Lloyd Freeman is a Partner and Chief Diversity Officer at the firm. Lloyd concentrates his practice in the area of commercial and complex civil litigation in state and federal courts in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. He has represented clients in trials, arbitration and mediation in both states.
Lloyd has experience in commercial and complex matters involving consumer fraud, real property, franchise, business torts and other issues related to business and contractual disputes. Lloyd has also litigated a number of disputes involving merchants and the sale of goods governed by Article 2 of the Uniform Commercial Code (“UCC”).
A member of Archer Discovery Strategies – the firm’s practice group dedicated to eDiscovery litigation and document management practices – Lloyd has extensive experience managing electronic discovery in complex state and federal matters. In the fall, Lloyd teaches e-discovery and digital evidence to upper-level students at Drexel University’s Kline School of Law in Philadelphia, PA.
As Chief Diversity Officer, Lloyd carries out the firm’s vision to grow diversity and inclusion in the legal profession, as well as implements policies and procedures, and fosters programs to promote diversity throughout the firm. He does this by promoting diversity and inclusion in the recruitment, hiring, retention and promotion of Archer attorneys, which includes maintaining an ex-officio position on the Personnel and Hiring Committees while serving as Chairman of the Diversity & Inclusion Committee. Most recently, Lloyd planned and hosted the firm’s first diversity retreat featuring two days of workshops on unconscious bias, cultural competencies, inclusive practices and emotional intelligence. In addition, he develops and nurtures key partnerships to drive strategic diversity and inclusion marketing, as well as business development initiatives. Accordingly, Lloyd serves as a trusted advisor to firm executive management and the Office of the President.
A longtime champion of diversity and inclusion in the profession and at Archer, Freeman created Archer’s affinity group, L.E.A.D. (Lawyers Encouraging Archer’s Diversity) in 2012 and coordinated the firm’s summer associate program for the past three years, resulting in the most diverse summer associate classes in the firm’s history. Freeman himself was a summer associate at Archer and also received an Archer diversity scholarship while in law school. He is the first person of color to rise through the ranks from summer associate to partnership status.
Outside of the firm, Lloyd served as president of the Garden State Bar Association and has written articles and spoken at conferences on the importance of diversity and inclusion. Lloyd has used his influence as a social justice advocate in the cannabis space as well. He has spoken at press conferences with the governor, met with state leaders and written pieces urging the decriminalization of marijuana in New Jersey.
Prior to joining the firm, Lloyd served as an intern to the Honorable Jerome B. Simandle, S.U.S.D.J, and as an extern to the Honorable Joseph E. Irenas, S.U.S.D.J., both of the District of New Jersey.
Representative Experience
Served as outside counsel to perform an internal review of a local police department’s policies and procedures relating to bias, diversity, use of force, training, recruitment and community relations.
Served as lead counsel in a multi-million dollar commercial contract and fraud dispute on behalf of a regional construction company.
Defended an educational provider against breach of contract and fraud claims resulting in Pennsylvania special education students receiving supplemental instruction.
Litigated actions in chancery court seeking temporary restraining orders and preliminary injunctions involving claims for commercial disparagement, breach of fiduciary duty and disputes among members of limited liability companies.
Drafted and managed electronic discovery protocols for complex matters in federal and state court.
Defended a myriad of lawsuits involving tort claims against public transportation entities.
Represented a number of property owners in breach of contract suits.
Participated in a six-month federal court trial defending a Fortune 500 company from claims involving tortious interference, unfair competition, misappropriation of trade secrets and violations of antitrust laws.
Defended a Fortune 100 company against negligence claims and successfully brought contractual cross-claims of indemnification and contribution for the client.
Challenged the constitutionality of regulations vitiating prior practice of awarding state contracts to small and medium-sized businesses.
Professional and Community Involvement
New Jersey State Bar Association Commission on Racial Equity in the Law
Garden State Bar Association (Past President)
Big Brothers Big Sisters Independence Region (Board Chairman)
Drexel University Kline School of Law (Board Member)
American Red Cross of Burlington, Camden & Gloucester Counties (Past Board Member)
Rutgers Law School Alumni Association (Former Chancellor)
Public Interest Law Center (Past Board Member)
Urban League of Philadelphia—Young Professionals (Past Membership Chairman)
Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc. (Past President, Burlington-Camden Alumni Chapter)
Burlington Camden Achievement Foundation (Chairman)
Rutgers Pro Bono/Public Interest Advisory Committee (Past Member)
Camden County Bar Association (Member)
New Jersey State Bar Association (Member)
Association of the Federal Bar of NJ (Member)
New Jersey Supreme Court Civil Practice Committee (Past Member)
Awards and Recognition
NJBIZ 40 Under 40 (2020)
Diverse Attorney of the Year, New Jersey Law Journal (2019)
Minority Business Leader Award, Philadelphia Business Journal (2019)
Humanitarian Award, National Bar Association (2019)
Trailblazer Award, New Leaders Council-NJ (2019)
Lawyers of Color Nation’s Best List (2019)
Champion of Diversity Award, Drexel Black Law Students Association (2019)
Community Leadership Award, Urban Affairs Coalition (2019)
National Bar Association 40 Under 40 Nation’s Best Advocates (2018)
Savoy Magazine Most Influential Black Lawyers in America (2018)
Halo Award, South Jersey Young Professionals Association (2018)
Bringing It Beyond Award, Association of Black Law Students (2018)
South Jersey Biz Magazine 20 Under 40 (2017)
Visionary Leader Award, Camden County East NAACP (2017)
Young Professional of the Year Award, Non Profit Development Center of Southern New Jersey (2017)
Outstanding Director Award, Philadelphia Business Journal (2017)
Champions of Social Justice and Equality Award, Rutgers Black Law Students Association (2016)
Garden State Bar Association Young Lawyer Award (2015)
New Jersey Law Journal New Leaders of the Bar (2015)
National Black Lawyers – Top 100 List (2015)
Named to the New Jersey Super Lawyers List as a “Rising Star” for Business Litigation (2015)
Kansas City Public Schools “Reasons to Believe” Alumni Honor Roll (2014)
Philadelphia Business Journal 40 Under 40 (2014)
Community Leader Award, LEAP Academy (2013)
Recent Graduate Award, Rutgers University School of Law (2012)
Rutgers University Excellence in Alumni Leadership Award (2011)
Young Business Leader Award, Howard University School of Business (2010)
Young Lawyer of the Year, New Jersey State Bar Association (2010)
South Jersey Magazine “Names to Know in South Jersey” (2010)
Craig M. Perry Community Service Award, Philadelphia Bar Association – Young Lawyers Division (2010)
Young Urban Leader Award, Urban League of Philadelphia (2008)
Mary Philbrook Public Interest Award, Rutgers University School of Law (2007)
Articles and Presentations
Panelist, “The Good, the Bad and the Frivolous: Asserting Objections to Discovery Requests, Winning Discovery Disputes and Pleading Defenses” (Association of Federal Bar of New Jersey, May 2019)
Panelist, “Building a Personal Board of Directors and Getting the Most out of a Mentoring Relationship” (Leadership Institute for Women of Color Attorneys, March 2019)
Author, New Jersey’s Budding Industry Poses Questions for Businesses, (Cannabis Law Report, July 21, 2018)
Speaker, “CTRL + ALT + DELETE: Controlling Your Costs and Altering Your Document Retention Policies Before Deleting Data” (Ragone Accounting Conference, May 2018)
Speaker, “The Nuts and Bolts of Electronic Evidence,” (New Jersey State Bar Association, April 2018)
Panelist, “To Litigate or Arbitrate: Practical Considerations for Corporations,” (New Jersey State Bar Association, January 2018)
Panelist, “The Art and Science of Relating and Communicating,” (New Jersey State Bar Association, August 2017)
Panelist, “Board Recruiting and Engagement” (Independence Blue Cross Foundation, June 2017)
Panelist, “Business Litigation Roundtable: Current Issues in Business Litigation” (NJICLE, June 2017)
Panelist, “Philanthropy and Board Engagement in 2017” (Virtua Foundation, March 2017)
Speaker, “Social Media and the Law” (University of Pennsylvania Sadie Alexander Conference, February 2017)
Moderator, “Philanthropy 360: GlenTalks, The Art of Storytelling” (Glenmede, November 2016)
Moderator, “Know Your Rights Town Hall Meeting” (Garden State Bar Association, October 2016)
Panelist, “2016 Court Rules Update” (New Jersey Supreme Court Civil Practice Committee, September 2016)
Panelist, “Bridging the Gap: NPO Succession Planning” (The Nonprofit Development Center of Southern New Jersey, June 2016)
Panelist, “Lessons from the Leaders: Practical Advice on Success in the Ever-Changing Legal Profession” (New Jersey State Bar Association, May 2016)
Presenter, “Litigating Claims Between Members of New Jersey Limited Liability Companies” (Burlington County Bar Association, December 2015)
Moderator, “Defeating the Preschool to Prison Pipeline: Identifying and Combating Institutional Disparities” (Garden State Bar Association, September 2015)
Presenter, “The Profitable Non-profit” (FrontStream Philanthropy Solutions Conference, June 2015)
Moderator, “The State of Black New Jersey” (African American Chamber of Commerce, April 2015)
Moderator, “Philanthropy 360: Impact All Around” (Glenmede seminar, March 2015)
Speaker, “Trends in Legal Diversity” (Essex County Bar Association, March 2015)
Moderator, “Building Your Personal Brand” (Barristers Association of Philadelphia, March 2015)
Video: Comcast Newsmakers interview regarding the impact of mentors on the academic success of students (February 2015)
Moderator, “Know Your Rights” (CLE panel, February 2015)
Moderator, “Managing Nonprofits in the Changing 21st Century” (CLE seminar, November 2014)
Video: Comcast Newsmakers interview regarding Big Brothers Big Sisters of Burlington, Camden & Gloucester Counties. (October 8, 2014)
Moderator, United States Congressional Debate for New Jersey’s First District (May 2014).
Video: Comcast Newsmakers interview regarding importance of mentoring and impact of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Burlington, Camden, and Gloucester Counties. (May 7, 2014)
Panelist, “Personal Branding: Developing a Professional Identity” (Rutgers University School of Law, March 2014)
Moderator, “Diversity in the Justice System” (CLE seminar, hosted by Archer and the Garden State Bar Association, February 2014)
Video: Television appearance as a guest on “It’s Your Call with Lynn Doyle” discussing the topic: 60 Years After Brown v. Board of Education (February 16, 2014)
Video: Television appearance as a guest on “It’s Your Call with Lynn Doyle” discussing the topic: What Would Dr. King Say? (January 19, 2014)
Video: Comcast Newsmakers interview regarding Big Brothers Big Sisters of Burlington, Camden and Gloucester Counties. (August 21, 2013)
Moderator, “The Business Case for Diversity” (In-house CLE seminar, hosted by Archer, March 2013)
Panelist, “Advancing Your Professional Growth While Being a Legal Advocate in the Community” (University of Pennsylvania Sadie Alexander Conference, February 2011)
Speaker, “Electronic Discovery and the Extent of an Organization’s Ownership and Control over its Employees’ Use of Company Computers” (In-house CLE hosted by Archer, November 2011)
Author, Creating a Win-Win Situation: New J.D.s Need to Gain Experience, Pro Bono Clinics Need Volunteers, (The Legal Intelligencer, May 25, 2010)