Attorneys Hartman, Chartered is thrilled to announce that Nicholas Gangemi, Associate Attorney, has been honored with the 2024 Mary Philbrook Student Public Interest Award from Rutgers Law School. This award, given for “outstanding achievement in the pursuit of social justice,” highlights Nicholas’s exemplary commitment to legislative reform and public interest work.
Nicholas received the award for his significant contributions to three impactful legislative initiatives, each advancing protections for vulnerable communities:
- Expansion of Civil Protections under SASPAUnder the guidance of Professor Ruth Anne Robbins, Nicholas contributed to drafting and advocating for Senate Bill 1517. This legislation expands the scope of the Sexual Assault Survivor Protection Act (SASPA), allowing individuals who experience stalking or cyber harassment to seek a restraining order. Nicholas’s advocacy included testifying before the legislature in support of the bill. On July 24, 2023, Governor Phillip Murphy signed this critical bill into law, and Nicholas attended the signing in recognition of his role.
- Advocacy for Mental Health Reform in Bar Admission StandardsNicholas also took a leading role in advocating for mental health reform within the legal profession. His work on Student Resolution #1, endorsed by the Student Bar Associations and faculty unions from both the Camden and Newark campuses, urged the Supreme Court Committee on Character to eliminate discriminatory mental health questions from the bar application’s character and fitness evaluation. Thanks to these efforts, the New Jersey Supreme Court implemented changes on September 19, 2023, reshaping the scope of mental health inquiries in the bar application process.
- Advancing Protections against Coercive Control in Domestic Violence CasesNicholas’s advocacy extended to supporting survivors of domestic abuse through Assembly Bill 1475, which amended the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act (PVDA) to require courts to consider evidence of coercive control in restraining order decisions. Nicholas’s commitment was instrumental in drafting and testifying in support of the bill. On January 8, 2024, Governor Murphy signed A1475 into law, marking a victory for those facing domestic abuse.
We at Attorneys Hartman, Chartered, are incredibly proud of Nicholas's achievements and are honored to have him as part of our team. His commitment to public interest law exemplifies the values of our firm and underscores our dedication to meaningful legal change. Congratulations, Nicholas, on this well-deserved recognition!