Tracey Salmon-Smith and Leonard V. Jones Honored with GSBA Awards
Volunteer Lawyers for Justice congratulates Tracey Salmon-Smith, a VLJ board trustee, and Leonard V. Jones, a member of VLJ’s Generation Now Committee, for being honored by the Garden State Bar Association.
Tracey, a partner at Faegre Drinker, is being honored with the Oliver Randolph Award, named for prominent civil rights advocate and attorney Oliver Randolph who, in 1914, became the first Black American admitted to practice law in New Jersey. In addition to serving as Deputy State Attorney General, Mr. Randolph served for ten years as Assistant United States Attorney, the first Black person in New Jersey to do so. Additionally, as the only Black delegate to attend New Jersey’s 1947 Constitutional Convention, Mr. Randolph fought for an amendment abolishing segregation in public schools and the militia. The amendment was ultimately adopted and became a part of New Jersey’s Bill of Rights.
Leonard, an associate at Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney PC, is being honored with the Paulette Brown Young Lawyer Award, named for Paulette Brown to pay tribute to her living legacy and steadfast dedication to community and public service. Ms. Brown is the first woman of color and the third Black American to be president of the American Bar Association. Ms. Brown has mentored countless attorneys, and her presence, power, and purpose serve as an inspirational example of what fighting for justice and equity looks like.
Many congratulations again to Tracey and Leonard as well as all the other honorees on the well-deserved awards! To join in the celebration, please click here to register for the GSBA’s 49th Anniversary Scholarship and Awards Gala taking place on June 29 at the Maritime Parc in Jersey City.