The New Jersey Women Lawyers Association (NJWLA) held its 13th Women’s Initiative and Leaders in the Law (WILL) Platinum Gala on March 23, 2021 virtually from The Grove in Cedar Grove, NJ.
The Gala included NJWLA’s signature videos celebrating seven extraordinary Honorees for their outstanding achievements in the legal profession.
 Honorable Claire C. Cecchi U.S. District Judge for the District of NJ Federal Judicial Sector Honoree |  Honorable Mary Catherine Cuff New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division (Ret.) State Judicial Sector Honoree |
This year’s WILL award recipients were The Honorable Claire C. Cecchi, United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey; the Honorable Mary Catherine Cuff, New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division (Retired);
Jessica S. Allen, formerly of The Killian Firm, P.C., recently sworn in as a United States Magistrate Judge for the District of New Jersey and Past President of NJWLA; Ann B. Gavzy and Audrey Murphy, both Executive Vice Presidents and Chief Legal Officers with Hackensack Meridian Health and The Honorable Tahesha Way, Secretary of State of the State of New Jersey. This year’s Trailblazer Award was given to Carmen M. Garcia, Former Chief Judge, Trenton Municipal Court. The Honorable Madeline Cox Arleo, United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey, served as the Mistress of Ceremonies.
 Honorable Jessica S. Allen Formerly of The Killian Firm, P.C. Private Sector Honoree |  Honorable Tahesha Way Secretary of State, State of NJ Public Sector Honoree |
NJWLA’s 2021 Gala Chairs, Michele Haas and Jessica Carroll, shared opening remarks and welcomed everyone to the long awaited Gala. The Honoree videos had been filmed in preparation for the 2020 Gala. Thank you to Paul Sanderson of Our Town Films, NJWLA’s Gala Video Chairs, Abigail Remore and Sheea Sybblis and 2019-2020 Gala Co Chair, Carole Lynn Nowicki, for their time and efforts in preparing the videos.
 Ann B. Gavzy Hackensack Meridian Health Corporate Sector Honoree |  Audrey Murphy Hackensack Meridian Health Corporate Sector Honoree |
NJWLA’s President, Jemi G. Lucey, and Immediate Past President, Linda G. Harvey, provided remarks and expressed NJWLA’s gratitude for the support of the entire New Jersey legal community and especially those who joined the Gala virtually. President Lucey and Immediate Past President Harvey recalled the past year of virtual events and noted that the support of the generous sponsors and members are the key to allowing NJWLA to further its mission of advancing and retaining women in the law. President Lucey also presented the Kirsten Scheurer Branigan Presidential Leadership Award to Immediate Past President Harvey for her leadership and service to NJWLA.
The NJWLA continued its scholarship program and awarded $15,000 in scholarships to three law students: Erin Stidham of Rutgers Law School – Newark; Tina Taboada of Rutgers Law School – Camden; and Hannah Teller of Seton Hall University School of Law. NJWLA’s President Elect, Dina M. Mastellone, closed out the event after presenting the 2021 Kirsten Scheurer Branigan Presidential Leadership Award to President Lucey for her exemplary dedication in leading the organization over the past year.
Carmen M. GarciaFormer Chief Judge
Trenton Municipal Court
Trailblazer Honoree
See a full list of our 2020/2021 Gala Sponsors.
Download the 2021 NJWLA WILL Platinum Gala Journal with special sponsor ads, more information on our Honorees and our scholarship winners’ essays!
NJWLA expresses its sincere appreciation to our loyal and patient sponsors, members and vendors who helped make this event a success!