Top honors from the New Jersey Commission on Professionalism in the Law will go to a human rights attorney, an advocate for people living in poverty and an attorney who fights for the legal rights of workers and victims of negligence.
The commission’s most prestigious honor individuals who uphold the profession’s highest ideals and who have accomplished significant career achievements. Raymond M. Brown, a partner at Pashman Stein Walder Hayden, will receive the Daniel J. O’Hern Award. Felipe Chavana, executive director of Essex-Newark Legal Services, will be recognized with the Charles J. Hollenbeck Award. The Lighthouse Award will be given to Gerald H. Baker, counsel at Javerbaum Wurgaft Hicks Kahn Wikstrom & Sinins.
The annual awards will be presented during a luncheon at the Forsgate Country Club in Monroe on July 19. Dozens of attorneys in bar associations across the state will also be honored with Professional Lawyer of the Year Awards, given to those who are respected by colleagues for their character, competence and exemplary professional behavior.
Here are the top honorees:
O’Hern Award
The O’Hern Award is presented to an attorney who exhibits integrity, competence, high ethical standards, career achievement and service to the bar and community.
Brown, a criminal defense lawyer, civil rights advocate and ardent voice for the cause of justice, is an internationally recognized litigator with more than 50 years of experience. His practice is focused on white-collar criminal defense, international human rights compliance, internal investigations and complex commercial litigation. He has significant international experience, and has represented victims in the Darfur genocide before the International Criminal Court in The Hague.
“Even after decades of dedicated, impassioned and tireless advocacy, Mr. Brown continues to challenge the status quo at all levels, in neighborhoods here at home, across the country and around the world,” Eileen O'Connor, immediate past president of the Essex County Bar Association, said in her nomination.
Hollenbeck Award
The Hollenbeck Award is presented to an attorney who is employed by a governmental agency or nonprofit organization that serves the needs of the legal community and has served with diligence, competence and dedication to the profession.
Chavana dedicates his legal services to protecting the interests of the underserved and most vulnerable members of our society. Since 1989, he has served as executive director for Essex-Newark Legal Services since 1989, ensuring the quality and availability of legal representation to Essex County’s low-income residents. Under Chavana’s 33 years of stewardship, he has created and led several special projects to address domestic violence, elder law, health care, homelessness and veteran assistance.
“For over 45 years, attorney Chavana diligently, competently and passionately dedicated himself to seeking justice,” O’Connor said.
Lighthouse Award
The Lighthouse Award honors an attorney or judge whose professional community-based efforts serve as an inspiration to colleagues.
Baker, a former NJSBA trustee, has been involved in numerous groundbreaking cases and high-profile claims, including representing the families of TWA Flight 800, Korean Airlines Flight 007 and Egyptair Flight 990. In 2002, he obtained a verdict of $53 million against Conrail in a wrongful death case, the largest death verdict in New Jersey and one of the largest in the country. He is one of New Jersey’s foremost experts on automobile insurance and has argued numerous NJSBA amicus curiae cases.
“In all respects, Gerald H. Baker demonstrates passion for his profession’s abiding virtue—to positively affect and influence social justice and social change,” James P. Lynch, president of the New Jersey Association for Justice, said.
Visit njsba.com to register for the luncheon and view a full list of the award recipients.