Morris/Sussex Vicinage to Celebrate Law Day and Opening of ‘Black Pioneers in the Law’ Exhibit

The Morris/Sussex Vicinage will celebrate Law Day with a special program and the opening of the vicinage’s “Black Pioneers in the Law” exhibit on Wednesday, May 3 at 4 p.m. in the historic courtroom of the Morris County Historic Courtroom, Washington and Court streets, Morristown.

The Law Day celebration will begin with a presentation of colors by the Morris County Sheriff’s Honor Guard Unit and welcoming remarks from Assignment Judge Stuart A. Minkowitz. Trial Court Administrator Susan Chait will lead the Pledge of Allegiance and Administrative Director Glenn A. Grant will give the keynote address. The theme for this year’s Law Day event is “Cornerstones of Democracy: Civics, Civility, and Collaboration.”

The Morristown High School Vocal and String Ensemble, under the direction of Norma Davis, will perform. Morris County Bar Association President Steven J. Lowenthal will honor the members of the West Morris Mendham High School mock trial team, and Morris County Bar Foundation President Christopher Schellhorn Jr. will present them with certificates and a plaque.

Following the Law Day program, Rashad Shabaka-Burns, retired director of Probation Services, and Donita Judge, associate executive director for the Center for Constitutional Rights, will give brief remarks. They will join Superior Court Judge Michael A. Wright and attorney Charles Craig for a ribbon cutting to open the “Black Pioneers in the Law” exhibit, which honors key members of the Morris and Sussex communities.

On loan from the Bethel Church of Morristown, the exhibit will be on display through June 19 in celebration of Juneteenth.

The exhibit, located in the jury assembly room, includes display cases containing artifacts, photographs, and news articles recognizing black pioneers in the law.

The event, which is open to the public, is sponsored by the Morris/Sussex Vicinage; the vicinage’s Office of the Ombudsman; the Vicinage EEO/AA Advisory Committee, and the Vicinage Advisory Committee on Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Engagement. The celebration is in collaboration with the Morris and Sussex County Bar associations, the Morris County Bar Foundation, Morris Arts, Art in the Atrium, and the Bethel Church of Morristown.

For more information about the celebration, contact Ombudsman Jennifer Shultis at 862-397-5700, ext. 75069 or EEO/AA Officer Brian Maroldi at ext. 75253.