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On May 9, the annual State Employee Recognition Day Awards Ceremony was held at the New Jersey War Memorial honoring state employees for their outstanding commitment to public service.

The New Jersey Office of the Punlic Defender (NJOPD) was pleased to recognize the following teams and individuals during this year’s event:

Innovation and Efficiency Award

Senior Executive Aparna Shah and the Management Information Systems (MIS) team were honored with the Innovation and Efficiency Award for their continued efforts to identify and implement cutting-edge technology to make services more efficient and accessible to individuals NJOPD represent.

Particularly, the team is working alongside the Governor’s Office of Innovation, Princeton University, high-tech companies and private law firms to create a custom Artificial Intelligence (AI) platform that will help meet the evolving needs of individuals as well as position the agency as a national leader in the use of AI in public defense.

In addition to Shah, the MIS team includes:

• Morris Boakai
• Jonathan Cordero
• Carlos Correa
• Dwayne Hadley
• Vaishali Mandrekar
• Ian Manuguerra
• Segun Okelola
• Vinay Panchal
• Brandon Rios
• Kern Roberts
• Jose Selaya
• Niven Surenthiran
• Emmanuel Toe
• Richard Zeilsdorff

Leadership/Professional Achievement Award

Assistant Deputy Public Defender Frank McCarthy was recognized with the Leadership/Professional Achievement Award for his tireless, first-rate advocacy and leadership that has contributed to better outcomes for those he represents. He has truly established a higher standard of client service by example, setting the tone that all New Jerseyans deserve the best defense possible.

McCarthy’s extensive knowledge of the Criminal Justice Reform Act coupled with his own creativity and advocacy as an experienced criminal trial attorney resulted in the Ocean Trial Region developing a uniform protocol for how to litigate detention hearings. He singlehandedly developed a blueprint for how the region regularly prepares for detention hearings by creating defense mitigation packets to improve processes and procedures.

Serving as a trusted resource for his colleagues and individuals he represents, McCarthy has voluntarily participated in a countryside nonprofit group to stay current on the various resources available to New Jerseyans. He has gathered imperative information and has built networks that directly benefit those he serves as well as the broader office.

Governor’s Team of Excellence Award

Assistant Deputy Public Defender George Morton was recognized for his commitment to public service and efforts to make New Jersey a fairer and stronger place to live and work.

Serving the State’s most vulnerable population, Morton acts as a fierce advocate for parents and families who are in need of social service support, and he zealously meets related challenges and issues for each and every individual he represents. His professionalism is beyond reproach, and he ensures that all New Jerseyans are treated with the fairness and dignity they deserve.

In addition to handling his own caseload, Morton manages attorneys, clerical staff and investigative staff, remaining active in the many courtrooms his attorneys appear. He continues to build valuable relationships with all players, regardless of their title, offering everyone an equal amount of respect.

Join us in congratulating the MIS team, McCarthy and Morton on their outstanding achievements.