Gibbons Diversity Initiative Presents Second "Trendsetter" Award

The Gibbons Diversity Initiative (GDI), an award-winning corporate initiative promoting diversity and inclusion in the workplace, has presented its second quarterly Trendsetter Award to Julien X. Neals, Business Administrator for the City of Newark.

Through the Trendsetter Award, Gibbons and GDI honor individuals who embody leadership and vision with regard to workplace diversity. In his role as Business Administrator, a position he has held since 2010, Mr. Neals is responsible for overseeing the daily operations of the City of Newark and its ten municipal departments, along with preparing the City’s Budget.

Mr. Neals previously served as Corporation Counsel for the City of Newark from 2008-2010, managing the City’s Department of Law and its staff of 45 full-time attorneys. He also served from 2006-2008 as Chief Judge of the Newark Municipal Court. He was responsible for overseeing 11 full-time judges, all daily Court operations, and a support staff of more than 100. His professional affiliations include Association of the Federal Bar, New Jersey State Bar Association, New York State Bar Association, Essex County Bar Association, and Hudson County Bar Association.

GDI presents its Trendsetter Award at each of its quarterly diversity meetings. All firm attorneys are invited to these meetings, which feature some of the most eminent voices on corporate and supplier diversity, renowned thought leaders who are purchasing executives, diversity officers, and other leaders from throughout corporate America and key associations focused on diversity issues. Recognizing the most vital, current thought leadership is critical to the development and effective messaging of GDI’s own thought leadership.