CSG Well-Represented in ROI-NJ 2020 Influencers: People of Color List
Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC (“CSG”) congratulates Shirley U. Emehelu, Jason Holt and Ariel Rivera for being named among ROI-NJ’s 2020 Influencers: People of Color List — a recognition of New Jersey’s most impactful and influential people of color. Notably, CSG had the largest presence of the State’s law firms within the listing.
“Fostering a continuously more diverse and inclusive workplace is a strategic imperative for our firm’s leadership, and outstanding professionals such as Shirley, Jason and Ariel — each of whom brings their own unique perspectives and backgrounds to the benefit of the CSG family — have been critical in moving us toward that objective,” said Daniel A. Schwartz, CSG’s Managing Member. “We are thankful to each of them for their many contributions, and we are delighted to be so well-represented amid such a prestigious group of the State’s business leaders.”
ROI-NJ credits Ms. Emehelu, through her role as Chair of CSG’s Diversity and Inclusion Committee, with spearheading the firm’s response to the racial injustices that took place in the spring and helping the firm raise more than $24,000 for the New Jersey Institute for Social Justice. In addition, she is currently advancing efforts to expand the firm’s pro bono, training and development programs. Ms. Emehelu — who joined CSG after an almost decade-long career as a federal prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, where she served as Chief of Asset Recovery and Anti-Money Laundering — is a Member of the firm’s Litigation Group and co-leader of the Banking & Finance Group, with her practice focusing on complex commercial litigation, financial regulatory compliance, white collar defense, corporate and government investigations, and asset recovery.
The publication touts Mr. Holt’s many high-profile roles in public service prior to joining CSG – which have included Business Administrator to the City of Atlantic City to assist in the implementation of the Municipal Stabilization & Recovery Act, and Corporation Counsel to the City of East Orange, where he oversaw the broad spectrum of the city’s legal affairs. Advancing the principles of diversity and inclusion was a central theme throughout Mr. Holt’s career in public office. In acknowledgment of his commitment and civic efforts, he was awarded a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for his work on civil rights. As a Member with the firm’s Real Estate, Development & Land Use Group, he draws upon his background navigating the political and economic challenges that arise throughout the redevelopment process to assist both government entities and real estate developers. Notably, he is also a key member of CSG's Diversity & Inclusion Committee.
Mr. Rivera, who serves as the firm’s Communications Specialist, was named to the Rising Stars segment of the list and dubbed “one to watch in corporate communications.” An essential member of the firm’s marketing and business development team, Mr. Rivera “has established himself as a trusted resource, a strong writer and a selfless team player who is always focused first and foremost on what is best for the CSG Law firm.”
To view the full ROI-NJ 2020 Influencers: People of Color list, please click here.
Visit csglaw.com/award-methodology for additional details on the selection process for the above-mentioned recognitions.
