City of Montclair Township

When did you move to Montclair?  I arrived in Montclair in 1981 with trepidation, as only a New Yorker can when “surrendering” to the suburbs.  Lo and behold, I found not just a backyard and good schools for my then three year old, but also a vibrant, heterogeneous community that I quickly grew to love.

Are you currently employed?  If so, doing what?  If you had a career, what was it?  I was then, and remain, an active lawyer focusing on employment litigation.  My proudest professional achievement is having had the honor to represent a group of African American reporters who broke the “glass ceiling” at the New York Daily News in a nine week jury trial centered on racial discrimination in promotions to management ranks.  After prevailing in that case in 1987, I had the good fortune to find a brilliant law partner, my friend and fellow Montclair resident, Kathleen (“KC” ) Goger.

Have you done any volunteer work?  If so, what type and with what organization?  In 2013 I took a three year “sabbatical” to help care for my one and only grandson in Brooklyn.  During that time I became involved as a volunteer with Toni’s Kitchen and at St. Luke’s Church in Montclair, where I served as a volunteer coordinator.  Subsequently I formed a lay ministry at St. Luke’s called the Caring Community.  The “CC” lends a helping hand to parishioners who, by reason of illness or disability, face challenges of daily living.  I now try to integrate that volunteer work with a limited number of employment litigations.

What are your plans for future? How does Montclair fit into these plans?  While I may need to leave Montclair in the near future for personal reasons, I will do so “kicking and screaming”.  I have loved living in a town that is diverse, progressive, and dynamic.  Montclair has sophistication mixed into a small town “feel”.  Not to mention offering the chance to do all of one’s Christmas shopping without ever having to step foot in a mall.  

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2lnjoKr_waU