on various committees for the NJSBA.  Ms. Padin has served in many roles and worn many hats.  She is an attorney, business owner, mother, and advocate.  Ms. Padin works tirelessly for those who do not have a voice, often organizing and running programs to educate communities on their legal rights.  As President of the NJSBA, her goal is to ensure that the residents of the State of New Jersey have equal rights and access to New Jersey’s courts.  Noting how history was made by Ms. Padin’s recent installment as the NJSBA President, HBA-NJ President Julia A. López said, “Evelyn is a seasoned attorney and succeeded in a time when only a few Latinas were a part of the bar.  Her determination and passion are readily apparent, so it is no surprise that she was elected and installed as the first Latina President of the NJSBA.  During her speech, Evelyn’s message was loud and clear – she intends to embrace her culture and roots, and continue to promote diversity, equal rights and growth throughout the bar, the judiciary, the government, and the entire State of New Jersey.  Evelyn’s goals are inspiring, and the HBA-NJ looks forward to working with her and the NJSBA.” ### 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

Celebrating 38 Years:

1980-2018

THE HISPANIC BAR ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY DENOUNCES THE CURRENT ADMINISTRATION’S ATTACK ON THE LATINO COMMUNITY

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 1, 2018

The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (“HBA-NJ”) strongly denounces the current administration’s continued attack on the Latino community. The administration has now announced its plans to deploy up to 15,000 active-duty troops to the border in an effort to stop the group of migrants, also known as the migrant caravan, headed to the United States. Many of the individuals in the migrant caravan, which began their journey earlier this month, seek asylum in the United States to flee persecution and violence in their home countries. The use of active military, seemingly one of the largest during peacetimes, is yet another example of the criminalization of Latinos.

As noted by Julia A. López, HBA-NJ President: “From the highest office in our land, Latinos are being called bad hombres, hardened criminals, and rapists simply because they are Latino.” The HBA-NJ condemns the use of the military at the border, as well as the rhetoric that incites hatred, exacerbates racial tensions, and further polarizes our nation at a time when our country needs unity. Not only is this behavior inconsistent with American principles, but denying people the ability to apply for asylum is a violation of the laws and international conventions that prescribe how the United States must treat its neighbors who seek to establish a “credible fear” of returning home. Let’s be clear: Immigrants have long been a part of the fabric of the United States, dating back to the ships full of migrants coming to this country through Ellis Island.

In another anti-immigrant ploy, the President plans to nullify the 14th Amendment of the Constitution with an executive order. The 14th Amendment guarantees all persons born or naturalized in the United States as citizens of the United States. The proposed executive order would seek to eviscerate birthright citizenship from children born on United States soil to undocumented immigrants. This proposition is a clear indication of misguided and unfounded assertions against migrants. Terminating the 14th Amendment with an executive order is also an attack of the Constitution—the basis of our democracy.

The President of the HBA-NJ, Julia A. López, emphasized: “We must all raise our voices when the Latino community is under attack and when immigrants are not treated with dignity. Immigrants have always made America great. Now more than ever, when Latinos are the largest growing minority in this country and our vote equals power, we must raise our voices as Americans and exercise our right to vote on November 6th. In these defining times, we must put humanity over political lines and stand up against all anti-immigrant, anti-Semitic, anti-Islamic, and racist hate speech.”

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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, lawstudents, 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: Alba V. Aviles, Esq., HBA-NJ Press Secretary, at aaviles@daypitney.com or (973) 966-8034.

For more information about the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, please visit our website at: www.njhba.org or contact Julia A. López, Esq., HBA-NJ President, at jalopez@reedsmith.com or (609) 524-2022.

©2018 Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey.

Celebrating 38 Years:

1980-2018

THE HISPANIC BAR ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY INSTALLS JULIA A. LÓPEZ AS ITS 39TH PRESIDENT AND SWEARS IN ITS 2018-2019 OFFICERS & TRUSTEES

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 31, 2018

The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (“HBA-NJ”) held its 39th Annual Installation and Swearing-In Ceremony of its Officers and Trustees at the Pleasantdale Château in West Orange, New Jersey on October 24, 2018. The Honorable Esther Salas, District Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, swore in the Officers and Trustees. After 14 years of service to the HBA-NJ, Julia A. López, a Reed Smith attorney and Guatemalan immigrant, was sworn in as the HBANJ’s 39th President.

Longtime member of the HBA-NJ, Albertina (“Abby”) Webb, Vice President for the Southern Region of the HBA-NJ and a partner at LaRocca Hornik Rosen Greenberg &Patti LLC, served as the mistress of ceremonies at the sold-out event. Judges, lawyers, and students from all over the state were among the 400 guests. Hector D. Ruiz, Immediate Past President of the HBA-NJ and a partner at Walsh Pizzi O’Reilly Falanga LLP, and Jennifer Salinas, National President of the Hispanic National Bar Association (“HNBA”) and Executive Director of Intellectual Property Litigation at Lenovo, made remarks. The HBA-NJ also recognized Cristal Lambert, HBA-NJ Treasurer and legal counsel at Bed Bath & Beyond, Inc., and Jacqueline S. Peña, HBA-NJ Membership Secretary and counsel at Travelers Insurance, with the Corazon, Del HBA-NJ Award for their outstanding dedication and unwavering service to the organization.

During her presidential remarks, Julia A. López announced this year’s theme for the HBA-NJ: “Diversity Makes America Great.” Noting that “we are living in unprecedented times” in which “our community is under attack,” President López observed that the Latino/a community is the largest minority group in the State of New Jersey and in the country and that “our vote is power.” She encouraged attendees to exercise the right to vote on November 6th. She also noted that the HBA-NJ would continue to serve as an “agent of change,” by “empowering our community” and “advocating for diversity and inclusion on our benches, in all branches of our government, at our law firms, and in our law schools.” The HBA-NJ also displayed powerful art donated by Latin American artists to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees’ (“UNHCR”) RefugiArte project. Growing up as an immigrant, Julia thanked the UNHCR and the Latin American artists for raising awareness to this important issue and promoting positive attitudes towards the refugee and immigrant experience.

Also in attendance were: Assemblywoman Annette Quijano; Julio M. Fuentes, Senior United States Circuit Judge of the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit; Jose L. Linares, Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey; several HNBA leaders including Irene Oria, HNBA President-Elect and special counsel at Stroock, Stroock & Lavan, Miguel Alexander Pozo, HNBA/HBA-NJ Past President and member of Cozen O’Connor’s Minneapolis office, and Pedro J. Torres-Díaz, HNBA Past President and a principal in the San Juan, Puerto Rico and Miami offices of Jackson Lewis; several state court judges, and many HBA-NJ former presidents. Students from the HBA-NJ’s American Dream Pipeline Program in Union City and Passaic, New Jersey also attended the event.

The HBA-NJ thanks its sponsors and Installation attendees for their generosity and support. In particular, we would like to thank our Platinum sponsor, Reed Smith LLP; Gold sponsors: 1) Archer & Greiner P.C.; 2) Beacon Hill Legal; 3) Day Pitney LLP; 4) Hudson Court Reporting & Digital Media; 5) Lowenstein Sandler LLP; 6) Parker Ibrahim & Berg LLP; 7) Prudential; and 8) Walsh Pizzi O’Reilly Falanga LLP; and Silver sponsors: 1) Advanced PMR and Synergy Spinecare and Rehabilitation Medicine PC; 2) Bederson LLP; 3) D’Arcy Johnson Day; 4) Kaufman Dolowich Voluck LLP; 5) Law Offices of George Rios, P.A.; 6) McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney &Carpenter LLP; and 7) Waters McPherson McNeil, P.C.

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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: Alba V. Aviles, Esq., HBA-NJ Press Secretary, at aaviles@daypitney.com

or (973) 966-8034.

For more information about the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, please visit our website at:

www.njhba.org or contact Julia A. López, Esq., HBA-NJ President, at jalopez@reedsmith.com or (609) 524-

2022.

©2018 Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey.

You received this email because you are a valued friend of ours. Please unsubscribe if you no longer wish to

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	Celebrating 38 Years: 1980-2018 The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey Congratulates Veronica Allende on Being Named Director of the Division of Criminal Justice for the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office                                                                           FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 27, 2018 The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (“HBA-NJ”) congratulates Veronica Allende on being appointed as the Director of the Division of Criminal Justice for the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office.  The Division of Criminal Justice oversees New Jersey’s unified, integrated system of law enforcement.  As Director of the Division of Criminal Justice, Veronica is responsible for 500 investigators, detectives, lawyers, and professional personnel who are charged with investigating, enforcing and prosecuting criminal activity.  The Division also provides oversight and coordination to the State’s law enforcement community at the state, county and municipal level to ensure the safety and security of all New Jersey residents. “Veronica is a smart, tough, experienced prosecutor who will make a terrific Director of the Division of Criminal Justice. She brings more than a decade of experience prosecuting a wide variety of crimes, from drug trafficking to cybercrime to political corruption.  The fact that Veronica is the first Hispanic woman to serve as the Director makes her appointment all the more compelling.  I look forward to working with her as we tackle the opioid crisis, reduce gun violence, and strengthen police-community relations,” said Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal.  From 2007 to 2015, Veronica served as a Deputy Attorney General with the Division of Criminal Justice, where she first worked in the Gangs & Organized Crime Bureau, and later, with the Official Corruption Bureau.  In addition, Veronica served as a member of the Attorney General's Shooting Response Team, through which she investigated officer-involved shootings.  In 2015, Veronica received a promotion to Deputy Bureau Chief of the Financial and Computer Crimes Bureau and oversaw the Computer Crimes Unit, which investigates and prosecutes child pornography and other computer-related criminal activity.  She left the Division for a year and a half to work with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, where she served as an Assistant United States Attorney, investigating and prosecuting a wide variety of federal crimes.  Before her career in public service, Veronica practiced land use and commercial real estate law at Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer.  She received her law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law and a B.A. in Political Science with a minor in Philosophy from Mount St. Mary’s University in Emmitsburg, Maryland. “The HBA-NJ applauds the Office of the Attorney General for its appointment of Veronica Allende as the Director of the Division of Criminal Justice.  Veronica is an esteemed attorney with a true commitment to public service.  We are very proud of her and her advancement in the profession,” said HBA-NJ President Hector D. Ruiz.     ### 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: Rachel A. Gonzalez, Esq., HBA-NJ Press Secretary, at rgonzalez@daypitney.com or (973) 966-8201. For more information about the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, please visit our website at: www.njhba.org or contact Hector D. Ruiz, Esq., HBA-NJ President, at hruiz@thewalshfirm.com or (973) 757-1100.
	©2017 Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey. You received this email because you are a valued friend of ours.  Please unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive such communications from us.

Celebrating 38 Years: 1980-2018 THE HISPANIC BAR ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY DENOUNCES THE SEPARATION OF FAMILIES AND DETENTION OF CHILDREN FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:  June 21, 2018 The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (“HBA-NJ”) strongly condemns the Trump Administration’s “zero-tolerance” prosecution policy that resulted in the separation of children from their families.  The Executive Order signed by President Trump on June 20, 2018, is woefully deficient, leaves many questions unanswered, and does not do enough to safeguard our children and lift the humanitarian crisis at the U.S.-Mexico border. In April 2018, the Trump Administration ordered prosecutors to “adopt immediately a zero-tolerance policy” for illegal border crossings.  This policy resulted in the wrongful, forcible separation of infants and young children from their families, and the detention of minor children in deplorable and traumatizing living conditions.  Since April, at least 2,300 children have been separated from their mothers and fathers.  Make no mistake about it: This policy is an attack on our community and is inconsistent with American values and principles. In response to public outcry, President Trump signed an Executive Order on June 20, 2018, which purports to keep families together at the border.  This irresolute Executive Order, however, continues to inflict harm on our children and families.  The Executive Order aims to imprison parents who are charged with a misdemeanor along with their children for indefinite periods of time.  In addition, through the Executive Order, the Trump Administration seeks to modify the Settlement Agreement in Flores v. Sessions, CV 85-4544, which requires that children not be detained for more than 20 days.  Such lengthening of the detention of minors may have severe negative psychological consequences on children who spend months and potentially years in detention centers.  Many questions remain unanswered by the June 20, 2018 Executive Order.  The Executive Order does not state when the separation of children from families will stop or when the Executive Order will be implemented.  It fails to address what will happen to the over 2,300 detained children who have already been separated from their parents and detained, the conditions in which they are already detained, or when they will be returned to their parents.  It also fails to address what will happen to the children whose parents have been deported or to the children who USCIS have failed to properly track.  There are reports that the USCIS cannot match some children with parents because of inadequate recordkeeping. The HBA-NJ is deeply concerned about the psychological effects on the young children as a result of their separation from their parents, prolonged detention in the USCIS shelter system, and confinement in detention centers.  “Whatever your stance is on immigration, young children should not be used as a political ploy in the immigration debate, especially given that first-time illegal entry is a misdemeanor,” said HBA-NJ President Hector D. Ruiz. The United States immigration system remains in dire need of comprehensive reform.  There is still no resolution for individuals under the DREAM Act.  Unaccompanied immigrant children are still not given the right to counsel.  Many individuals seeking asylum from persecution and violence continue to be held indefinitely even after proving credible fear.

The HBA-NJ calls upon the Trump Administration and Congress to enact real immigration reform to create a humane and thoughtful solution to the current crisis.  The HBA-NJ will continue to remain extremely vigilant on this issue and other legal issues affecting the Latino community. 

### 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. For press inquiries, please contact: Rachel A. Gonzalez, Esq., HBA-NJ Press Secretary, at rgonzalez@daypitney.com or (973) 966-8201.  For more information about the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, please visit our website at: www.njhba.org or contact Hector D. Ruiz, Esq., HBA-NJ President, at hruiz@thewalshfirm.com or (973) 757-1100. ©2018 Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey. You received this email because you are a valued friend of ours.  Please unsubscribe if you no longer wish to receive such communications from us.

Celebrating 38 Years:
1980-2018

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 5, 2018

The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (“HBA-NJ”) congratulates long-time member and former HBA-NJ General Counsel Juan Cartagena for being selected by the American Bar Association (“ABA”) to receive the prestigious John Marshall Award for 2018.  The ABA established the John Marshall Award to recognize individuals who have made a positive impact on the justice system.  It chose Mr. Cartagena to receive this distinguished award because of his years of dedication and hard work, which led to extraordinary improvements in the administration of justice and justice reform, and for bringing public awareness to the justice system.  The ABA will honor Mr. Cartagena at its annual meeting being held in Chicago, Illinois on August 3, 2018.

Mr. Cartagena is currently the President and General Counsel of Latino Justice PRLDEF, a national civil rights public interest law office.  He has worked nationally on voters rights and voter registration initiatives on behalf of Latino and African American communities.  He is known to use “the law to effectuate systems change for the benefit of marginalized communities.” 

Mr. Cartagena is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Columbia University School of Law.  He has received numerous other prestigious awards including:  the Freedom Fighter Award, Jersey City NAACP; the Martin Luther King, Jr. Social Justice Award, Dartmouth College; the Cesar Chavez Community Service Award, U.S. Hispanic Leadership Institute; and the Don Pedro Albizu Campos Award, Jersey City Borinquen Lions Club.

“On behalf of the HBA-NJ, I am delighted by the ABA’s selection of Juan as the recipient of the distinguished John Marshall Award for 2018.  Juan has been instrumental in bringing about change through the law for Latino, African American, and other under-represented communities.  It is a true testament to all that Juan has accomplished for him to receive national recognition before the ABA for his work."

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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: Rachel A. Gonzalez, Esq., HBA-NJ Press Secretary, at rgonzalez@daypitney.com or (973) 966-8201.

For more information about the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, please visit our website at: www.njhba.org or contact Hector D. Ruiz, Esq., HBA-NJ President, at hruiz@thewalshfirm.com or (973) 757-1100.

©2018 Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey.