Prol named champion of Pride

SPARTA — Thomas H. Prol, a partner at Laddey Clark & Ryan’s whose practice focuses on environmental law, was named a 2018 Champion of Pride by the Advocate, a national publication that bills itself as the “leading source for up-to-date and extensive LGBT news.”
The publication selected one individual from each state of the union to recognize as its Champions of Pride; Prol was selected to represent New Jersey.
Prol, who is openly gay, recently completed his term as the President of the New Jersey State Bar Association. During his tenure, he spearheaded efforts to ratify the long-delayed Equal Rights Amendment to the Constitution and advanced other efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in the legal system. For over a decade, Prol has been a vocal advocate on civil rights issues, and was a prominent voice pushing for marriage equality in New Jersey, as well as the state’s anti-bullying legislation. He serves as a member of the board of Garden State Equality, New Jersey’s leading LGBT rights organization.
“Being a champion means advocating for what is right, just and fair, no matter how unpopular," Prol said. "Everyone gets 70 or so years on this ball of dirt and water, flying around a big fall of fire in the sky. I think a champion is the person who uses that time to take up the mantle of empathy, compassion and respect to make the world a better place than when they got here.”