Celebrating 45 Years:
1980-2025
THE HISPANIC BAR ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY COMMENDS JUDICIAL ACTION BLOCKING UNCONSTITUTIONAL FEDERAL EXECUTIVE ORDERS
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: February 7, 2025
The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (HBA-NJ) ) applauds U.S. District Judges Deborah L. Boardman and John Coughenour for issuing back-to-back injunctions to block a presidential Executive Order intended to curb birthright citizenship guaranteed under the 14th Amendment of the United States Constitution.
The Executive Order, “Protecting the Meaning and Value of American Citizenship,” signed by President Donald J. Trump on January 20, 2025, disregards more than a century of legal precedent. The HBA-NJ commends the various immigration advocacy groups, as well as 22 states, including New Jersey, that filed lawsuits challenging the Executive Order. As stated by New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin, “The president cannot, with a stroke of a pen, write the 14th Amendment out of existence, period.”
The Executive Order is one of several controversial federal actions adversely impacting immigration laws, policy and due process. The U.S. Department of Justice recently suspended critical programs that provide immigrants access to basic legal information and representation. Multiple Executive Orders revoked categorical parole programs and expanded the use of immigration enforcement. These actions, paired with promises by President Trump to carry out “the largest deportation program in American history,” are leading to unconstitutional detainments and expedited removals.
“As an immigrant who was welcomed to the United States during the Mariel Boatlift, I am deeply saddened by these draconian directives,” said Alex J. Fajardo, President of the HBA-NJ. “To think that Americans who look a certain way will need to carry ‘their papers’ with them at all times, out of fear of arrest during one of these targeted enforcement operations, is dismaying. For many individuals living in this nation, seeking refuge was the only way to save their lives. This country has a long-standing tradition of offering relief to those in need through avenues such as asylum or refugee status. Undocumented residents in New Jersey contribute to our economy by paying taxes, opening business, and providing critical services and employment opportunities within our communities.”
In 2022 alone, undocumented immigrants paid $46.8 billion in federal taxes, $29.3 billion in state and local taxes, $27.7 billion in Social Security taxes, $6.4 billion in Medicare taxes, and $1.8 billion in unemployment insurance. This influx to the economy comes from undocumented immigrants who will likely never benefit from government programs like Medicare or Social Security.
“Enforcing the new Executive Orders issued by the President will devastate those targeted for deportation, separate families, and inflict severe harm on our economy,” said Fajardo. “The HBA-NJ stands ready to assist individuals whose rights are violated as a result of these recent measures.”
The HBA-NJ is committed to working with our affiliates and partner organizations to monitor and respond to ongoing developments. The HBA-NJ is partnered with the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA) Region 3 in recruiting attorneys interested in assisting individuals, businesses and non-profit organizations understand and assert their rights. Interested attorneys, who need not have experience with immigration law prior to the training, can sign up for additional information here:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeH7hxcde11iK1idBQ907nDpv0fgLWmaMsgV_EMBLduTE5nGw/viewform.
While it is evident that the Trump administration is disproportionately targeting the Latino community, we recognize that this approach may soon extend to other groups that do not conform to a narrow, outdated view of what Americans should be or look like. This approach not only harms our communities but undermines the diversity and values that define our nation. While we advocate for immigration reform and the protection of our borders, we must do so with policies that respect and protect all individuals, regardless of their background.
As members of the bar, we reaffirm our unwavering commitment to upholding the Constitution, protecting individual rights, and fostering a nation rooted in equality and justice for all.
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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 IMMEDIATE RELEASE: June 27, 2024.
On June 8, 2024, the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (“HBA-NJ”) hosted its 43rd Annual Scholarship Gala & Awards Dinner at The Riverview Ballroom in Cliffside Park, New Jersey. It was a full-house at The Riverview Ballroom, with over 260 attorneys, judges, law students, legal professionals, guests united in celebration of the HBA-NJ’s 2024 Scholarship Recipients and its Corporate Partner of the Year Award, Law Firm of the Year Award, Corporate Attorney of the Year Award, and Margarita Echevarria Trailblazer Award honorees.
Thanks to the continued support of its generous sponsors, the HBA-NJ awarded a total of $53,000 in scholarships. These scholarships were awarded to 18 deserving law school students from Rutgers Law (Newark and Camden), Seton Hall Law, Charles Widger School of Law (Villanova University), City University of New York Law, Irvine School of Law (University of California), and Harvard Law. Scholarships were also awarded to two high school students from Passaic and Union City who participated in the HBA-NJ’s very own American Dream Pipeline Program. The HBA-NJ applauds its scholarship recipients for their academic achievements, their demonstration of perseverance and accomplishment within the Hispanic community, and the great promise they hold for the future of the bar and our community at large.
Further, the HBA-NJ recognized four honorees for their dedication to the mission of the HBA-NJ, their advocacy for diversity and inclusion, and their leadership within their respective spaces. Notably, the HBA-NJ honored Esquire Process Servicing, LLC as Corporate Partner of the Year for its support of the HBA-NJ and its programming, as well as its comprehensive and trusted legal support services nationwide. The HBA-NJ honored Riker Danzig LLP as Law Firm of the Year for its commitment to diversity and inclusion in the workplace, and its dedication to the highest standards of professional excellence. The HBA-NJ also awarded its inaugural Corporate Attorney of the Year Award to José Ramón González, Esq., Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary of Equitable Holdings, Inc., for his exemplary contributions and leadership in the corporate space, as well as his advocacy for underrepresented voices by way of his integral involvement in organizations like Latino Justice PRLDEF, the Latino Donor Collaborative, and the Cuban American Alliance for Leadership & Education (CAALE). The HBA-NJ’s award segment concluded with the recognition of its Margarita Echevarria Trailblazer Award recipient, Daniel Mateo, Esq., a partner at Holland & Knight LLP, the 2023-2024 President of the Hispanic National Bar Association, and a past president of the HBA-NJ. Mateo was highlighted for his longstanding mentorship of Hispanic attorneys in New Jersey and beyond, his extensive work advancing diversity and inclusion initiatives and his courage and foresight as a trailblazer for Hispanic Attorneys.
During the Gala, the HBA-NJ’s 44th President, Jacqueline Peña, congratulated the honorees and spoke of this year’s theme of Pa’lante: Progress Through Purpose. President Peña expressed the HBA-NJ’s pride in helping this year’s scholarship recipients realize their aspirations of becoming future members of the legal community. Ms. Peña also congratulated this year’s award recipients for embodying the spirit of progress through purpose through their work in furthering the interests and representation of members of the Hispanic community.
The HBA-NJ extends its deepest gratitude to our Gala guests for their generous support and their attendance at this year’s ceremony. We would also like to extend a special thank you to our Gala sponsors:
Annual Underwriter and Diamond Gala Sponsor
Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Annual Benefactor and Gold Gala Sponsor
Archer & Greiner, P.C.
Annual Amigo and Platinum Gala Sponsor
Reed Smith LLP
Platinum Gala Sponsors
Day Pitney LLP
Johnson and Johnson
Annual Amigo and Gold Gala Sponsors
Baker Hostetler LLP
Bederson LLP
Bowman and Brooke LLP
Hudson Court Reporting
Riker Danzig LLP
Stark & Stark, P.C.
Annual Primo and Silver Gala Sponsor
Plata Law Group LLC
Silver Gala Sponsors
Faegre Drinker Biddle & Reath LLP
Hinshaw & Culbertson LLP
Holland & Knight LLP
For press inquiries, please contact: Jacqueline S. Peña, Esq., HBA-NJ President, at Jacqueline.Pena@bowmanandbrooke.com, and Press Secretaries, Janett Smyth at jsmyth@ryker.com and Maria Marrero at m.marrero22@gmail.com
For more information about the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, please visit our website at: www.njhba.org.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 22, 2023
The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (HBA-NJ) congratulates long-time members the Honorable Raquel Vallejo and Wendy Reek, and former Hudson County Assistant Prosecutor, Leonardo A. Hernandez, on their confirmations as judges of the New Jersey Superior Court. The HBA-NJ also congratulates the Honorable Yolanda C. Rodriguez, J.S.C., and the Honorable Lisa Miralles Walsh, A.J.S.C. on their receipt of tenure. Notably, Judge Miralles Walsh is the first Latina to serve as Assignment Judge in Union County.
Judge Vallejo is a former trustee of the HBA-NJ, having served on the board for over 9 years in the roles of Union County Trustee and Trustee-at-Large. She has extensive experience litigating complex and contested matrimonial and family law issues. She dedicated much of her practice to advocacy for victims and the wrongfully accused. Judge Vallejo is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Matrimonial Attorney, an achievement held by only 0.5% of attorneys in the State. While appearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee, Judge Vallejo praise her 90-year-old mother in attendance at the hearing, remarking: “I was raised by a single mother who taught me the value of education, hard work, perseverance, and determination. Thanks to her sacrifices, I’m living proof that the American dream is attainable.” She will serve in the Superior Court of New Jersey for Union County.
Ms. Wendy Reek is a skilled trial attorney, having tried more than 70 jury trials to verdict. She is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a civil trial attorney, a distinction held by less than 2% of attorneys in New Jersey. Ms. Reek was honored last month by the Middlesex County Trial Lawyers Association as the 2023 recipient of the Herman L. Breitkopf Award. She will serve in the Superior Court of New Jersey for Somerset County.
Mr. Leonardo A. Hernandez was an Assistant Prosecutor with the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office. At the Hudson Prosecutor’s Office, he oversaw homicide investigations and prosecuted complex and high-profile criminal cases. He will serve in the Superior Court of New Jersey for Essex County.
For press inquiries, please contact: Jacqueline S. Peña, Esq., HBA-NJ President, at Jacqueline.Pena@bowmanandbrooke.com, and Press Secretaries, Janett Smyth, Esq. at JSmyth@hoaglandlongo.com and Maria Marrero, Esq. at M.Marrero22@gmail.com
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 30, 2023.
The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (HBA-NJ) would like to extend our sincere sympathies for the lives lost and continued violence in Israel and Palestine, and the traumatizing impact on our loved ones, families, and community, at home and abroad. We condemn the terrorist attacks carried out by Hamas and stand in solidarity with the innocent people of Israel and Palestine. As a diverse and inclusive organization, we stand with the rights of Jewish and Muslim Americans and condemn all acts of hate speech and violence. During this difficult time leading into the holidays, we are grateful for the support expressed by fellow affinity bars and ask others to join in standing up against antisemitism and Islamophobia.
For press inquiries, please contact: Jacqueline S. Peña, Esq., HBA-NJ President, at Jacqueline.Pena@bowmanandbrooke.com, and Press Secretaries, Janett Smyth, Esq. at jsmyth@hoaglandlongo.com and Maria Marrero, Esq. at m.marrero22@gmail.com
THE HISPANIC BAR ASSOCIATION OF NEW JERSEY CELEBRATES THE INSTALLATION OF JACQUELINE PEÑA AS ITS 44TH PRESIDENT AND THE SWEARING IN OF ITS 2023-2024 OFFICERS AND TRUSTEES
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 14, 2023.
On November 1, 2023, the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (“HBA-NJ”) held its 44th Annual Installation and Swearing-In Ceremony of its Officers and Trustees at the Crystal Plaza in Livingston, New Jersey. Longtime member of the HBA-NJ and Past President, Anna María Tejada, a partner at Saul Ewing LLP, served as the mistress of ceremonies at the sold-out ceremony, which had 350+ guests in attendance, including, but not limited to, judges, lawyers, and students from numerous counties throughout the State.
The Honorable Michael Noriega, Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, and longtime supporter of the HBA-NJ, swore in the Officers and Trustees. The Officers and Trustees were especially honored to be sworn in by Justice Noriega, currently, the only Hispanic Justice on the Court. The Honorable Jaclyn V. Medina, Judge of the Superior Court for Bergen County, and former executive board member of the HBA-NJ, swore in Jacqueline S. Peña as the 44th President of the HBA-NJ. Peña, an associate at Bowman and Brooke LLP and first generation American, kicked off her inaugural remarks as President of the HBA-NJ by introducing the 2023-2024 theme, “Pa’lante: Progress Through Purpose.” Pa’lante, a Spanish contraction of para adelante, means “straight ahead” or “forward.” President Peña encouraged attendees to remember theirs and the HBA-NJ’s purpose as they move forward as members of the Hispanic legal community. She explained that the key to furthering the HBA-NJ’s purpose, which includes diversity and inclusion within the legal community and the community at-large, was education and mentorship, and challenged listeners to honor their responsibility to “ensure that our current members and the next generation of Latino lawyers have the knowledge and support they need to succeed.” Peña noted that, despite having graduated from high school as valedictorian, she felt underprepared for the rigors of the much larger setting that was her college experience. Peña remarked that she met that challenge with a determination to succeed and moved forward with the support of her family, community, and mentors, many of whom she met through the HBA-NJ. In speaking of the plans for her tenure, President Peña announced the anticipated expansion of the American Dream Pipeline Program, a program started by the HBA-NJ in 2013 to mentor high school students in urban areas. Peña also announced the launch of a new pipeline program designed to help members achieve in-house counsel roles, equity partnership, and “rainmaker” status. “By empowering our members and future lawyers with information,” Peña asserted, “we can pave the way for progress through purpose.”
Albertina “Abby” Webb, Immediate Past President of the HBA-NJ and a partner at Hill Wallack LLP, closed her tenure as President of the HBA-NJ by giving an impassioned and inspiring speech highlighting the HBA-NJ’s dedication to the Hispanic community of New Jersey, and urging the attendees to “lift as you climb.” Webb also underscored the HBA-NJ’s accomplishments during her term as president, including the continuation of the Nuts & Bolts program with the New Jersey Women’s Lawyers Association, the alliances made with fellow affinity bars, the seminars presented to boost awareness of domestic violence, and the organization’s newly attained CLE accreditation status. Webb also presented this year’s Corazón Del HBA-NJ Award to Arianna Mouré, Membership Secretary of the HBA-NJ and Counsel at Scarinci Hollenbeck, for her unwavering service to the affinity bar. Also of special note was the call to continued service and collaboration made during the speech of Daniel Mateo, National President of the Hispanic National Bar Association, Past President of the HBA-NJ (2011-2012), and a partner at Holland & Knight LLP. Mateo highlighted that, of the past presidents of the Hispanic National Bar Association, three (himself included) have hailed from New Jersey.
For press inquiries, please contact: Jacqueline S. Peña, Esq., HBA-NJ President, at Jacqueline.Pena@bowmanandbrooke.com, and Press Secretaries, Janett Smyth at jsmyth@hoaglandlongo.com and Maria Marrero at m.marrero22@gmail.com
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!”
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 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.
