CJ Griffin to Receive Distinguished Alumni Award from Rutgers Law School–Newark
Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C. is proud to announce that CJ Griffin, partner and director of the firm’s Justice Gary S. Stein Public Interest Center, has been selected to receive the Distinguished Alumni Award from Rutgers Law School–Newark Alumni Association. The award will be presented at the Alumni Association’s Gala on Tuesday, October 28, 2025, at the Maplewood Country Club.
The Distinguished Alumni Award recognizes alumni who exemplify the values of Rutgers Law School through exceptional contributions to the legal profession and the community. Griffin, a 2009 graduate of Rutgers Law, has built a distinguished career advocating for government transparency, civil liberties, and constitutional rights.
“We are thrilled that Rutgers Law School is honoring CJ with this well-deserved recognition,” said Michael S. Stein, the firm’s managing partner. “CJ’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and access to justice reflects the highest ideals of our profession and the values we hold as a firm. CJ’s work has not only changed the law but has also strengthened democracy and advanced civil rights in New Jersey.”
As the founding director of the Stein Public Interest Center since 2019, Griffin has led the firm’s pro bono and public interest efforts, handling cases of broad significance in state and federal courts. Griffin has appeared frequently before the New Jersey Supreme Court, where her advocacy has shaped the law on government transparency and public access. Notably, Griffin secured a landmark victory in Rivera v. Union County Prosecutor’s Office (2022), which for the first time made police internal affairs reports publicly accessible in New Jersey.
Griffin’s leadership and commitment have been recognized through numerous honors, including the “Making Democracy Work” Award from the League of Women Voters of New Jersey, the Lawrence A. Whipple Memorial Award from the Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey, and the Transparency Award from the New Jersey Foundation for Open Government.
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