September 11, 2006 - Stephanie R. Bush-Baskette, Esq., Ph.D. is bringing an extensive background in community advocacy and economic development to Florio Perrucci Steinhardt & Fader, L.L.C. in its Rochelle Park, N.J., office.

While working with the firm as Of Counsel, Dr. Bush-Baskette will retain her position of director of the Joseph C. Cornwall Center for Metropolitan Studies at Rutgers University, Newark, N.J. The center advances analysis and research of complex issues facing urban areas.

"Stephanie's exceptional understanding of public policy formation and its impact on New Jersey's citizens is a strategic asset to the firm and its clients," said Governor James J. Florio, one of the founding partners of the firm. "Her thorough understanding of the challenges and opportunities facing urban centers is critical to our work with the redevelopment of Newark and other municipalities facing profound change."

Dr. Bush-Baskette has nearly 30 years of public policy and legal advocacy experience, focused primarily on urban affairs. She is also a former member of the New Jersey General Assembly, having been elected to three consecutive two-year terms representing the 27th Legislative District, before resigning to become a member of Governor James Florio's Cabinet as Commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs.

Her career in New Jersey has included representing the City of East Orange as both a municipal attorney and corporation counsel; chair of the Hackensack Meadowlands Development Commission, and president and founder of The Sojourn Institute, Inc., which advances social justice through research, training, technical assistance and government relations. In addition to her role at Rutgers' Cornwall Center, Dr. Bush-Baskette is also an affiliated faculty member at the university in criminal justice, political science and public administration.

Outside of New Jersey, Dr. Bush-Baskette has served as the director, juvenile justice role model development program, at Florida State University and as a professor of criminal justice. In addition, she was a member of the Florida Commission on Government Accountability to the People, which is administered through the office of the Governor of Florida. She also worked nationwide with the National Council on Crime and Delinquency as senior researcher and director of government relations.

Widely published, Dr. Bush-Baskette has authored articles and chapters on women's issue, including the relationship of women to the judicial system. In addition, she is currently working on a book, "The War on Drugs and the Incarceration of Black Women," based on her research and conclusions formed for her doctoral degree. In addition, Dr. Bush-Baskette has lectured extensively throughout the country on public policy, judicial justice and issues affecting women and African Americans.

She holds a bachelor of arts degree from Cornell University, a Juris Doctorate from American University's Washington College of Law and a Doctorate from Rutgers University's Graduate School of Criminal Justice. Her dissertation was entitled The War on Drugs and Black Females: Testing the Impact of the Sentencing Policies for Crack Cocaine on Black Females in the Federal System.

Florio Perrucci Steinhardt & Fader, L.L.C. was founded by Governor James J. Florio who has extensive environmental and legislative experience and Michael J. Perrucci who is one of the Mid-Atlantic region's leading litigators. Douglas J. Steinhardt joined the firm as a named partner in August 2005, and Paul T. Fader joined as a named partner in January 2006. The firm has practice specialties in municipal issues, real estate, labor and employment, environmental, litigation and insurance defense, government and regulatory affairs, construction and public contracting, and family law.