Quijano Honored By New Jersey State Bar Association Diversity Committee

Assemblywoman Receives Prestigious Mel Narol Award

(TRENTON) – The New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA) Diversity Committee and its Board of Trustees has chosen Assemblywoman Annette Quijano as the recipient of the 2019 Mel Narol Award. The award is presented annually to those who have led inclusion efforts and made great strides for women and diverse attorneys.

“I am honored to receive the Mel Narol Award,” said Quijano (D-Union), who is a practicing attorney. “Empowering more women lawyers and promoting diversity in our profession is critically important. We want attorneys to reflect the population of our state. Mel Narol is a role model for me because of all that he stood for.”

Narol was a charter member of the NJSBA’s Task Force on Diversity. The award celebrates his tireless efforts to increase diversity in the Association. The award is a celebration of his hard work, unwavering kindness and his collegiality.

NJSBA President John E. Keefe Jr. informed Quijano of her selection as the 2019 awardee into a letter to the Assemblyman.

“In selecting you for the award, the Diversity Committee highlighted the work you have done on the state level to champion causes related to economic, social and racial equality,” wrote Keefe. “Among other things, the committee noted your leadership on LGBTQ equality, improved security for religious communities, expanded paid family leave, removal of the statute of limitations on sexual assault and leveling the insurance playing field for all attorneys in New Jersey.”

The award was presented to Quijano at the 2019 NJSBA Annual Meeting and Convention in Atlantic City during a Diversity Luncheon on May 16.