It was the initial days of the COVID-19 pandemic, the greatest public health crisis the country has faced in more than a century, and working from home like the rest of the state’s lawyers, New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA) President Evelyn Padin looked straight into the web camera from her living room, and with characteristic pluck and resolve, rallied the state’s legal community in a video message for the Association’s website.
While in times of crisis true leadership qualities emerge, during this historic crisis Padin demonstrated the same grit, determination and heart she has demonstrated throughout her presidency. During her one-year term, she has been an ardent and vociferous advocate for New Jersey’s attorneys.
“During this pandemic, my number one priority has been advocating for our members with the court as we all transition the way we practice law,” Padin said.
“We have supported New Jersey lawyers—whether they were bar members or not—by keeping them connected and teaching them how to practice law remotely thorough the Association’s remote webinars. I am particularly proud of the advocacy work we are doing to keep New Jersey’s lawyers working, getting them access to the courts and maintaining the public’s access to justice.”
Under Padin’s leadership, the Association testified on several bills that were passed into law, including one that allows attorneys to remotely notarize documents, wills and codicils during the state of emergency and public health emergency. Other laws include preventing a criminal defendant from asserting the “gay and transgender panic” defense to a murder charge; expanding driver’s license eligibility to individuals who are here legally, but unable to prove lawful residence in the United States; and removing the prohibition on voting by persons on probation or parole.
Under Padin’s leadership, the state Supreme Court agreed with the Association’s amicus arguments in a number of cases. In Meisels v. Fox Rothschild, the NJSBA argued that an attorney cannot be found to have breached a fiduciary duty if they are not aware of any third-party claims on funds being held in a trust account on behalf of a client.
In Barbara Orientale v. Darrin L. Jennings, the Court held the Association’s amicus position that the use of remittitur and additur should be based on the mutual consent of the parties “to give the competing parties the greatest incentive to reach agreement.” And in Lisa Balducci v. Brian M. Cige, the Court created a committee to examine some of the concerns the Association raised.
Throughout her term, Padin kept the Association’s mission to serve and protect New Jersey’s legal profession front and center in everything she did. That meant successfully fighting for New Jersey attorneys on a national level at the American Bar Association to work towards preventing non-lawyers from providing legal services.
She wholeheartedly embraced the Association’s mission to encourage participation in voluntary pro bono activities and promoting access to the justice system. Spirited and down-to-earth, Padin rolled up her sleeves and led volunteer activities such as painting an assisted living facility during the Mid-Year Meeting in San Juan. The Association raised over $30,000 in monetary aid and equipment donations that was divided among four charities in Puerto Rico.
She inspired dozens of attorneys to volunteer during Law Days, and as the Association’s first Latina president, Padin addressed hundreds of residents in Spanish at a Law Day held at Union City High School. Later, she sat at a table offering guidance.
Despite her NJSBA responsibilities, she continued her annual tradition of cooking a Thanksgiving meal for the needy to dine on at her restaurant. And, she inspired the legal community to donate a record $21,000 to the Association’s Lawyers Feeding New Jersey campaign and its partner, Community FoodBank of New Jersey.
“We are facing uncertain times, many people are unemployed and are facing food insecurity. New Jersey lawyers have stepped up to the plate and supported our food bank initiative, particularly when they heard that one in five school children suffer from food insecurity,” she said.
Padin continues to address need, especially during these difficult times.
“There is much work to be done, as we are seeing a burgeoning mental health and financial crisis, and some of our members are facing unemployment. We, as the State Bar Association, need to reach out and support all New Jersey residents as they face these challenges,” she said. “I am confident we are more than up to that task, because we truly believe that we are stronger, together.”