‘Jersey girl’ had early ambitions for an impactful career in law
New York attorney Jessica Klotz remembers crying as a young girl when in 1981 Sandra Day O’Connor became the first woman appointed to the U.S. Supreme Court.
But hers were not tears of joy.
Rather, Klotz was crushed with disappointment. As far back as the 4th grade, she had set her eyes on becoming the first woman on the nation’s high court when she was given the role of judge in a class project that simulated a small town.
“I’m probably the only woman who cried when Sandra Day O’Connor was appointed because that was my dream,” says Klotz.
The law hook was set, however, and Klotz knew from that day that she was going to be a lawyer.
A self-proclaimed “Jersey girl, born and bred,” Klotz grew up in Hackensack before the family moved to Fair Lawn when she was 10 and her sister was 6. Her father was in real estate and her mother, after staying home to raise children, returned to school to get a paralegal degree and then a master’s in library science. She became the law librarian for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey in Newark.
“To see her at work or hear from the lawyers who worked with her about her as a professional was a unique experience,” says Klotz, who would occasionally grab lunch with her mom when she had appearances in the federal court in Newark. “She was very impressive.”
But hers were not tears of joy.
Rather, Klotz was crushed with disappointment. As far back as the 4th grade, she had set her eyes on becoming the first woman on the nation’s high court when she was given the role of judge in a class project that simulated a small town.
“I’m probably the only woman who cried when Sandra Day O’Connor was appointed because that was my dream,” says Klotz.
The law hook was set, however, and Klotz knew from that day that she was going to be a lawyer.
A self-proclaimed “Jersey girl, born and bred,” Klotz grew up in Hackensack before the family moved to Fair Lawn when she was 10 and her sister was 6. Her father was in real estate and her mother, after staying home to raise children, returned to school to get a paralegal degree and then a master’s in library science. She became the law librarian for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey in Newark.
“To see her at work or hear from the lawyers who worked with her about her as a professional was a unique experience,” says Klotz, who would occasionally grab lunch with her mom when she had appearances in the federal court in Newark. “She was very impressive.”
Eckart Brödermann
Brödermann Jahn, Hamburg, Germany
Brödermann Jahn, Hamburg, Germany
What is the most awe-inspiring place you have visited?
"Bergen, Norway, because I met my wife, the biggest inspiration of my life, there on a sailboat (approximately 33 years ago)."
"Bergen, Norway, because I met my wife, the biggest inspiration of my life, there on a sailboat (approximately 33 years ago)."
Coffee & Conversation
March 20th at 10:00 am EDT
Law Enforcement is at the company's door. What do we do?
Damian Conforti & Rob Scrivo
Mandelbaum Barrett PC, Roseland, New Jersey
March 20th at 10:00 am EDT
Law Enforcement is at the company's door. What do we do?
Damian Conforti & Rob Scrivo
Mandelbaum Barrett PC, Roseland, New Jersey
If you are interested in being featured in a future edition of the Primerus Weekly, please contact Chris Dawe at cdawe@primerus.com.
Good People who Happen to be Good Lawyers.
Value is defined by commitment, knowledge, attitude, service, reliability, and respect. These are the six core characteristics that should serve as the guiding principles of your work life.
The third pillar of Primerus™ is the by-product of time spent adding value to other people’s lives, displaying a desire to provide exceptional and trustworthy service in an ongoing effort to exceed client expectations. It is the personal touch that is applied at every turn and is evidence that “you don’t get paid for the hour; you get paid for the value you bring to the hour.”
The third pillar of Primerus™ is the by-product of time spent adding value to other people’s lives, displaying a desire to provide exceptional and trustworthy service in an ongoing effort to exceed client expectations. It is the personal touch that is applied at every turn and is evidence that “you don’t get paid for the hour; you get paid for the value you bring to the hour.”
Changing the World in the Nick of Time
Upcoming Global event could usher in a new era full of hope
In some seven months, we will take the “World of Primerus™” to a site that is rich in history and steeped in symbolism for the betterment of mankind.
The 2023 Global Conference for Primerus™ will take place this October in Paris, and more specifically the nearby city of Versailles, home to the landmark Palace of Versailles, the massive royal residence built in the 17th century by King Louis XIV of France.
The palace, with its lavish gardens and fountains, is a spectacular example of French classical architecture while also serving as a beacon of hope when the peace treaty that formally ended World War I – the “war to end all wars” – was negotiated and signed in June 1919 by the Allies and Germany.
The 2023 Global Conference for Primerus™ will take place this October in Paris, and more specifically the nearby city of Versailles, home to the landmark Palace of Versailles, the massive royal residence built in the 17th century by King Louis XIV of France.
The palace, with its lavish gardens and fountains, is a spectacular example of French classical architecture while also serving as a beacon of hope when the peace treaty that formally ended World War I – the “war to end all wars” – was negotiated and signed in June 1919 by the Allies and Germany.
Primerus™ Weekly invites different points of view
The Primerus™ Weekly welcomes letters to the editor and op-ed columns on timely topics or items of general interest.
Submissions should be limited to 800 words and must be timely, well written, and reflect a relevant point of view that will enlighten our readers. All submissions will be edited for clarity, grammar, and style. Anonymous submissions will not be accepted, nor will those that contain falsehoods or potentially libelous information.
For those interested in contributing a letter to the editor or an op-ed column, please include a short bio (20-30 words) along with your contact information. Submissions should be sent to Robin Lewis at rlewis@primerus.com.
June 8, 2023
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Versailles, France
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Versailles, France
SAVE THE DATE & CHECK YOUR PASSPORT IS UP TO DATE!
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