The New Jersey State Bar Foundation awarded grants to 14 affinity and county bar associations in New Jersey to support programs and events that cultivate a deeper understanding of the legal system among students and the public.
The grants, in support of Law Day or Court Night celebrations, make the law more accessible to thousandsĀ of people around the state. All events center on an annual theme selected by the American Bar Association to spotlight an aspect of law or a legal process and its impact on daily life. This year’s theme is āThe Rule of Law and the American Dream.ā Law Day is a national event celebrated May 1, but many of the New Jersey events are held throughout the spring.
A wide range of programming is planned. Many county bars will honor and recognize the high school teams who participate in the NJSBFās Vincent J. Apruzzese High School Mock Trial Competition. Other events include open house events in local courthouses, panel discussions with members of the Judiciary, mock trial programs at elementary and middle schools, partnerships with local vicinages to host educational presentations, and courthouse tours. Essex County, Hudson County and Passaic County will hold countywide art, poetry, essay and rap/song contests link to this yearās Law Day theme.
For more than 30 years, NJSBF has offered Court Night/Law Day cosponsorship funding as part of its mission to educate the public about our legal system.
The affinity and county bar associations that have received funding include:
- Association of Black Women Lawyers of New Jersey
- Burlington County Bar Association
- Cape May County Bar Association
- Cumberland County Bar Association
- Essex County Bar Association
- Gloucester County Bar Foundation
- Hispanic National Bar Association
- Hudson County Bar Association
- Hunterdon County Bar Association
- Monmouth Bar Association
- New Jersey Muslim Lawyers Association
- Passaic County Bar Association
- Sussex County Bar Association
- Warren County Bar Association
Funding for the NJSBF Court Night/Law Day grant program is made possible through support from the IOLTA Fund of the Bar of New Jersey.
More about the Foundationās Court Night/Law Day grants can be found here.
Originally published February 23, 2026
Bar Report of the New Jersey State Bar Association