All of us at Javerbaum Wurgaft Hick Kahn Wikstrom & Sinins know how important it is to participate in our communities. Our lawyers volunteer with educational and cultural institutions, support environmental initiatives, and contribute to organizations that help to better the lives of many New Jersey children and families. We get involved in our towns, sometimes through mentoring programs and also as coaches to young, up-and-coming New Jersey athletes. We believe in strengthening our local, state and national legal organizations, as members and leaders within numerous groups. We are committed to Pro Bono work as well, offering our time and experience to those who cannot afford legal assistance. We sit on private and civic boards, and roll up our sleeves to participate in many charity programs, fundraisers and community outreach efforts. Through the representative list below, you can learn more about our commitment to our communities.

Pro Bono Work

Pro Bono work is very important to the firm and many of our attorneys devote a great deal of time providing assistance to those who cannot afford legal representation. Included in that effort is the firm's work with "Trial Lawyers Care," a project of the Association of Trial Lawyers of America. A Javerbaum Wurgaft attorney represented the husband and infant daughter of a woman who died in the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Under his guidance, the family obtained a net recovery from the September 11^th Fund of more than $1.2 million.

Firm attorneys also volunteer their time to the New Jersey State Bar Association's Mass Disaster Response Program. In the wake of the September 11 attacks, mass-scale disaster is a reality that the state continues to prepare for. This program provides effective and compassionate Pro Bono legal services to victims who often find themselves coping with significant damage to their homes and businesses, or worse, the loss of loved ones. Attorneys affiliated with this program step in and provide guidance during a time of need.

Improving the lives of the disabled is also a priority of Javerbaum Wurgaft, and one attorney devotes many Pro Bono hours to the Citizens Advisory Council of the Disabled, an organization that represents and advocates for the interests of severely disabled Monmouth County residents.

Legal Organizations

For the last three decades, attorneys from Javerbaum Wurgaft have been involved in many local bar associations in a variety of capacities. Some attorneys have served as president or trustee, while others have chaired committees and have run fundraisers to raise money for the community-such as the recent Golf and Tennis Outing held by the Union County Bar Association. Javerbaum attorneys helped organize and participated in the event that raised much-needed funds for charitable endeavors throughout the County.

Firm attorneys also serve as frequent speakers and guest lecturers for legal and business organizations including the New Jersey State Bar Association, the New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education, the American Association for Justice, the Association of Trial Lawyers of America-New Jersey Chapter, the Essex and Union County Bar Associations, New Jersey Educational Foundation, the National Employment Lawyers Association-New York and New Jersey Chapters, Seton Hall Law School, Northern New Jersey Chapter of the American Board of Trial Advocates, the National Business Institute and various Chambers of Commerce and local businesses.

Government Work

All of the Javerbaum Wurgaft attorneys are proud residents of New Jersey with strong ties to their local communities and some choose to serve as civil servants to better the neighborhoods in which they live and work. One attorney is a Florham Park Borough Councilman and volunteers his time on the Historical Preservation Committee. Another, born, raised and educated in Newark, NJ, continues his family's tradition of support for the Democratic Party and has served as a Warren County Democratic Party Committeeman for several years before accepting an appointment to the Board of Commissioners of the Phillipsburg Housing Authority. As Commissioner, he volunteered his time, talent and legal skills to the dedicated effort of making safe, sanitary and affordable housing readily available to the working poor in his area. Under his guidance, the Phillipsburg Housing Authority achieved "High Performer" status - HUD's highest possible rating for a Housing Authority - for each and every year he served as Commissioner. Later, this Javerbaum Wurgaft attorney was replaced on the Board of Commissioners by his wife so that he could serve as the Municipal Court Judge of the Town of Phillipsburg.

Education

Committed to improving education, Javerbaum Wurgaft attorneys have served as Counsel to the Board of Directors of the Springfield Public Library and have chaired a number of fundraising events to provide access to quality education. One attorney chairs the Florham Park Jaycees Scholarship Committee, which in 2007 gave five $1,000 scholarships to graduating seniors in town. Another helps organize and participates in the Junior Chamber of Commerce Golf Classic, which also raises much-needed funds for educational scholarships in the area.

Another important component of education is learning how to work with and support others, and participating in a mock trial program delivers that hands-on learning experience. Javerbaum Wurgaft attorneys have offered support and guidance to the Shore Regional High School and the Solomon Schechter Day School's Mock Trial Teams. When students participate at any level of the mock trial program, they have a firsthand opportunity to learn about the work of trial attorneys, understand the judicial system, develop critical thinking and enhance communication skills-all important tools in a career and in life.

Organizations that Strengthen Our Community

Whether it's sending kids to camp, creating a local chapter of Habitat for Humanity, or helping to develop programs against drug and alcohol abuse, Javerbaum Wurgaft attorneys are first in line to help out and provide support for those in need.

The Florham Park and the Fanwood-Scotch Plains Jaycees are two organizations in the area that are stronger with the support of Javerbaum Wurgaft attorneys. One partner chaired the Camp Jaycee Committee to raise much-needed funds to send developmentally disabled children to a summer camp in the Poconos. The camp is run by The Arc of New Jersey, a well-known advocacy organization that improves the quality of life of children with developmental and intellectual disabilities. Another partner serves as Secretary of the organization and also devotes a substantial amount of time to the Junior Chamber of Commerce to raise money for children in need in the Borough.

With a longstanding interest in building better communities, firm attorneys have also worked with the Florham Park Municipal Alliance Against Drug and Alcohol Abuse, they have served as a board member of the Jewish Community Housing Corporation (JCHC), a nonprofit provider of quality housing for senior citizens in northern New Jersey, and helped to create the Western Monmouth Chapter of Habitat for Humanity. Other attorneys have focused on providing legal guidance to the general public including serving as an instructor for the "People's Law School" Program at Union County Community College. This important lecture series provides local residents with free access to lawyers who can talk about practical topics and answer questions on complicated legal subjects that can sometimes be confusing.

Youth Sports

There is no doubt that participation in youth sports helps children build confidence and establish life-long values. Firm attorneys volunteer their time on the sidelines serving as role models and mentors coaching promising New Jersey athletes in soccer, basketball, softball, fencing and baseball. One attorney is even a certified high school basketball official.