The Debevoise-Eakeley Award

Andrew R. Wolf

In private practice at Galex Wolf LLC, Andrew Wolf is devoted to victims of consumer fraud and other aspects of consumer law, with special emphasis on class action cases. Mr. Wolf has represented clients in numerous consumer class action cases involving violations of New Jersey and federal consumer protection statutes, including the Consumer Fraud Act, Truth-in-Consumer Contract Warranty and Notice Act, the Consumer Protection Leasing Act, the federal Truth-in-lending Act and the federal Fair Debt Collection Practices Act. Mr. Wolf has particular expertise in the area of alternative dispute resolution, as both a mediator and arbitrator. He is certified as a Mediator by the State of New Jersey, Department of Law and Public Safety and the State of New Jersey Judiciary. Mr. Wolf graduated from Rutgers University School of Law – Newark. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree from Queen’s College. Mr. Wolf is recognized for his unparalleled support for Legal Services, most notably through securing many hundreds of thousands of dollars in cy pres awards for Legal Services of New Jersey, thereby helping support our critical work during extraordinarily difficult financial times.

The Lipman-Franks Award

The Honorable Louis D. Greenwald

Assemblyman Lou Greenwald has represented New Jersey’s 6th Legislative District since 1996. He currently serves as the Chairman of the Assembly Budget Committee and as a member of the Assembly Appropriations and Judiciary Committees. A leader in protecting children, he was instrumental in creating the Amber Alert system to help save abducted children in New Jersey. He continues to fight to expand New Jersey’s FamilyCare health care program, which covers uninsured children and families, to ensure that every child in New Jersey receives the medical care they need to remain healthy and safe. Assemblyman Greenwald has also been recognized as a leading advocate for the developmentally disabled, preserving funding and pushing for better care. A graduate of Moravian College and Seton Hall University School of Law, Assemblyman Greenwald currently works as an attorney in Voorhees. This award is in recognition of his extraordinary efforts to articulate and address the need for civil legal assistance and Legal Services funding, and to increase public awareness of the human lives and critical consequences at stake in the struggle for equal justice.

The Lipman-Franks Award

The Honorable Kevin J. O’Toole

Mr. O’Toole was elected to the General Assembly in 1995, 1997, 1999 and 2001 and served in the State Senate from May 2001 to January 2002. He was re-elected to the Senate for a full term on November 6, 2007. Serving local government, Mr. O’Toole was on the Cedar Grove Town Council from 1989 to 1996 and elected as Mayor in 1990, 1993 and 1995. He earned his bachelor’s degree and his J.D. from Seton Hall University. During his legislative career, Senator O’Toole has sponsored laws to reform welfare and healthcare, strengthen our state’s domestic violence statutes, establish the New Jersey Better Educational Savings Trust, and continue funding of full-day kindergarten programs in the Abbott school districts. This award is presented in recognition of Senator O’Toole’s long and continuing support as a state legislator for the work of Legal Services in New Jersey and for equal justice under law for New Jersey’s disadvantaged.

The Richard J. Hughes Career Public Service Award

Jennifer Velez

Ms. Velez was confirmed as Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Human Services (DHS) in June 2007. Prior to her service at the DHS, Ms. Velez was at the Office of the Child Advocate, where she was named the Office’s first Assistant Child Advocate when it was created in September 2003. Ms. Velez has also served Governor James E. McGreevey, Acting Governor Donald DiFrancesco and Governor Christine Todd Whitman as Senior Associate Counsel and Assembly Liaison in the Office of Governor’s Counsel. Before entering public service, Commissioner Velez was in private practice at the law firm of Pitney, Hardin, Kipp & Szuch (now Day Pitney) in Florham Park, New Jersey. She received her law degree from Rutgers University School of Law- Newark, and her undergraduate degree in Economics from Drew University. We honor, Ms. Velez with the Richard J. Hughes Career Public Service Award in recognition of her extraordinary efforts to secure greater assistance, protection and justice for New Jersey’s disadvantaged, in every one of her government positions. Her efforts to save the General Assistance safety net this year had particular impact.

The William J. Brennan, Jr. Citation for Justice

The Honorable John E. Wallace, Jr.

Justice Wallace served on the New Jersey Supreme Court as an Associate Justice from 2003 until this year. Prior to his time on the Supreme Court, Justice Wallace was a New Jersey Superior Court Judge, sitting in the Appellate Division. Appointed to the Superior Court in 1984, he was promoted to the Appellate Division in 1992. As a trial judge, Justice Wallace sat in Criminal and Civil Divisions, as well as the Family Part, in the Gloucester County vicinage. Justice Wallace has also been a partner in the law firm of Atkinson, Myers, Archie & Wallace; the Municipal Judge for Washington Township in Gloucester County; an Associate at the Philadelphia law firm of Montgomery, McCracken, Walker & Rhodes; and an attorney for the Trustees of the Penn Central Transportation Co. Justice Wallace is a graduate of the University of Delaware and Harvard Law School. He served in the United States Army from 1968 to 1970, attaining the rank of Captain. Justice Wallace has coached Little League Baseball since 1970, and since 1991 has volunteered on the football coaching staff at Washington Township High School. He is honored tonight in recognition of his tenure on the New Jersey Supreme Court, where he served with great wisdom, intelligence, dignity, grace, and compassion, always with a keen eye to balancing the scales of justice, especially in cases involving the disadvantaged.

Equal Justice Medals-Individual Attorneys in Private Practice or Corporate Legal Departments

Central Jersey Legal Services

Thomas E. Downs, IV

Beginning in 1982, Mr. Downs was one of the first 17 attorneys to participate in the Volunteer Attorney Program at Central Jersey Legal Services and he continues to play an important role in its success. Over the years, he has accepted many divorce and other family law cases, and has never refused a case because it involved complicated issues. Mr. Downs is a graduate of St. Peter’s University and Seton Hall Law School.

Edward S. Kahn

A dependable, long-term volunteer for Central Jersey Legal Services, Mr. Kahn’s small firm has accepted pro bono cases since 1988. Most recently, he has become a steady presence at CJLS, coming in at least once a month to personally assist elderly clients, for whom he conducts initial interviews and provides advice. Mr. Kahn holds a B.A. degree from Amherst College and a J.D. from Rutgers University School of Law.

Casey Woodruff

New to the Volunteer Attorney Program at Central Jersey Legal Services, Mr. Woodruff has been invaluable. In one year, he accepted referral of four expungement cases. Among the clients he has helped are a long-time legal resident who was seeking to clear his record in order to apply for citizenship, and a mother of two, who, despite training as a nurse, has to get by on two part-time jobs due to a youthful shoplifting conviction. A graduate of Duke University and Rutgers University School of Law, Mr. Woodruff is a partner at Bramnick, Rodriguez, Mitterhoff, Grabas & Woodruff.

Essex-Newark Legal Services

Jennifer Asare

A pro bono participant since 2008, Ms. Asare is being honored for the in-depth interest she takes in her clients and their cases. Most recently, she represented a Ghanaian client with limited English proficiency in a divorce, obtaining full custody and a favorable child support order achieving success in a contentious and emotionally difficult situation. Ms. Asare, currently a solo practitioner in Pine Brook, earned her J.D. from New York Law School.

Legal Services of Northwest New Jersey

Daniel J. Lane

Mr. Lane has been a very active participant in the LSNWJ Volunteer Lawyer Program, representing clients in family law issues. He is a graduate of Muhlenberg College and Roger Williams Law School, where he was honored for his commitment to public service. Mr. Lane is currently in practice with his father, Steven R. Lane, in the recently formed firm of Lane & Lane, LLC.

John P. McDonald

Mr. McDonald has been a pro bono program participant since 1997. He has taken on family and housing matters as well as a number of complicated tort defense clients, one case finally closing after 18 months of litigation. Mr. McDonald handles his pro bono clients with the same dedication and tenacity as he employs for all his clients. A partner at McDonald & Rogers, Somerville, he earned both his undergraduate and law degrees at Seton Hall University.

Northeast New Jersey Legal Services

Victor G. Sison

Mr. Sison has provided pro bono service to Legal Services in Hudson County for more than 16 years. His continuing commitment and vast knowledge of family law greatly contribute to his tireless effort in championing for the legal needs of our clients. Mr. Sison is a graduate of Rutgers University School of Law- Newark, as well as Angelicum Pontifical University and Gregorian Pontifical University, both in Rome, Italy.

Kevin Hanly

Mr. Hanly recognizes the economic and emotional stress our clients face day to day. His passion to support of our mission and serve our clients has been evidenced in his pro bono service to Northeast New Jersey Legal Services since 2001. Mr. Hanly is a graduate of Dartmouth College and New York University Law School.

Dionne Wade (without client story)

Ms. Wade an active volunteer in the Pro Bono Program since 2005, has devoted her time, expertise and advice to many Northeast New Jersey Legal Services clients regarding security deposit issues. She has been an active participant in NNJLS’s Security Deposit Clinics, as well as assisting clients individually, particularly in bankruptcy matters. Ms. Wade holds a B.A. from Fisk University, and a J.D. from Ohio Northern University.

South Jersey Legal Services

Lee M. Perlman

A graduate of American University and Thomas M. Cooley Law School, Mr. Perlman has been a staunch supporter of the Private Attorney Involvement Program at South Jersey Legal Services since 1995. It is not unusual for him to accept multiple cases in any given year and this year is no exception, as Mr. Perlman is currently assisting three of the most needy bankruptcy clients. Mr. Perlman, currently practicing in Cherry Hill, college campuses, and has appeared on the CBS radio program Legal Perspectives.

Lois S. Fried, CPA

As a pro bono program participant for several decades, Ms. Fried, always generous with her time, has frequently assisted on difficult cases. Her expertise in Qualified Domestic Relations Orders has resulted in favorable decisions for clients, who have been the more vulnerable parties in their divorce cases. Ms. Fried graduated with a B.S. from Brandeis University and completed her accounting education at Richard Stockton College of New Jersey.

Legal Services of New Jersey

Kenneth F. Coughlin

Lloyd Sarakin

Mr. Coughlin and Mr. Sarakin were instrumental in establishing the SONY Volunteer Legal Services Project. This program, established in 2008, gives attorneys the opportunity to help LSNJ Hotline clients by giving legal advice over the phone. It represents the first time pro bono attorneys have dedicated their time to providing telephone advice outside of LSNJ offices.

Prior to his retirement last year, Ken Coughlin practiced as an in-house lawyer for several multinational companies, most recently as Senior Vice President, Law for Sony Electronics Inc. Mr. Coughlin has also been active in other pro bono activities, including establishing and running Sony Electronics Law Department’s award-winning pro bono program and working on client matters for Legal Services of New Jersey, the Pro Bono Partnership and the former Bergen County Legal Services. He received a B.A. degree from the University of Massachusetts-Amherst and his J.D. from Columbia University School of Law.

Mr. Sarakin, is currently Vice President and Associate General Counsel at Sony Electronics Inc., with national responsibility for credit, financial and bankruptcy matters. In addition to doing pro bono work for Legal Services of New Jersey, Mr. Sarakin has been involved with The Pro Bono Partnership Organization, a group of Volunteer attorneys serving local not-for-profits. Mr. Sarakin holds a B.A. degree from Leigh University, and a J.D. from the University of Miami.

Michael Treanor

A graduate of the College of Holy Cross and Fordham University Law School, Mr. Treanor is honored for his significant contributions to the work of LSNJ’s Anti-Predatory Lending Project, helping to defend homeowners seeking redress for aggressive and illegal lending practices. An early responder to the call for help in the midst of the foreclosure crisis, he has contributed substantial legal assistance to staff in a case which resulted in a significant summary judgment victory. Mr. Treanor also recently concluded his representation of a Sussex County resident with a settlement for the client.

Mark J. Malone

James F. Villere, Jr.

Mr. Villere and Mr. Malone were two of the first attorneys to respond to LSNJ’s call for pro bono attorneys to represent low-income homeowners in foreclosure cases. Neither had prior experience in foreclosure defense or predatory lending, but both recognized that fraud was a significant component of predatory lending and they brought years of prosecutorial and internal corporate investigative and litigation experience to their pro bono commitment. They have accepted and prevailed in complex cases, including dismissal of a foreclosure complaint after conducting an investigation that revealed that the foreclosing plaintiff trust never contained the homeowner’s loan and that they were a complete stranger to the transaction. In that same case they also discovered that the loan documents had been altered after the closing. Mr. Villere and Mr. Malone are currently litigating a complex case on which they have spent countless hours and have contributed to the national dialogue concerning the filing of false certifications in connection with mortgage foreclosure cases. Mr. Villere received his BA from St. John’s College and his J.D. from Seton Hall University. Mr. Malone attended Rutgers University for his undergraduate and law degree. Although their careers went in different directions, Jim Villere and Mark Malone started out as law partners, and it is our pleasure to honor them together, again, for the generous and invaluable contributions they have made to our clients.

Equal Justice Medals-Law Firms

South Jersey Legal Services

Rothenberg, Hyett, Eisen and Lang

Located in Atlantic City, Rothenberg, Hyett, Eisen and Lang have been assisting South Jersey clients since the early 1990’s. The firm has helped with the programs most difficult wills and estates issues and has provided the assistance with care and kindness.

Equal Justice Medals- In-House Volunteers

Legal Services of New Jersey

Laura Babbin

Ms. Babbin was one of the first in-house volunteers for LSNJ’s Tax Legal Assistance Project. While maintaining a full-time job, Ms. Babbin finds time to dedicate 10-15 hours each month to assist low-income tax payers with state and federal tax matters, research tax issues as well as spent countless hours following up the IRS on a taxpayer's case. Ms. Babbin is currently Director of Registration and Records at Monmouth University. She holds a B.A. from Drew University, an MBA from Monmouth University and a J.D. from Concord University.

Joseph F. DiPrima

Mr. DiPrima has a long history of dedicated pro bono service. He first became associated with Legal Services in 1994, when he volunteered with Merck’s Corporate Pro Bono Program, providing assistance in guardianship and bankruptcy matters. After retiring from Merck, where he served as Vice President and Assistant General Counsel – Patents, Mr. DiPrima has provided pro bono representation to low-income clients of LSNJ’s Tax Legal Assistance Project. Mr. DiPrima is a graduate of the University of Rochester and Fordham University School of Law.

Allan Goldberg

Mr. Goldberg joined LSNJ’s Tax Legal Assistance Project (TLAP) in 2008. Since then he has contributed over 300 pro bono hours, working in partnership with tax attorneys to assist low-income taxpayers resolve their federal and New Jersey tax matters. As an accountant for thirty-one years with the Internal Revenue Service, Mr. Goldberg prepares returns to support TLAP’s work and provides expert advice and guidance to our attorneys. He has a private tax practice in New York state, and serves as a VITA volunteer and training instructor. We are grateful for his knowledge and continued dedication to the project. Mr. Goldberg holds a BBA from City College of New York and received a MPA from Baruch College, New York.

Lynne O’Carroll

Ms. O’Carroll, a retired attorney with years of family law, criminal and civil litigation experience, responded to the mortgage crisis by becoming an in-house volunteer for LSNJ’s Anti-Predatory Lending Project. She was moved to help people threatened by displacement as a result of the mortgage crisis and left her comfort zone to learn a new area of law. Ms. O’Carroll has made a substantial and regular commitment, assisting more than 100 clients. We recognize Ms. O’Carroll for her courage in mastering a new subject area and her compassion in her advice and counsel to people in the midst of foreclosure. Ms. O’Carroll holds a B.A., MSW and J.D., all from Rutgers University.