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Diversity Leadership Award to Judge Neals

  • January 9, 2026

L to R – Committee Members Steven Kleinman, Esq., Victor Alfanador, Esq., Judge Neals, Committee Chair Jason Holt, Esq. and Committee Member Elissa Grodd Schragger, Esq.

On November 20, 2025, the New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys’ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leadership Award was presented to Julien Xavier Neals, Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.  The presentation  was made by NJILGA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee at the Institute’s annual social event in Atlantic City.

The NJILGA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leadership Award was created by the New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys in 2023. The award is presented annually “In Recognition of an Attorney Who Has Demonstrated Leadership, Innovation, Creativity and Positive Impact in the Promotion of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Legal Profession, in Local Government and in the Community in General.” The award is customarily presented in November at the Institute’s Social Event during the annual New Jersey State League of Municipalities Conference in Atlantic City. Past recipients have been Eric S. Pennington (2023) and Victor A. Afanador (2024).

Judge Neals is a graduate of Morehouse College (B.A.) and Emory University School of Law (J.D.), He served as Law Clerk to the Honorable Seymour Margulies, Superior Court of New Jersey,1991-1992.  He was in private practice in Secaucus, New Jersey, 1993-2006, 2014-2015, served as Chief Judge of the Newark Municipal Court, 2006-2008, was City of Newark Corporation Counsel, 2008-2010 and Business Administrator for the City of Newark, 2010-2014 and served as Bergen County, New Jersey, 2015-2021, County Counsel 2015-2021 and Acting County Administrator, 2016-2021.

NJILGA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee determined that Judge Neals exemplifies the epitome of public service and a reputation for taking on difficult challenges in his leadership roles in local government.  He is the embodiment of a highly qualified, diverse legal professional who came through the ranks of local government to attain his elevation to the U.S. District Court.  The Diversity Committee of NJILGA is proud that he was selected as NJILGA’s 2025 honoree.

News

Diversity Leadership Award to Judge Neals

L to R – Committee Members Steven Kleinman, Esq., Victor Alfanador, Esq., Judge Neals, Committee Chair Jason Holt, Esq. and Committee Member Elissa Grodd Schragger, Esq.

On November 20, 2025, the New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys’ Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leadership Award was presented to Julien Xavier Neals, Judge of the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey.  The presentation  was made by NJILGA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee at the Institute’s annual social event in Atlantic City.

The NJILGA Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leadership Award was created by the New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys in 2023. The award is presented annually “In Recognition of an Attorney Who Has Demonstrated Leadership, Innovation, Creativity and Positive Impact in the Promotion of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in the Legal Profession, in Local Government and in the Community in General.” The award is customarily presented in November at the Institute’s Social Event during the annual New Jersey State League of Municipalities Conference in Atlantic City. Past recipients have been Eric S. Pennington (2023) and Victor A. Afanador (2024).

Judge Neals is a graduate of Morehouse College (B.A.) and Emory University School of Law (J.D.), He served as Law Clerk to the Honorable Seymour Margulies, Superior Court of New Jersey,1991-1992.  He was in private practice in Secaucus, New Jersey, 1993-2006, 2014-2015, served as Chief Judge of the Newark Municipal Court, 2006-2008, was City of Newark Corporation Counsel, 2008-2010 and Business Administrator for the City of Newark, 2010-2014 and served as Bergen County, New Jersey, 2015-2021, County Counsel 2015-2021 and Acting County Administrator, 2016-2021.

NJILGA’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee determined that Judge Neals exemplifies the epitome of public service and a reputation for taking on difficult challenges in his leadership roles in local government.  He is the embodiment of a highly qualified, diverse legal professional who came through the ranks of local government to attain his elevation to the U.S. District Court.  The Diversity Committee of NJILGA is proud that he was selected as NJILGA’s 2025 honoree.