Scarinci Hollenbeck Awards Inaugural Theodore A. Schwartz Scholarship for Environmental Law

Scarinci Hollenbeck Congratulates Theodore A. Schwartz Scholarship Recipient Adrienne Aiken

Little Falls, NJ — July 21, 2025 — Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC established the Theodore A. Schwartz Scholarship for Environmental Law to recognize the contributions of retired partner Theodore “Ted” Schwartz and support the next generation of environmental lawyers. Adrienne Aiken, the recipient of the 2025 inaugural scholarship, will receive $2,500 to support her continued legal education.

Ted retired from Scarinci Hollenbeck earlier this year after nearly 60 years of practice. The firm presented the scholarship to him as a retirement gift and to honor his legacy as a pioneer in New Jersey environmental law. The New Jersey State Bar Foundation invited Ted to serve on its selection committee, and he played an integral part in selecting the right candidate.

The Theodore A. Schwartz Scholarship is awarded to a student who demonstrates commitment to environmental law. This year’s recipient, Adrienne Aiken, has dedicated her career to addressing the systemic inequities of climate change. Ms. Aiken currently attends Rutgers Law School while working as a Program Specialist in the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection.

Scarinci Hollenbeck applauds Ms. Aiken commitment to using environmental law as a tool to advance climate justice and international accountability. The firm hopes this scholarship will help her complete the upcoming semester with less financial stress.

“I am deeply honored to receive the Theodore A. Schwartz Scholarship for Environmental Law. Like many evening law students, I have to work to support my legal education. This award eases the financial burden of law school and also supports my commitment to promoting climate justice and advancing the fundamental human right to a clean, healthy and sustainable environment,” said Ms. Aiken. “Thank you to the New Jersey State Bar Foundation for investing in the next generation of environmental advocates.”

Scarinci Hollenbeck plans to award the scholarship indefinitely. Submission information is available here: https://njsbf.org/about-njsbf/opportunities-for-funding/law-school-scholarship-program/

About Theodore Schwartz

During more than five decades of legal service, Mr. Schwartz established himself as a pioneer in the field of Environmental Law with various achievements to his name. From 1965 to 1970, he was Deputy Attorney General for the State of New Jersey, where he acted as Chief of the Attorney General’s Task Force on Pollution. During this time, he authored numerous environmental laws and regulations, including the New Jersey Pollution Control Act, which became a national model for environmental regulation.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Schwartz spearheaded the creation of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection (NJDEP) as well as the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (NYSDEC). Throughout his career, Mr. Schwartz has handled numerous landmark cases in the areas of air pollution, site remediation, water pollution, water supply and solid waste. Most notably among these cases was when Mr. Schwartz successfully brought an action against all major airlines using Newark airport to replace their jet engines with smokeless jet engines. This action sparked a national response and as a result, other states began to follow suit in prompting airlines to replace their jet engines.

Learn more about Scarinci Hollenbeck’s Environmental Law Practice: https://scarincihollenbeck.com/practices/environmental