Lawyers to be honored Thursday at New Jersey Professionalism in the Law ceremony; Chief Justice Rabner to deliver keynote

 

NEW BRUNSWICK – An eminent professional who treated all with kindness and was generous with his expertise will receive the top professionalism award in the state’s legal community.

 

Arthur Miller will on Wednesday (Jan. 16) posthumously receive the 2012 Daniel J. O’Hern Award from the New Jersey Commission on Professionalism in the Law. The award is presented annually to a senior member of the bar in recognition of commitment to the highest ideals of the profession, career achievement, and service to the bar and community.

 

Miller’s family will receive the award at the Professionalism Awards Luncheon, to be held at the Pines Manor in Edison. Chief Justice Stuart Rabner is expected to deliver they keynote address.

 

A native of Plainfield, Miller’s career was marked by zealous advocacy and a willingness to teach colleagues, lead seminars and training sessions, lecture at Princeton University, and simplify legal issues for the public through informational videos.

 

“He was the kind of guy you wanted to emulate,’’ said Dennis Estis, a partner at Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis LLP.  

 

Arthur Miller worked in New York City after graduating from Columbia Law School. In 1969, the father of two started his own practice in New Brunswick.

 

Miller was the first person tapped to fill the senior lawyer’s seat when the New Jersey State Bar Association expanded its trustee board for greater diversity. He was involved with the Central Jersey Legal Services Corporation and its predecessor, the Middlesex County Legal Services Corporation, for four decades, serving on the board of directors until his death in May. He was also active in the Middlesex County Bar Association, and it’s foundation.

 

Specializing in bankruptcy law, Miller handled numerous foreclosure actions. “He was very concerned about the poor, minorities, injustice. He did a lot to keep people in their homes,’’ said his wife, Lynn Miller, who will accept the award on his behalf.

 

In addition to Miller, a host of other attorney will be honored for their service at the gathering. County and specialty bar associations from around the state will also recognize attorneys who have made a difference in the profession. Former New Jersey State Bar Association Presidents Richard H. Steen and Lynn Fontaine Newsome are among the award recipients.

 

PROFESSIONAL LAWYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS 2012

 

Atlantic County Bar Association Donna M. Taylor

 

Bergen County Bar Association Lorraine A. Abraham

 

Burlington County Bar Association Louis A. Smith

 

Camden County Bar Association Robert N. Agre

 

Cape May County Bar Association James R. Birchmeier

 

Cumberland County Bar Association Bonnie L. Laube

 

Essex County Bar Association Hon. Thomas P. Zampino (ret.)

 

Gloucester County Bar Association Gary D. Thompson

 

Hudson County Bar Association Frank E. Catalina

 

Hunterdon County Bar Association Robert A. Ballard Jr.

 

Mercer County Bar Association Robert E. Lytle

 

Middlesex County Bar Association Dennis A. Auciello

Monmouth Bar Association H. Frank Carpentier

Morris County Bar Association Lynn Fontaine Newsome

 

Ocean County Bar Association Alan J. Cornblatt

 

Passaic County Bar Association Linda H. Samson

 

Salem County Bar Association Bruce H. Sherman

 

Somerset County Bar Association John P. McDonald

 

Sussex County Bar Association Daniel A. Colfax

 

Union County Bar Association Paul J. Endler, Jr.

 

Warren County Bar Association Hon. Harry A. Seybolt (ret.)

 

Asian Pacific American Lawyers Association Linda Wong

 

Association of Black Women Lawyers El-Rhonda Williams Alston

 

Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers Leslie Stolbof Sinemus

 

Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey Joseph P. LaSala

 

Garden State Bar Association Dara A. Govan

 

Hispanic Bar Association Suzette T. Rodriguez

 

New Jersey Corporate Counsel Association Zenola Harper

 

New Jersey State Bar Association Richard H. Steen

 

New Jersey Women Lawyers Association Suzanne M. Cerra

 

Trial Attorneys of New Jersey Scott A. Parsons