Hayden Receives Daniel J. O'Hern Award

Joseph A. Hayden Jr. of Pashman Stein Walder Hayden in Hackensack received the 2020 Daniel J. O'Hern Award. The award is presented annually by the New Jersey Commission on Professionalism in the Law, a cooperative effort of the New Jersey State Bar Association, the New Jersey judiciary and New Jersey's law schools, given to a senior member of the bar who has demonstrated outstanding character and career achievement, and who has continually displayed a firm commitment to the ideals of professionalism. "First of all, I would like to express my appreciation to Rutgers Law School, where I received a superb legal education during an exciting time period in our country—the late '60s," said Hayden in a statement. "I would also like to express my appreciation to the giants of the trial bar, such as Raymond A. Brown, Michael Querques, Fred Lacey and Justin Walder, who inspired me by their work ethic and professionalism." Pashman Stein managing partner Michael S. Stein said in a statement that Hayden "has dedicated his career to ensuring access to fair representation. He has contributed so much to this profession and our legal community through his ability to lead by example, and we are so very proud of him." Justin P. Walder, firm partner and cochair of its litigation practice, said in a statement: "I have counted Joe not only as a colleague but also a friend for decades. He is one of the brightest legal minds I know, and I can think of no one more deserving." Prior to attending law school, Hayden participated in the Selma Civil Rights march in 1965 led by Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. He began his legal career as a law clerk to the chief justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, and was then appointed deputy attorney general in the Organized Crime and Special Prosecution Section of the Division of Criminal Justice. As deputy attorney general, Hayden tried the first wiretap case brought by the state of New Jersey. Hayden was the founder and first president of the Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey in 1985. He worked closely with Gov. James McGreevy on prisoner reentry matters and presently serves on the board of New Jersey Re-Entry Commission. Hayden has received numerous honors for his excellence in trial work., including the Lawrence A. Whipple Award for Professional Excellence from the ACDLNJ. Hayden received his B.A. from Boston College and his J.D. from Rutgers Law School-Newark.