The diverse bar associations of New Jersey, including the Asian Pacific American Lawyers Association of New Jersey (APALA-NJ), the Association of Black Women Lawyers of New Jersey (ABWL-NJ), the Garden State Bar Association (GSBA), the Haitian American Lawyers Association of New Jersey (HALA-NJ), the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey (HBA-NJ), the Korean American Bar Association of Greater New York (KALAGNY), the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association (NJWLA), the New Jersey Muslim Lawyers Association (NJMLA) and the South Asian Bar Association of New Jersey (SABA-NJ), are pleased to issue this Joint Statement supporting Governor Murphy’s nomination of Fabiana Pierre-Louis as Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the State of New Jersey.

A child of immigrants from Haiti who established roots in the State of New Jersey (as are many of the members of the signatory organizations), a graduate of Rutgers University and Rutgers Law School, a law clerk to former Justice John Wallace, a former Assistant United States Attorney, and a partner with the major law firm of Montgomery McCracken Walker and Rhoads, Ms. Pierre-Louis embodies the American Dream.  Equally important is her service to diverse organizations, including the Haitian American Lawyers Association of New Jersey (HALA-NJ), ABWL-NJ, and GSBA where she received the Young Lawyer Award.

To quote Joseph Makhandal Champagne, Esq., President of HALA-NJ:

In the midst of all the chaos around the world, it warms my heart to learn of the uplifting news highlighting Governor Murphy's nomination of our very own, Ms. Fabiana Pierre Louis to the New Jersey Supreme Court.  Once sworn in, she will become the first Haitian and black woman to preside on such a high and esteemed court. The celebration of this milestone will reverberate in the four walls of The State of New Jersey and Haiti. Special thanks to Ms. Fabiana Pierre-Louis for making the Haitian American Lawyers Association of New Jersey and our Haitian ancestors so proud. 

We express our appreciation to Governor Phil Murphy for his leadership and courage in nominating Ms. Pierre-Louis and his efforts to ensure that the Court reflects the diversity of this State as to race, ethnicity, and gender.  We look forward to Fabiana Pierre-Louis’ historic ascension to the Court, and pledge our full support.