Our Team

The Justice Gary S. Stein Public Interest Center is led by Pashman Stein Walder Hayden P.C. partner CJ Griffin, who serves as director of the Center. The Stein Public Interest Center’s team includes attorneys across all practice areas at Pashman Stein, who contribute their time and skills to work on the Center’s public interest and pro bono matters.

The Stein Public Interest Center is an integral part of the culture at Pashman Stein, bringing meaning, purpose, and passion into our professional experience, further strengthening our culture and deepening our connection to each other and the community.

Justice Gary S. Stein (Ret.), for whom the Center is named, and Hon. Stuart Peim, J.S.C. (Ret.), focus a significant amount of their time on matters for the Stein Public Interest Center. Together with retired Appellate Division Presiding Judge Hon. Ellen L. Koblitz, P.J.A.D. (Ret.), retired Appellate Division Presiding Judge Hon. Edwin H. Stern, P.J.A.D. (Ret.), and retired Superior Court Judge Hon. Mary F. Thurber, J.S.C. (Ret.), they provide invaluable guidance and perspective to the Stein Public Interest Center.

In fall 2023, the Justice Gary S. Stein Public Interest Fellow was established. The Fellowship offers attorneys a unique opportunity to work on public interest impact litigation and appellate advocacy within a law firm setting. Further information about the Fellowship program is located in About the Center.

In addition to representing clients in important public interest and pro bono cases, we partner with local, regional, and national organizations to promote and advance justice, including representing such organizations as pro bono amicus curiae counsel.  Our partner organizations include the American Civil Liberties Union – New Jersey, the Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers – New Jersey, Partners for Women and Justice, the Latino Action Network, Libertarians for Transparent Government, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the New Jersey Monitor, the Jersey Vindicator, the New Jersey Press Association, the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender, and many more.