Jennifer Harwood Receives New Jersey Law Journal's 2013 New Leaders of the Bar Award

Online, July 29, 2013 (Newswire.com) - Today, the New Jersey Law Journal announced that attorney Jennifer Harwood will receive one of this year's New Leaders of the Bar awards. Admitted to the New Jersey Bar in 2001, Jennifer Harwood has been vigorously fighting for justice on behalf of numerous personal injury and mass tort plaintiffs and their families for the past twelve years.

The New Jersey Law Journal presents the prestigious New Leaders of the Bar award to a select group of New Jersey attorneys under the age of 40. Criteria for the selection of these rising stars include demonstrated leadership qualities, expertise in litigation, charitable volunteer work, and other factors that exemplify the ways that these attorneys stand out among their peers.

Jennifer Harwood currently practices with the law firm Keefe Bartels, located in Red Bank, New Jersey. Her practice focuses primarily on mass torts, medical malpractice, product liability, and personal injury cases.

Currently, Jennifer represents several clients suffering from mesothelioma, a rare terminal cancer that typically affects the lining of the lungs. "Jennifer treats her clients as she would her own family members suffering from a debilitating disease, with the utmost compassion, care, and respect," explained Patrick Bartels, Co-Managing Member of Keefe Bartels.

Outside of Keefe Bartels, Jennifer Harwood serves in several pro bono and charitable capacities, including Mesothelioma Ambassador for the Mesothelioma Applied Research Foundation. As an Ambassador, she strives to raise awareness about mesothelioma and to educate elected officials about the devastating disease. In the past, this mother of two has also served as a Hudson County Court Appointed Special Advocate, advocating for abused and neglected children in the foster care system.

"To be recognized for doing a job that I am so passionate about is especially gratifying and this award has further strengthened my desire to continue fighting for the rights of the injured." said Jennifer Harwood. "Thank you to the New Jersey Law Journal for this incredible honor of 2013 New Leader of the Bar and to Patrick J. Bartels, Esq. for his kind nomination."

Jennifer Harwood received her Bachelor's degree from Rutgers University in 1997 and her Juris Doctor degree from Seton Hall University School of Law in 2001. Since then, Ms. Harwood has been consistently recognized by her peers as a New Jersey Super Lawyers Rising Star for the past seven years, and she was selected by the National Trial Lawyers Association as a "Top 40 Under 40" attorney in New Jersey in 2012.