Earlier this fall, the New Jersey Commission on Professionalism in the Law recognized dozens of attorneys from across the state with Professional Lawyer of the Year Awards. The awards recognize lawyers for character, competence and exemplary professional behavior.

We asked the awardees to tell us what inspired them about the legal profession. Here are some of their answers:

“It is unfortunate that the public often portrays lawyers in a negative light. It is my experience that the overwhelming majority of lawyers are ethical, charitable, intelligent and caring individuals; this is what makes me proud of our profession.”

—Jacqueline Hawkins Stiles, Atlantic County Bar Association

“The first thing that inspires me about our legal profession is the important difference we make each day in the lives of the public we serve. The second inspiration is that as professionals, we are equal before the law, and measured only by our abilities and character.”

—Robert B. Hille, Bergen County Bar Association

“Harvey Mitnick was a friend of mine for many years. A professionalism award in his name is wonderfully appropriate: Treat everyone with respect; be polite; don't be a jerk. Professionalism is the highest honor in the law and I am most grateful to the bar association for thinking of me.”

—Robert G. Harbeson, Camden County Bar Association

“Heroes save lives; attorneys merely save reputations. But sometimes that is the same thing!”

—Brian McEwing, Cape May County Bar Association

“In the practice of law, as in life, success may be predicated on the way others view you; attitude counts, and it cannot be dismissed.”

—Theodore E. Baker, Cumberland County Bar Association

“I believe all lawyers are charged by oath of office with the responsibility to seek justice for all and to bring honor to the profession. For me, my word has always been my bond in dealing with everyone—client, adversary, the courts and others. I have tried to fairly, and with due respect, be an advocate without losing sight of the truth and the reputation of the profession. Those goals have worked for me.”

—Barry A. Kozyra, Essex County Bar Association

“I am deeply inspired to be part of one of the very few professions that allows one the opportunity to provide a lifeline to people in difficult situations. I also value working with other dedicated members of the legal profession to foster and promote the fair administration of justice.”

—Carolyn B. Uliase, Gloucester County Bar Association

“After 45 years, I continue to be inspired by the quality of advocacy, sincerity and civility of the attorneys I have encountered. Their professionalism makes the practice of law truly enjoyable.”

—Honorable Thomas L. Weisenbeck, Morris County Bar Association

“A quote from Albert Schweitzer: 'The first step in the evolution of ethics is a sense of solidarity with other human beings.'”

—Honorable John A. Peterson Jr. [ret.], Ocean County Bar Association

“After spending the first 25 years of my career as a police officer, I recognized that it was important to be a voice for victims. I also realized it is necessary to provide whatever services we can to help change the lives of some who are charged with crimes. This is why I chose to be a prosecutor.”

—William J. Brennan, Salem County Bar Association

“Anyone who specializes in family law knows how emotionally draining and challenging the practice can be day to day. My motivation and approach is to help people transition through a difficult time in their lives, while simultaneously offering sound legal advice.”

—Mark T. Mayrides, Somerset County Bar Association

“What nobler cause is there than to help a person in need? Lawyers protect the vulnerable, restore rights unjustly taken, and secure access to justice for all. Throughout time, we have been advocates for equality and the guardians of the rights and freedom of individuals.”

—Thomas H. Prol, Sussex County Bar Association

“As a young lawyer, the most valuable guidance I ever received was 'do the right thing.' I found that statement to be liberating and use it to define and navigate my professional career.”

—Hester H. Agudosi, Association of Black Women Lawyers of New Jersey

“As a criminal defense attorney, particularly as a public defender, I stand with frightened people in their darkest hour; I am often the only one who does. My duty is my privilege.”

—Judith B. Fallon, Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers

“Lord Brougham, Queen Caroline's defender, said, 'a lawyer in the discharge of his duty knows but one person in all the world and that person is his client.' Charles Hamilton Houston, the strategic father of Brown v. Board of Education, said, 'A lawyer is either a social engineer or a parasite of society.' Theodore Parker, a 19th century abolitionist, said, 'The arc of the moral universe is long but it bends toward justice.' On these three pillars should hang the concept of professionalism in our noble craft.”

—Raymond M. Brown, Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey

“The legal profession inspires me because it has given me the unique opportunity to help others and to make a difference in the lives of individuals in the community. Specifically, as a prosecutor I have the honor, privilege and responsibility to be an advocate for seeking justice, which benefits everyone in our society.”

—Portia N. Downing, Garden State Bar Association

“For me, what is quintessential about our profession is that we exist fundamentally to offer service to others.”

—Carmen M. Garcia, Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey

“A quote from Bryan Stephenson, founder of Equal Justice Initiative: 'All of our survival is tied to the survival of everyone,' and we cannot be fully evolved human beings until we care about justice for all and are truly willing to confront our difficult past.”

—Tracey C. Hinson, New Jersey Association for Justice

“In the legal profession, we have the privilege of guiding our clients through difficult and emotional circumstances. What greater satisfaction can there be, when we are able to lead our clients through seemingly overwhelming problems.”

—Joseph J. Garvey, New Jersey Defense Association

“Complex civilizations are built upon expectations. Your reasonable expectation that others will: exchange a meal for money, honor the red light, respect my locked door, etc…. is the sine qua non of civilization; its complexity is directly dependent upon the degree of trust one can have in the realization of those expectations. In society, we call the fulfillment of those expectations manners; in the law, we call it professionalism. These are the norms that lubricate life. If there is any tradition that is charged with leading the way, it is we the minions of the law. I am inspired daily by that opportunity!”

—Arnold N. Fishman, New Jersey State Bar Association

“As an immigrant Muslim American woman, I cherish the ideals of our justice system and live every day inspired by them and work every day to realize them.”

—Atiya Aftab, New Jersey Muslim Lawyers Association

“I am inspired every day by lawyers who fight hard for their clients but continue to show respect and courtesy to their adversaries. It is a testament to the lawyers of New Jersey that my adversary of today is often my friend and colleague of tomorrow.”

—Linda G. Harvey, New Jersey Women Lawyers Association

“The thing that inspires me about the legal profession is unity, even during times of adversity. Lawyers have come together, regardless of political affiliations, to support the promotion of diversity throughout the state of New Jersey. The affinity bars continue to band together to support each other, which is inspirational.”

—Sharmila D. Jaipersaud, South Asian Bar Association of New Jersey

“I still feel as privileged today to be a part of this profession as I did when I passed the bar 30 years ago. Indeed, each new opportunity to interact with the dedicated lawyers across the state of New Jersey only reinforces that feeling and my commitment to the practice of law.”

—Craig S. Hilliard, Trial Lawyers of New Jersey