Legal Services Oral Histories

Rafael’s first law position was with the Legal Aid Society of Mercer County, after which he became a staff attorney, then director, at the State Office of Legal Services in the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs. Rafael is a recipient of the LSNJ Richard J. Hughes Career Public Service Award. His interview was conducted on September 28, 2022.

Carl was an early director of Camden Regional Legal Services, where he argued for the plaintiffs-respondents and cross-appellants in Southern Burlington County NAACP v. Mt. Laurel (1975), the landmark decision that created affordable housing in New Jersey. Carl is a recipient of an LSNJ Life Achievement Award. His interview was conducted on April 3, 2017.

During Gerry's four-decade-long Legal Services career, he received the LSNJ Timothy K. Madden Award for Lifetime Achievement (2017), Donna Hildreth Award for Contributions in Training (2006), Sue Perger Special Award for Statewide Contributions and Impact (2003), and the J. Harris David Career Service to People in Poverty (1999). His interview was conducted on October 29, 2019.

​Pat served as Director of the Mercer County Legal Aid program, then Deputy Director of the Mercer County CJLS program from 1979 until his retirement in 2015. He is the recipient of the LSNJ Timothy K. Madden Award for Lifetime Achievement Award (2015) and the  J. Harris David Career Service to People in Poverty Award (2006). His interview took place on May 22, 2018.

​Felipe began working for Legal Services of New Jersey in 1976, where he was instrumental in developing community legal education materials. In 1989, he became Executive Director of Essex-Newark Legal Services. He is the recipient of the LSNJ J. Harris David Career Services to People in Poverty Award (2003). His interview was conducted on June 8, 2016.

As the first Director of Camden Legal Services, David supervised work on the Marini v. Ireland, State v. Shack, and Mount Laurel I cases and served on the CRLS Board for more than 20 years while in private practice. He is a legal ethics expert witness and author and, upon his retirement, returned to SJLS's Mt. Holly office as a volunteer. His interview was conducted on March 27, 2017.

Ted began working for Hudson County Legal Services in 1970 and remained with the program until his retirement in 2010. He is the recipient of the LSNJ Timothy K. Madden Award for Lifetime Achievement (2009), the Sue Perger Award (1998), the J. Harris David Award (1997), and the Ronald B. Atlas Award (1987). His interview was conducted on April 13, 2016.

Ken has worked for Legal Services since 1987 and been SJLS's Director of Litigation and Advocacy since 2007. In addition to many group awards, Ken is the recipient of the LSNJ Cesar Torres Award for Impact Advocacy (2006), Donna Hildreth Award (2004), Sue Perger Award (1999), and Ronald B. Atlas Award (1995). His interview was conducted on October 14, 2016.

Ann’s career with South Jersey Legal Services began in 1992 and includes being awarded the Cynthia Barker Attorney Award (1999) and the Sue Perger Special Award for Statewide Contributions and Impact (2003). She is currently deputy director, and the J. Harris David Career Service to People in Poverty (1999). Her interview was conducted on August 23, 2022.

​​Tim served as the Director of Northeast NJ Legal Services for nearly 40 years until his retirement in 2007. He is the recipient of the LSNJ Sue Perger Special Award (2003) and the J. Harris David Career Service Award (1991). The Timothy K. Madden Award for Lifetime Achievement is given in his honor. His interview was conducted on August 9, 2016.

​Bill was hired as the first director of Legal Aid Society of Morris County in 1971 and remained there until his retirement in 2013. He is the recipient of the LSNJ Timothy K. Madden Award for Lifetime Achievement (2012), the J. Harris David Career Service to People in Poverty Award (1993),  and the Outstanding Director Award (1986). His interview took place on January 23, 2019.

​Paul joined the New Brunswick program in 1978 and served as Director from 1978 to 2012. He is the recipient of the LSNJ Timothy K. Madden Award for Lifetime Achievement (2012), the Sue Perger Special Award for Statewide Contributions and Impact, and the  J. Harris David Career Service Award (1998). His interview was conducted on October 3, 2016. 

​Jose began his career with Essex-Newark Legal Services in 1996 and became Deputy Director in 2015. He is the recipient of the LSNJ Donna Hildreth Award for Contributions to Training (2010), the Richard J. Bennett Supervising Attorney Award (2006), and the Madeline L. Houston Attorney Award (2001). His interview was conducted on August 25, 2016.

​Connie worked at Camden Regional and Ocean-Monmouth Legal Services before coming to LSNJ, where he was Vice President until his retirement in 2014. He is the recipient of the LSNJ Ronald B. Atlas Attorney Award (1985). The Connie Pascale Award for Community Development and Engagement is given in his honor. His interview was conducted on July 14, 2016.

​Olga began her Legal Services career in Mercer County in 1984, but has been with the SJLS Camden office since 1994. In addition to many LSNJ group awards, she is the recipient of the LSNJ J. Harris David Career Service to People in Poverty Award (2015) and the Cesar Torres Award for Extraordinary Advocacy (2001). Her interview was conducted on October 14, 2016.

Maura’s Legal Services career began in Delaware and included the Essex-Newark and Ocean-Monmouth programs in the 1990s. In 1999 she joined the staff of Legal Services of New Jersey with a focus on entitlements. She is currently Chief Counsel of Housing, Health Care, and Government Safety Net Programs. Maura’s interview was conducted on August 31, 2022.

​Stanley began working in the Paterson Legal Services office in 1989 and has worked in many areas over the years, but most enjoys entitlements work. He is the recipient of the LSNJ Cesar Torres Award for Impact Advocacy (2017), the J. Harris David Career Service Award (2007), and the James B. Larsen Award (1998). His interview was conducted on March 14, 2018.