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.”

###

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.

###

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

receive such communications from us.

	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

________________________________________________________________________________________

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.

 Celebrating 38 Years:

1980-2018

THE HISPANIC BAR ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY SUPPORTS NEW JERSEY BILL NUMBER S-699, WHICH WILL PROVIDE STUDENTS ACCESS TO STATE FINANCIAL AID REGARDLESS OF IMMIGRATION STATUS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: March 14, 2018

The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (HBA-NJ) supports New Jersey Bill Number S-699, as it will provide students access to state financial aid regardless of immigration status.  Under this bill, students who meet a number of stringent requirements are eligible to apply for, and participate in, state financial aid programs.  For many students, denial of access to financial aid precludes them from pursuing higher education and reaping the resulting economic benefits. 

If this bill becomes law, it will create resources for all students in New Jersey, including those who are undocumented, to achieve equal access to higher education opportunities.  Higher education results in additional economic opportunities and more individuals accessing positions that are vital to our society.  “Bill Number S-699 provides New Jersey with the opportunity to achieve true tuition equality, and make higher education a priority for all deserving students,” said HBA-NJ President Hector D. Ruiz. 

On March 13, 2018, the New Jersey Senate Budget Committee considered Bill Number S-699.  Members of HBA-NJ were present at this hearing where testimony was taken from stakeholders and state-wide organizations supporting the bill.  The New Jersey Budget Committee voted in favor of the bill, allowing it to proceed to a full-Senate vote.  “The HBA-NJ applauds the majority of the Senate Budget Committee Members who voted in favor of this Bill Number S-699 allowing all New Jersey students fair and equal access to higher education,” said Ruiz. 

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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    

 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.    

 

Celebrating 38 Years:

1980-2018

The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey Congratulates Three Members on Being Selected to Receive the Hispanic National Bar Association’s 2018 Top Lawyers Under 40 Awards

                               

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 23, 2018

The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (“HBA-NJ”) congratulates three members, Andrés (Andy) Acebo, Jaclyn Medina, and Miguel A. Nieves on being selected to receive the 2018 “Top Lawyers Under 40 Awards” from the Hispanic National Bar Association (“HNBA”). 

Mr. Acebo, Ms. Medina and Mr. Nieves are amongst 33 award winners nationwide whom the HNBA selected for this prestigious honor based upon their “demonstrated professional excellence, integrity, leadership, commitment to the Hispanic community, and dedication to improving the legal profession.” 

Andrés (Andy) Acebo

Mr. Acebo is a partner with the law firm of DeCotiis, FitzPatrick, Cole & Giblin LLP. He counsels and represents governmental entities, higher education institutions and public-school districts, and closely-held corporations. His practice focuses primarily on the areas of employment and labor, education law, and government/public entity law. He is regularly retained by governmental entities to conduct independent special investigations into alleged public official and employee misconduct and adverse employment actions. 

Prior to entering private practice, Mr. Acebo clerked for the Honorable Jonathan N. Harris, J.A.D. (retired) in the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey. He has published several articles concerning the cross-section of race, law, politics, and public policy with the Columbia Journal of Race and Law, the Brown University Policy Review, the Seton Hall Legislative Journal, and the Rutgers Race and the Law Review. Mr. Acebo also has been recognized as a Rising Star in the area of Labor and Employment by New Jersey Super Lawyers. He has also held leadership roles within local and national bar associations, including formerly as Press Secretary of the HBA-NJ. He currently serves as a Deputy Regional President (Region III) of the HNBA. Mr. Acebo received his undergraduate degree from Brown University and his Juris Doctor from Rutgers University School of Law.

Jaclyn Medina

Ms. Medina is a managing attorney and First Assistant of the Bergen Criminal Trial Region of New Jersey’s Office of the Public Defender. She represents indigent individuals charged with indictable crimes at all phases of trial litigation. She co-chairs the Public Defender’s Ethics and Professionalism Committee and serves on its statewide Continuing Legal Education Committee.  She has been a long time Board Member of the HBA-NJ, where she currently serves as the Vice-President of the Northern Region.  She also currently serves on the New Jersey Supreme Court’s Committee on Minority Concerns.

Ms. Medina has been an adjunct professor for over a decade at Fairleigh Dickinson University teaching undergraduate and graduate courses to Latino immigrants and diplomatic officials from various missions to the United Nations and Latin-American consulates. She was the recipient of a New Leaders of the Bar award from the New Jersey Law Journal in 2016.  She earned her undergraduate degree from the School of Diplomacy and International Relations at Seton Hall University and her Juris Doctor from Rutgers School of Law.

Miguel A. Nieves

Mr. Nieves is Vice President & Corporate Counsel for Prudential Financial and a member of the company’s Financial Management Law Group. He provides legal support to Prudential’s corporate treasury on a broad range of activities, including capital markets and intercompany financing transactions, and securities law matters.

Prior to joining Prudential, Mr. Nieves was an associate in Sidley Austin’s Capital Markets Group in New York, where he represented issuers and underwriters in a variety of public offerings and private placements of securities, worked extensively on liability management transactions, and provided legal advice to clients under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Mr. Nieves received his undergraduate degree from Princeton University and his Juris Doctor from Fordham University School of Law.

“On behalf of the HBA-NJ, we are extremely proud that Andy, Jaclyn and Miguel have been recognized nationally for their tremendous achievements in the legal profession, as well as in the community,” said HBA-NJ President Hector D. Ruiz.  “For all that they have accomplished, they truly deserve this honor and recognition.”   

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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

Celebrating 37 Years:

1980-2017

The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey Congratulates Appointees to Governor-Elect Murphy’s Transition2018 Committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 28, 2017

The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (“HBA-NJ”) applauds Governor-Elect Philip D. Murphy on appointing a diverse group of individuals to his Transition2018 Committee. The HBA-NJ congratulates its members who received appointments, as well as appointees from the Garden State Bar Association, New Jersey Muslim Lawyers Association, and the Association of Black Women Lawyers of New Jersey.

The Transition2018 Committee consists of 500 appointees to the following subcommittees: transition counsel; agriculture; budget; education, access, and opportunity; environment and energy; government technology and innovation; healthcare; housing; human and children services; labor and workforce development; law and justice; military and veteran affairs; stronger and fairer economy; transportation and infrastructure; and urban and regional growth. These subcommittees will meet before Governor-Elect Murphy takes office in January 2018 and will provide him with reports and recommendations to help the new administration set its legislative and regulatory agenda.

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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: 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.

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