Chasing Justice and Butterflies
Congratulations to Ed Barocas, son of Ellen and former Sephardic Jewish Brotherhood President Irving Barocas, on the publication of his inspiring memoir, Chasing Justice and Butterflies: A Memoir of Overcoming and Becoming (Archway Publishing). The book is the portrait of a person who refused to let physical limitations define the boundaries of his life.
Born with FSHD muscular dystrophy and using a wheelchair by his early 30s, Ed tells the intertwined story of disability, landmark legal battles, creativity, friendship, and relentless optimism. With an unconventional approach and attitude, he became a prominent constitutional rights attorney involved in many of the most significant legal issues of the last few decades, and built an impactful life overflowing with music, outrageous adventure, spirituality, and joy.
“It would be wonderful if this book helps inspire people, not just those with disabilities, but anyone, to face the obstacles in their life with hope, humor, and positivity,” Ed explained.
Ed served as legal director of the American Civil Liberties Union of New Jersey for almost two decades, and supervised hundreds of major constitutional cases involving free speech, police practices, religious freedom, and post‑9/11 government secrecy. They included New Jersey’s most high-profile cases on racial profiling, government funding to religious schools, secret detention of immigrants, searches of homes or cars without warrants, and the right to film police officers, among others. He appeared on 60 Minutes, CNN, and numerous local news channels, and was quoted extensively in the New York Times, Philadelphia Inquirer, and every major New Jersey newspaper. In 2019, he was named the New Jersey Law Journal’s Attorney of the Year. The book provides informative and often amusing backstories of many of his cases.
In addition to being an attorney, Ed wrote and performed comedy songs with members of famous rock bands; developed a personal religious theology now incorporated into practice; and traveled the country collecting amazing stories.
The book also highlights Ed's Sephardic background. He discusses the Ladino language, memories of devouring his grandmother’s Spanish rice, and how holidays are still filled not only with all of his uncles, aunts, and cousins but also with borekas, bolemas, filas, and tarama.
According to noted free speech attorney and New Jersey Law Journal Board Member Bruce Rosen, “This book is an inspiration: all at once a time capsule, a very personal revelation of living with both high stress and personal travails, yet a warm and wonderful journey through an amazing life. I could not recommend it more highly!”
The book is available with free shipping at the publisher's website archwaypublishing.com, as well as at online book retailers such as Amazon and Barnes and Noble. It is available in hardcover, paperback, e-book, and Kindle formats.
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