Jason Holt Named to New Jersey Law Journal’s Diverse Attorneys of the Year List
The New Jersey Law Journal this week recognized Jason Holt, a Member of Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi’s Real Estate Group and Co-Chair of the Firm’s Diversity, Equity & Inclusion (“DEI”) Committee, as one of only 14 attorneys in the state named to the publication’s Diverse Attorneys of the Year list.
Jason, a seasoned attorney with more than two decades of experience in local government, municipal corporations, turnaround strategy, litigation and fiscal management, was honored by the New Jersey Law Journal for his DEI efforts and for helping disenfranchised and marginalized clients.
Jason, who also serves as the first chairperson of the New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys DE&I Committee, told the publication that he seeks to make a difference by “having an impact in a positive way on the lives and circumstances of people and the society in which we live.”
“One of an attorney’s greatest gifts is the ability to work within the system to bring about a positive outcome for both clients and society,” he said. “Ultimately, the question you must ask yourself is whether the situation is better because of your involvement.”
Some of the ways Jason has made this positive impact include his pro bono work with Volunteer Lawyers for Justice by helping clients obtain expungements and address tenancy issues – and through his work to correct an injustice on behalf of the Buffalo Soldiers of the 24th Infantry.
These Black soldiers were executed and jailed for an incident in Houston, Texas which resulted in the largest court martial and execution of soldiers in the history of the United States. Despite serving in the U.S. Army, these soldiers were hung following a flawed trial with no chance of appeal while others were sent to prison. A clemency petition is currently pending, and a decision is expected before the end of the year from the secretary of the U.S. Army.
Jason told the New Jersey Law Journal that “[a] new attorney who is looking to make an impact needs to find a legal passion and pursue it wholeheartedly.”
“Find something that you feel good enough about that you’re never going to quit trying to make it materialize,” he said. “Once you find that passion, you must feed it, water it, let the sun hit it and make sure that it grows. And, as always, pay attention to what else may be growing in your garden.”
The full Diverse Attorneys of the Year list is available here, and Jason’s Q&A with the publication can be viewed here.
Visit csglaw.com/award-methodology for additional details on the selection process for the above-mentioned recognitions. No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey.