TRENTON – April 11, 2024 – The New Jersey Office of the Public Defender (NJOPD) today announced Cristina LiBassi has joined as Director of Communications, effective April 8, 2024. LiBassi brings significant experience developing and executing comprehensive internal and external communications strategies for leading professional services and law firms across the nation. Based in NJOPD’s Trenton headquarters, she will report to Public Defender Jennifer Sellitti and serve as a member of the management team.

“Here at NJOPD, we understand the essential role public engagement plays in raising awareness of legal rights, advocating for systemic change and fostering trust within the communities in which we serve,” said Public Defender Sellitti. “Cristina’s arrival highlights our commitment to these efforts, and we’re thrilled to tap into her extensive communications, PR and social media experience as we continue to work toward equitable outcomes for all New Jersey residents in the legal system.”

At NJOPD, LiBassi will blend traditional public relations efforts with new media initiatives to create and promote content that lifts up the impactful work NJOPD conducts on behalf of the people it serves as well as in support of policy advancements. She will serve as the point of contact for media inquiries, acting as an organizational spokesperson and coordinating with NJOPD subject matter experts to effectively communicate important developments to the general public. Additionally, she will spearhead the office’s social media strategy to build on its robust promotional efforts that effectively reach and resonate with its various networks.  

“I have long admired NJOPD’s innovative approach to providing quality legal representation to New Jerseyans charged with indictable offenses, ensuring the constitutional guarantees of counsel in criminal cases is achieved,” said LiBassi. “I look forward to partnering with Jennifer and the many talented lawyers at NJOPD to further amplify the goals and successes of the office and add to its culture of transparency and community engagement.”

LiBassi comes to NJOPD from a national professional services firm, where she created multi-faceted internal and external communications strategies, defined goals, tailored messaging, and managed media relations for both digital platforms and earned media. She additionally has PR agency experience creating external communications plans for boutique and global law firms.

LiBassi received her B.B.A. in business economics and public policy, with a minor in psychology, from The George Washington University.

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