NJ Muslim Lawyers Association Holds Annual Gala

The New Jersey Muslim Lawyers Association hosted its annual gala on Nov. 15 at the Hyatt in New Brunswick. The organization is in its 13th year, and the event was attended by nearly 300 people, comprised of the bench, bar, law enforcement, religious groups, nonprofits, social activists and various other professionals, NJMLA said in a release. TV Asia televised the event, and comedian Aman Ali was the master of ceremonies. The NJMLA honored the first known Muslim/Pakistani descent federal judge in New Jersey, U.S.Magistrate Judge Zahid N. Quraishi; as well as Khadijah Sharif-Drinkard, vice president of legal of Black Entertainment Television, the keynote speaker; Day Pitney, for its commitment to diversity; Nina Rossi of CAIR-NJ, for her work on civil rights; and the first two known Muslim chiefs of police in New Jersey, Ahmed S. Naga of Long Hill Township and Mustafa L. Rabboh of Bergenfield Township. NJMLA's board members took their oaths, administered by Superior Court Judge Sharifa R. Salaam, affirming to uphold the U.S. and New Jersey Constitutions, on a Quran from the Ottoman era estimated to be more than 200 years old. NJMLA President Ehsan F. Chowdhry during his remarks called for the crowd to move forward as a cohesive unit toward universal goals, the release noted. For Chowdhry, 2019 marks his last year as president after serving for the last three and a half years. A staffer for Gov. Phil Murphy presented a letter from Murphy about the organization's work and a congratulatory note for Chowdhry, the release noted.

Hunterdon County Bar Donates to Food Pantries

HUNTERDON BAR DONATES TO LOCAL FOOD PANTRIES: Shown, from left to right: Zachary Berliner, Director of Social Services at the Fisherman's Mark Food Pantry, HCBA Secretary Lisa Browning; Kevin Cook and Stacy Stansbury, Board members at the Readington Starfish Food Pantry; Bill Testa, Team Lead and Board member at the Flemington Area Food Pantry; Jennifer Williford, Business Coordination and Development Manager at the Fisherman's Mark Food Pantry; HCBA President Elect Peter Marra; HCBA Past President Kasia Zielinski; HCBA Trustee Therese Thompson; and HCBA Executive Director Lyn Brokaw at Lone Eagle Brewing in Flemington on December 10.

On December 10, 2019, the Hunterdon County Bar Association gathered at Lone Eagle Brewing in Flemington to celebrate the holiday season. With over 50 judges and lawyers in attendance, President Elect Peter Marra of Schenck, Price, Smith & King welcomed all, including Zachary Berliner and Jennifer Williford from the Fisherman's Mark Food Pantry, Kevin Cook and Stacy Stansbury from the Readington Starfish Food Pantry and Bill Testa from the Flemington Area Food Pantry. The representatives of the food pantries accepted holiday donations from the Hunterdon County Bar Association. Holiday donations have been sent to the other food pantries serving Hunterdon County residents. Nonperishable food items were also donated by all in attendance. In addition, on December 3, 2019, members of the Hunterdon County Bar Association and their family members gathered at the Flemington Area Food Pantry for an evening of service. Those present packed over 250 meal bags to be distributed during the month of December. 

Day Pitney's NJ Office Holds 27th Annual JBWS Holiday Drive

DONATIONS FOR WOMEN'S SHELTER: Pictured are, from left to right: Michael Dunne, Esq., Joy Harmon Sperling, Esq. Claudia Valdivia, Monica Allen, Eileen Louisa, Anette Angelini, Nicholas Pellegrine, Deanna Christian, Esq., Christopher Stracco, Esq. Sherri Janzen, Melissa Miele and Tempest Rice at Day Pitney's Parsippany office on December 9, 2019.[Courtesy Photo.]