Compassion, gratitude, humility and civility: these were the qualities celebrated Oct. 10 as attorneys from across the state gathered to honor colleagues at the New Jersey Commission on Professionalism in the Law annual awards luncheon.

Thirty-four attorneys received Professional Lawyer of the Year Awards from bar associations across the state. In addition, the commission presented the Daniel J. O'Hern Award to Richard J. Badolato and the Charles J. Hollenbeck Award to David G. Sciarra.

“These are the luminaries of our craft,” said Paula Franzese, chair of the commission and Peter W. Rodino Professor of Law at Seton Hall University. “We live in less than civil times … we see a certain desensitization to the fact that words matter, character matters. But we (lawyers) don't forget that.”

Chief Federal District Court Judge Jose L. Linares and New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Barry T. Albin also delivered introductory remarks.

Sciarra, executive director of the Education Law Center, was hailed by presenters as a trailblazer, champion of the underdog and defender of due process and equal protection for all.

“We owe him the greatest debt,” said Lawrence S. Lustberg, who introduced Sciarra. “While there are many great lawyers … there are none who have succeeded more than David Sciarra in improving the lives of the least advantaged people in society,” he said

The crowd rose to their feet as Sciarra took the podium. “What I cherish most is the opportunity to do my small part in bringing to light stories of injustice experienced by … so many (who are) living at the margins of society.”

He highlighted the need for pro bono representation in New Jersey, a need he said he saw every day through his work at the Education Law Center. “It's time to double our commitment to pro bono service,” he said. “We have a profound obligation to give back.”

Badolato, a civil trial attorney at Walsh Pizzi O'Reilly Falanga, was celebrated for a career of more than five decades in New Jersey. He was president of the NJSBA from 2002 to 2003, president of the New Jersey State Bar Foundation from 2009 to 2011, and has held leadership roles on multiple committees of the NJSBA, the Essex County Bar Association, the American Bar Association and more. In 2015, Governor Chris Christie appointed him the acting commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance.

Peter J. Pizzi introduced Badolato, reflecting on his warmth, civility and professionalism.

“To be honored for what we should do, as lawyers, is mind boggling,” Badolato said. “After all, all we are doing is what is expected of us.” Lawyers, he said, should be zealous in their advocacy of a client, but “always treating law with respect.”

He challenged the profession to reach out to other professions and industries and work together to elevate professional conduct.

The New Jersey Commission on Professionalism in the Law is a cooperative effort of the New Jersey State Bar Association, the state and federal Judiciary, and New Jersey's three law schools. The initiative's goal is to highlight the values that have historically made the practice of law a distinguished profession, and instill public respect for judges and the justice system.