Alexander Shalom, the former Director of Supreme Court Advocacy at the ACLU-NJ, has joined Lowenstein Sandler as partner and Chair of the Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest. He will succeed Catherine Weiss, who led the center since 2012, expanding upon the firm's historic commitment to public service by building an award-winning program that serves hundreds of low-income individuals and the nonprofit organizations that support them.
Shalom joins the firm after over 13 years at the ACLU-NJ, most recently as Director of Supreme Court Advocacy, where he focused on litigating cases on issues that disproportionately impact people of color. He has extensive experience in policy advocacy in the areas of increased accountability in police practices, improving criminal justice and youth justice systems, better conditions for those in prisons and jails, expanded voting rights, fairer treatment for immigrants, and more equitable access to education.
Gary M. Wingens, Chair and Managing Partner of the firm, says: “Alexander Shalom is an ideal choice to continue the center’s admirable legacy alongside the center’s new Legal Director Natalie J. Kraner, while further expanding our pro bono initiatives.” He adds: “As much as we are sad for Catherine to be taking a step back, we’re really excited to see Alex and Natalie take the helm of the center and continue strengthening the program that we have built over the last 15 years.”
Shalom says: “Catherine leaves incredibly large shoes to fill. Although no one can replace her, Natalie and I aim to move the work of the center forward, focusing on the priority issues that have been at the forefront of the center's work—such as criminal and youth justice—as well responding to new challenges. We know that the world is changing, and as it does, we want to be prepared to bring the impressive resources of Lowenstein Sandler to address those needs.”
About the Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest
From its founding, Lowenstein Sandler has been committed to advancing the public interest and serving communities in need. The Lowenstein Center for the Public Interest embodies this commitment, directing the firm’s strong pro bono program and other forms of civic and philanthropic engagement. Through these efforts, the center addresses significant social problems and offers meaningful assistance to low-income and other marginalized people, along with the organizations that advocate for and support them. This work engages the full range of the firm’s talents and reflects the core values that imbue all of the firm’s efforts: to perform work of the highest quality in a manner that maximizes results for our clients and causes.
