Overview
About the Stein Public Interest Center
Established in 2019, the Justice Gary S. Stein Public Interest Center at Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C. (Stein Public Interest Center) is dedicated to a broad range of public interest impact litigation and appellate advocacy that defends democracy, the rule of law, and the freedom of speech; advances social, racial, and economic justice; protects civil liberties and constitutional rights; and promotes an open and transparent government.
The Stein Public Interest Center is named after retired New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Gary S. Stein in recognition of his distinguished career of dedicated public service and contributions to the legal profession. During his remarkable 17-year tenure on the New Jersey Supreme Court, Justice Stein helped shape the law for generations to come. In honor of his legacy, the Stein Public Interest Center is dedicated to advocating for the rights and liberties of all individuals and promoting the rule of law.
The establishment of the Stein Public Interest Center reflects the firm’s long-standing commitment to lean in and to leave an imprint on the public issues of our time. Throughout the firm’s history, attorneys at Pashman Stein have participated in this region’s most significant public interest lawsuits and landmark appellate court cases, remaining at the forefront of issues such as government transparency, free speech, voting rights, criminal justice, and the integration of the state’s public schools.
Under the leadership of director CJ Griffin, the Center partners with local, regional, and national organizations to promote and advance justice. Since the Center’s launch in 2019, Pashman Stein attorneys have participated in more than 100 cases that have resulted in published opinions by the New Jersey Appellate Division and New Jersey Supreme Court. These cases involved public access to police internal affairs reports, violations of Miranda warnings, the rights of medical cannabis users to receive workplace accommodations and to have their medication covered by workers’ compensation programs, the standards to obtain a sexual assault protection order, and racial discrimination in the jury selection process.
Pashman Stein received the 2020 Pro Bono Law Firm Award from the New Jersey State Bar Association. The firm has also received the New Jersey Law Journal’s Law Firm of the Year Award in 2023, as well as its Appellate Department of the Year award for six of the past seven years (2018 through 2024, with no firm receiving the award in 2023)*, in part because of the significant public interest appellate work performed through the Center.
Our firm is proud of the results it has achieved for clients, some of which are noted here. Of course, each legal matter is unique on many levels, and past successes are not a guarantee of results in any other pending or future matters.
Justice Gary S. Stein Public Interest Center Fellowship
The Justice Gary S. Stein Public Interest Center Fellowship was established in 2023. The Fellowship, which has a two-year term, offers attorneys a unique opportunity to work on public interest impact litigation and appellate advocacy within a law firm setting.
To learn more about the Justice Gary S. Stein Public Interest Center at Pashman Stein Walder Hayden and the fellowship please click here.
Contacting the Stein Public Interest Center
Individuals seeking representation specifically on matters related to the Open Public Records Act (OPRA) or Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) are welcome to contact the Justice Gary S. Stein Public Interest Center at Pashman Stein Walder Hayden directly by emailing CJ Griffin.
Except for OPRA and OPMA matters, the Stein Public Interest Center generally does not accept requests for representation made directly by individuals. Rather, potential clients seeking pro bono assistance in a legal matter must first contact a recognized public interest law organization or other screening agency, such as the Legal Services of New Jersey, American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey, or Volunteer Lawyers for Justice, for an intake interview. If the public interest law organization determines that the individual or group qualifies for legal services, it may accept the matter directly, or it may refer the matter to the Stein Public Interest Center for representation.
If you have a question about the Stein Public Interest Center or are a member of the media seeking an interview with one of our attorneys, you may contact us at PublicInterest@PashmanStein.com.
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