Fellow Bar Association members, I urge you to support the nomination of Nancy Smith for 2nd Vice President of the NJSBA. I have known Nancy for over 25 years and, as many others will attest, she is one of the finest lawyers we have in this state, with a career of doing service to the bar, and to vindicating the rights of minorities, the disadvantaged, the victims of discrimination, and the poor. Nancy is not only a powerful advocate in the courtroom, whether trial or appellate, but her intellect, writing ability, and powers of analysis, have led to her association with a series of landmark cases in the field of employment law. For 30 years, Nancy has been active on the Executive Committee of the Labor and Employment Section of the NJSBA, and for two of those years, she served as the Section chair. More than 15 years ago, Nancy organized the Labor and Employment Section's annual toy and book drive, and today, she still takes joy in organizing this activity, which brings joy to many children who would otherwise have nothing at holiday time. Nancy has also served on the Judicial Administration Committee, was a founding member of the Individual Rights Section, has participated in countless seminars, has written prolifically, has taught at the Judicial College, and has moderated several programs for the Women in the Profession Section. Many women attorneys have sought the advice and counsel of Nancy, and see her as a role model for women in the profession of law. Nancy has also served full terms on the NJ Supreme Court District Ethics Committee and the Essex County Fee Arbitration Committee. Anyone familiar with the amount of work involved with serving on either of these committees knows that an extraordinary commitment of time and energy is required. In addition, Nancy has served as a trustee of the Essex County Bar Association, and served on its Judicial and Prosecutorial Appointments Committee for 13 years. From 1992 to 2000, Nancy sat on the Board of Trustees of the National Employment Lawyers Association, a national bar association of plaintiffs' employment lawyers. Nancy currently sits on the Board of Governors of the NJ Association for Justice, and she is now in her second term as a member of the New Jersey Legislature's Joint Commission on Legislative Ethics. In 2007, Nancy was awarded the "Rebecca Locketz Legal Award" by the NJ Lesbian and Gay Coalition for her "contributions as a leader in the community to ensure LGBTI rights". Nancy is also a founder of Wyona's House, a child advocacy center in Newark that has become a national model for the investigation, prosecution, treatment and prevention of child abuse in a child-centered environment. As an attorney, Nancy has won a long series of jury verdicts on behalf of victims of discrimination because of their race, age, sex, mental or physical handicap, pregnancy, and sexual orientation. Nancy has also successfully represented many whistleblowers who have suffered retaliation for speech in the public's interest. Nancy and her husband, Neil Mullin, an equally exemplary lawyer and person, worked pro bono for 13 years to obtain freedom for a man who had been wrongfully convicted and imprisoned. In 2011, "Smith Mullin", the law firm founded by Nancy and Neil, was named "Equality Company of the Year" for its "extraordinary commitment to equality". Through deeds and words, compassion and tireless work, intelligence and common sense, and perseverance and drive, Nancy has distinguished herself as one of the finest attorneys I have ever met, whether in New Jersey or in any other State. I strongly urge you to support the nomination of Nancy Smith for 2nd Vice President of the NJSBA. I have no doubt that she will serve with integrity, determination, dedication, intelligence, and the wealth of additional outstanding qualities that combine to make this one person, Nancy Smith, someone who makes us all proud to be companions with in this State's largest bar organization. Please contact me at [email protected] if you would like to join the hundreds who have already signed Nancy's nomination petition, or if you have any questions about her candidacy. Thank you for your support of Nancy. I can assure you she is grateful for it. Alan L. Zegas
email:
[email protected] ------------------------------------------- Alan Zegas Esq. Chatham NJ (973)701-7080 ------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
Alan Zegas Esq.
Chatham NJ
(973)701-7080
-------------------------------------------