Rutgers Law Professor J.C. Lore is the inaugural recipient of the Jo Ann Harris Public Service Award from the National Institute of Trial Advocacy (NITA). This award recognizes faculty members who demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching and supporting public service programs, which are designed to improve the skills of lawyers who help underserved communities. NITA made the announcement on December 1.

“Being recognized by NITA, which has been such an integral part of my life and career, is an incredible honor,” Prof. Lore said. “NITA has given me so much throughout the years and it is hard to imagine my life without it. It has opened up doors to places I never thought imaginale and allowed me to have a professional career full of love and passion.”

Prof. Lore is the Director of Trial Advocacy at Rutgers Law in Camden and the co-author of one of the country’s leading books on trial advocacy. He has won numerous teaching awards, including professor of the year and the Chancellor’s Award for Teaching Excellence. He also teaches for NITA and trains law students and attorneys nationally and internationally. This past summer, he trained prisoners and prison staff in Kenya to be paralegals and lawyers through the Justice Defenders program.

“J.C. truly embodies what this award is intended to recognize,” said Wendy McCormack, NITA’s executive director. “He selflessly serves as program director and faculty in a variety of public interest programs throughout the year. He never rests when it comes to tailoring the program to fit the needs of the specific community it is designed to serve.” 

According to NITA, the award was named for Jo Ann Harris, a longstanding NITA Board of Trustees member who was dedicated to supporting and helping lawyers and advocates working in public service. She was especially devoted to providing programming in tribal communities and was instrumental in the creation of NITA’s Tribal Court Project.