Barry Mandelbaum, left, and Raj Gadhok, right, at the Essex County Bar Association's annual installation dinner on April 25. 2018, where Gadhok became president for the 2018-19 term. |

Essex Gun Buy-Back Program Launched

The Essex County Bar Association, partnering with Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino's Office, launched a 2018 "Gun Buy Back Initiative," with a buy-back event to be held held on Sept. 15, 2018 at Bethany Church in West Orange. The Initiative was announced by Raj Gadhok, partner with Mandelbaum Salsburg recently installed president of the Essex County Bar Association at the annual installation dinner on April 25 at the Grove in Cedar Grove. Before the event, Gadhok established a commission of bar leaders to help with the initiative. "We must get illegal guns off of our streets. It is not only the right thing to do, but it is our obligation as leaders in our communities to protect our children, our families and our friends," Gadhok said at the event. "In order to make the program a success, we need to generate funds to buy back these illegal weapons.” Mandelbaum Saslburg founder Barry Mandelbaum pledged the first $5,000, and the Essex County Prosecutor's Office provided a match of $5,000, plus a contribution of personnel, according to a release. The Essex Bar set up a website for donations through the Essex County Bar Foundation at http://www.essexbar.com/page/2018gunbuyback.

Left to right: Riker Danzig counsel Teresa L. Moore, associate Natalya G. Johnson, and summer associates Goldie Bryant and Jennifer Winkler |

Riker Danzig Lawyers Suppor VLJ's Summer Soiree

Attorneys from Riker Danzig Scherer Hyland & Perretti in Morristown supported the Volunteer Lawyers for Justice "Summer Soiree" at the Essex Fells Country Club on June 28, 2018. Firm associate Natalya G. Johnson is a member of "Generation Now," a committee of young lawyers supporting VLJ that encourages young lawyers to volunteer with and raise funds for the organization. Volunteer Lawyers for Justice provides free legal services throughout the state with more than 1,500 attorneys and paralegals who volunteer their time to various programs, according to the organization. VLJ's mission is "to improve the lives of economically-disadvantaged adults, children, and families in New Jersey by empowering them with tools, advice, and pro bono representation with the goal of securing fair and equal treatment within the legal system."