FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact Florence Nathan
732-937-7518
June 05, 2009
STATE BAR FOUNDATION TO HONOR MIDDLESEX JUDGE FOR VOLUNTEERISM
The New Jersey State Bar Foundation’s (NJSBF) is presenting its 2009 Outstanding Volunteer Service Award to the Hon. Travis L. Francis, Assignment Judge for Middlesex County, at the NJSBF’s Annual Medal of Honor Awards Reception on Thursday, June 11, at the New Jersey Law Center in New Brunswick.
“Judge Francis has been of invaluable service to the Foundation over many years,” said Mary Ellen Tully, NJSBF president. “He is truly deserving of this honor.”
He became involved in the Foundation’s Law Fair and Law Adventure mock trial programs for elementary and middle schools since their inception, some 18 and 14 years ago, respectively. “During that time he presided over these programs with humor, dignity, encouragement and an obvious enjoyment of and appreciation for the students’ accomplishments,” said Ms. Tully.
Judge Francis also provided vital assistance in the 2008-2009 American Mock Trial Invitational high school competition, cosponsored by the NSJBF and the North Carolina Advocates for Justice. Hosted this year by the NJSBF, the competition “would not have been possible without his help and support,” said Ms. Tully. “Not only did he make the Middlesex County Courthouse available for two days, providing courtrooms for mock trials for students from all over the United States and abroad, he graciously took time from his busy schedule to preside over the championship round. We are extremely appreciative of all he has done for the Foundation.”
A native of the Bronx, New York, the South Brunswick resident became the first African-American judge ever appointed to the Middlesex Vicinage. He was appointed as assignment judge in May 2007 by New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice James Zazalli.
For more information on the NJSBF’s awards ceremony, please contact Florence Nathan at the Bar Foundation at 732-937-7518.
Founded in 1958, the New Jersey State Bar Foundation is the educational and philanthropic arm of the New Jersey State Bar Association. The Bar Foundation’s mission is to promote public understanding of the law through a free, comprehensive public education program. Among its activities, the Foundation conducts seminars and conflict resolution training, publishes materials, operates a videotape loan library and speakers bureau, and coordinates elementary, middle and high school mock trial competitions.
—NJSBF—