Hispanic Bar Holds 38th Annual Scholarship and Awards Dinner

HBA 38TH ANNUAL GALA: From Left to Right: Robert Goldenberg, Reed Smith LLP; Robert Lamilla, HBA-NJ Scholarship Committee chair; Melinda Colon Cox, HBA-NJ President-Elect; Jose Martin Jara, Archer & Greiner PC; Carlos Bollar, Archer & Greiner PC; Julia Lopez, HBA-NJ President and Reed Smith LLP; Anna Maria Tejada and Michael Plata, NJ Hispanic Bar Foundation, Inc., Chair and Treasurer; Jose Rivera, UBS; Jennifer Eppensteiner, Reed Smith LLP; Leidy Gutierrez, HBA-NJ Trustee and Reed Smith LLP; Katelin Morales, Reed Smith LLP, at the 38th annual Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey Scholarship and Awards Gala at The Legacy Castle in Pompton Plains on June 22, 2019. (The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, Reed Smith, LLP, and Archer & Greiner PC are founding contributors of the HBA-NJ Scholarship Endowment Fund.)

The Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey held its 38th annual gala at The Legacy Castle in Pompton Plains on June 22, with almost 400 attorneys, federal and state judges, law students, and others in attendance, according to the organization. The association recognized Parker Ibrahim & Berg, a longtime supporter, as the “Law Firm of the Year” for demonstrated commitment to diversity and inclusion in the legal profession. Beacon Hill Legal was named “Corporate Partner of the Year” for trusted service to law firms and companies across the state. The Margarita Echevarria “Trailblazer Award” went to Evelyn Padin, who became the first Latina president of the New Jersey State Bar Association in its 120-year history. President Julia A. López said in a statement: “The Gala recognized longtime supporters of the HBA-NJ and the Latinx community. The HBA-NJ also made history by presenting over $100,000 between scholarships and the creation of a scholarship endowment that will help sustain HBA-NJ's goals going forward.” The organization awarded $52,000 in scholarships to 12 Latinx law students and two American Dream Pipeline Program high school students, and it established the HBA-NJ Scholarship Endowment with an initial check in the amount of $50,000, according to the release. During the Gala, Carimer N. Andujar, a dreamer and graduate of the pipeline program, spoke at the event. López said, “This year's theme was Diversity Makes America Great and having Carimer address the guests at the Gala was important to me. She epitomizes the immigrant story of someone who had to flee terrible conditions in order to survive and find opportunities for a better life. Not only did she find those opportunities, but she succeeded.” 

Gebhardt & Kiefer Celebrates 135th Anniversary

GEHBARDT FIRM ENTERS RUBBER DUCKY RACE: Gebhardt & Kiefer staff get ready for the Clinton Sunrise Rotary's Great Rubber Ducky Race on July 14 by sponsoring 135 rubber ducks. Staff members pictured include Donna Dias (front), (left to right) Patti Hammer, Richard Cushing, Lisa Arrigo, Tara St. Angelo, Diana Fredericks, Mark Chazin, Kelly Lichtenstein, and Gail Gitch.

In celebration of its 135th anniversary, Gebhardt & Kiefer in Clinton sponsored 135 rubber ducks to swim in the Clinton Sunrise Rotary's “Great Rubber Ducky Race,” the firm announced. The 30th annual race took place on July 14 at the south branch of the Raritan River in Clinton. The event benefited the American Cancer Society and the Cancer Support Community of Central New Jersey. The firm said it will continue this year to make monthly contributions to charitable organizations in increments of 135. So far the firm has donated 135 buckets of household cleaning supplies to Fisherman's Mark Food Pantry in Lambertville, 135 packs of diapers to the United Way of Hunterdon County's Diaper Bank, 135 pet care items to the St. Hubert's Animal Welfare Center, 135 ShopRite gift cards to the Dr. Orlie Pell Fund, 135 bundles of personal care items to Family Promise of Hunterdon, and 135 movie theater tickets to the ARC of Hunterdon County, the firm said.

Leo Installed as Sussex County Bar President

Ursula H. Leo

Ursula H. Leo, a partner with Laddey Clark & Ryan in Sparta,  and chair of the firm's employment and labor practice and government services group, was installed as president of the Sussex County Bar Association on June 27 at The Newton Country Club in Newton. She is the seventh Laddey Clark attorney in the firm's 30-year history to serve in the role, a release said. Two other Laddey Clark attorneys—Jonathan E. McMeen and Thomas H. Prol—were installed as members of the association's board of trustees at the event. Leo was sworn in by Superior Court Judge Michael Gaus. She is currently the attorney for the Town of Newton, Green Township, Stanhope Borough, and the Lafayette Township Land Use Board. She represents individuals and developers in applications before planning and zoning boards, and various government entities.