Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C. and Its Attorneys Named Winners in Six Categories in the New Jersey Law Journal’s 2026 New Jersey Legal Awards
Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C. and Its Attorneys Named Winners in Six Categories in the New Jersey Law Journal’s 2026 New Jersey Legal Awards
Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C. is proud to announce that the firm and its attorneys were named winners in six categories in the New Jersey Law Journal’s 2026 New Jersey Legal Awards. The honorees were recognized at the New Jersey Legal Awards ceremony on October 29, 2026.
2026 Award Winners
- Litigation Department of the Year – Appellate | The New Jersey Law Journal named Pashman Stein the winner of its 2026 “Litigation Department of the Year – Appellate” award, marking the eighth time the firm has won the award in the past nine years (no firm received the award in 2023 when Pashman Stein was named Law Firm of the Year). This recognition reflects the work of the firm’s Appellate Advocacy practice group on commercial cases and on pro bono and public interest matters through the Justice Gary S. Stein Public Interest Center.
- Attorney of the Year: CJ Griffin | Partner and Justice Gary S. Stein Public Interest Center Director CJ Griffin was named 2026 Attorney of the Year.
- Talent Management Initiative | Pashman Stein was named the winner of the Talent Management Initiative award for its initiatives to build a workplace culture that prioritizes well-being, meaningful work, and professional development, including most recently, the firm’s sabbatical program, which offers full-time employees, attorneys, and support staff alike the opportunity to take a fully paid, six-week sabbatical every five years, with full benefits and billable-hour credits.
- Outstanding Officiators: Hon. Ellen L. Koblitz, P.J.A.D. (Ret.) | Judge Koblitz received the inaugural Outstanding Officiator Award, marking the first time the honor has been presented.
- Unsung Hero Award: Dominique Kilmartin | Dominique Kilmartin, Counsel in the firm’s Litigation practice, was recognized as one of the New Jersey Law Journal’s 2026 Unsung Heroes.
- New Leaders of the Bar – Bankruptcy: Katherine Beilin | Associate Katherine Beilin was selected for inclusion in the New Jersey Law Journal’s 2026 list of New Leaders of the Bar in Bankruptcy.
“To be recognized across so many categories by the New Jersey Law Journal is an incredible honor for our firm,” said Michael S. Stein, firm chair and managing partner. “We're incredibly proud to have been named Appellate Litigation Department of the Year for nine years running. But what makes me even prouder is seeing so many of our lawyers and colleagues recognized individually. From CJ being named Attorney of the Year and Judge Koblitz winning Outstanding Officiator, to Dominique and Katie being honored, and our groundbreaking Sabbatical program being recognized through the Talent Management Initiative award, these awards reinforce something we've believed from the beginning: when you invest in your people, great things follow for the firm, our clients, and the communities we serve."
The New Jersey Legal Awards are published by the New Jersey Law Journal. A description of the selection methodology can be found here.
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