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ADVOCATE The Middlesex County Bar Association Monthly Newsletter
May 2020 · Volume 34, Number 9
The Middlesex
Upcoming Events
106th Annual Installation Dinner The Park Chateau, East Brunswick
Wednesday, August 26th
See page 9 for details
Annual Golf Outing Cherry Valley Country Club Monday, October 5th (See page 11 for details) 15th Annual Practice Area
Awards Dinner Thursday, October 22nd
(See page for 13 details)
What’s Inside
Calendar of Events………….... 2
Test Your Legal Writing Skills with
This Short Quiz
by Hon. Robert Jones, Jr. …… .. 3
The “Virtual” Freelance Paralegal
by Melissa Acosta ……………… 5
Opportunities on the Internet That
Will Benefit Your Business …… 7
Bar Foundation Announces
New Family Court
Mini‐Library Program ………… 8
DearMembers: Thepastmonthhasbeenanextremelydiffi‐culttimeforallofusin
manydifferentways.Wehavehadtoad‐justtoournewnormal,changingthewaywepracticelaw,changingthewaywecommunicate,allthewhiletryingtobeproductiveandstaypositive. Asalways,theMCBAisheretoansweranyquestions,provideinformationandassistance.ManyCLE’shavebeenofferedonissuesrelatingtothepracticeduringthesocialdistancingrequirementsinclud‐ingtechnologyandtheCARESAct,amongothers.Programsoncybersecurityandvirtualproceedingsincriminalmattersandcivilmattersarejustafewthatareonthecalendar.TheMCBAwebsitecontainsalistingoftheprogramscomingup,alltheCourtnoticesaswellasotherimportantinformation. ItishardformetobelievethatIwritethismessageasmylastasPresidentoftheMCBA.Exceptforthelast6weeks,theyearhasflownby.IsaidlastyearthatIwashumbledtobecomethe105thPresi‐dentoftheMCBAandIrepeatthatstate‐menttoday.Iamappreciativeoftheop‐portunityIhadtoserveasPresident. IwouldberemissifIdidnotthankanumberofpeople.Theofficestaff,Jona‐thanCowlesandElaineMiller,arewithoutequal.TheytrulyhelptheMCBArealizetheoutstandingaccomplishmentsweachieveandtheservicesweprovidetoourprofession,thejudiciaryandthecommu‐nity.InmyopiniontheMCBAisthepre‐eminentbarassociationintheState.IalsowanttothanktheExecutiveCommittee
andTrusteesfortheirunwaveringsupport,kindwordsandguidancethroughouttheyear.Wetrulyworkasateam. TheMCBAwillhavethecapableguid‐anceandwillbeinthegoodhandsofin‐comingPresidentEugeneWishnicforthecomingyear.Iwishhimmuchluck.IknowthattheMCBAwillbenefitbyhisguidance,leadershipandwisdom. ThesedifficulttimesserveasareminderofhowappreciativeweareforeachotherandforourrelationshipsattheMCBA.Wereachouttoeachotherforadvice,tocom‐plainandsometimesjustfornoreasonbuttohearafamiliarvoice.Wearereallyalargefamilyandarenotaloneinthestrug‐gleswefacedaily.IinviteyoutocontacttheMCBAofficeormyselfwithanyques‐tions,concernsorforthatmatter,anyrea‐son. ThenextfewmonthsandyearwillbedifficultforusindividuallyaswellastheMCBA.TheMCBAwillsurviveandtherela‐tionshipswehaveandcommitmenttotheassociationwillthrive.Wewillstaydedi‐catedtoourprofessionandourcommu‐nity.Inthecomingmonthandmonthswewillneedtoevaluatewherewecanhelpourprofessionandourcommunityasaresultofthedevastatingtimeswehavefaced.Iamconfidentthatwecanuniteinprovidingassistanceandguidanceforourmembersandthecommunity.Nowmorethaneverwewillbecalledupontohelp.Weneedtoanswerthatcall. AsIsaidlastmonth,Ilookforwardtothedaywhenwedonothavetosocialdis‐tanceandwhenwecanappropriatelyandsafelygreeteachotherinperson. Thankyouforthepastyear.Staywell.
MCBA
The Middlesex County Bar Association 87 Bayard Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 ♦ www.mcbalaw.com ♦ 732.828.3433
Message from the President . . . By Daria Venezia, Esq.
The Middlesex Advocate 87 Bayard Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Phone: (732) 828-3433
Fax: (732) 828-5862 www.mcbalaw.com
Newsletter Editor Edward Testino, Esq.
Letters to the Editor We welcome letters from MCBA members responding to recent articles or to events or issues of general concern to the bar. Commentary Articles Bar members are invited to submit “op-ed” articles, not longer than 750 words, which take affirmative or negative positions on matters of interest to the bar. Practice-Oriented Articles We welcome the submission of substantive law articles, to be limited to 2,000 words or less. News About People & Firms MCBA members are invited to submit announcements and photographs of new firms, new hires, promotions, awards, celebrations and other noteworthy events. Obituaries Obituaries about Middlesex County lawyers may be submitted and should be 300 words or less. Content Review/Proofreading Provided by Linda Lashbrook, Esq. since 1995. Materials submitted for publication should be sent to [email protected] and may be edited for style or abridged due to space limits. Photographs must be submitted electronically in jpg or png formats.
Cal
enda
r
Page 2 — May 2020 — The Middlesex Advocate
The MCBA is an approved provider of continuing legal education in NJ and all CLE programs listed above will meet the requirements of the
BCLE of the Supreme Court of NJ. All events will be held at the MCBA Office, 87 Bayard Street in New Brunswick unless otherwise indicated.
To RSVP go to www.mcbalaw.com or call 732.828.3433, ext. 102.
Calendar of Events May1–Friday@12:00p.m.‐WebcastCRIMINALPRACTICECLE(2Credits/1Ethics)VirtualProceedingsinCriminalCourt:Practical,Legal&EthicalConsiderations.Speakers:DarrenGelber,Esq.;APJoiePiderit;JosephBenedict,Esq.;andAPBinaDesai.Cost:$10‐LawClerks;$20‐YoungLawyers;$25‐MCBAMembers;and$50‐AllOthers.May5–Tuesday@12:00p.m.‐WebcastETHICSCLE(1.5Credits)–ADiscussionontheAttor‐neyEthicsSystem.Speakers:BarryMuller,Esq.;PhilipNettl,Esq.;andDavidGreenfield,Esq..Cost:$10‐LawClerks;$15‐YoungLawyers;$20‐MCBAMem‐bers;and$40‐AllOthers.May6–Wednesday@12:00p.m.‐WebcastMUNICIPALCOURTPRACTICECLE(1.5Credits)–FieldSobrietyTesting.Speaker:PeterLederman,Esq.Cost:$10‐LawClerks;$15‐YoungLawyers;$20‐MCBAMembers;and$40‐AllOthers.May7–Thursday@10:00a.m.‐WebcastCIVILPRACTICECLE(1.5Credits)–VirtualProceed‐ingsinCivilCourtandtheLatestDevelopmentsfromtheJudiciary.Co‐sponsoredbytheMiddlesexCountyTrialLawyersAssociation.Speakers:Hon.JamieHap‐pas,PJCV;MichaelOtrimski,ITManager;andKennethHarrell,Esq.Cost:Free‐NoCLECredit;$10‐CLECredit.May7–Thursday@12:00p.m.‐WebcastIMMIGRATIONLAWCLE(1.5Credits)–TVPRAAsy‐lumHearings.Speakers:ArielaHerzog,Esq.;MichaelAllongo,Esq.;andOlgaCastro,Esq.Cost:$10‐LawClerks;$15‐YoungLawyers;$20‐MCBAMembers;and$40‐AllOthers.May8–Friday@12:00p.m.‐WebcastETHICSCLE(1.5Credits)–MalpracticeUpdate:Car‐rierConcerns,Coverages,SwitchingPractice.Speak‐ers:RobertHille,Esq.andGaryPinckney,Esq.Cost:$10‐LawClerks;$15‐YoungLawyers;$20‐MCBAMembers;and$40‐AllOthers.May13–Wednesday@9:00a.m.ELDERLAWCOMMITTEEVIRTUALMEETING‐TheCommitteewilldiscusscurrentpracticerelatedissuesandCLEprogramideasforthecomingyear.Thereisnocosttoattend.ToRSVPandgetalinktothemeet‐[email protected]–Wednesday@12:00p.m.‐WebcastREALESTATECLE(1.5Credits)–RealEstateClos‐ings.Speaker:AdamElias,Esq.,Elias&Gonzalez,PerthAmboy.Cost:$10‐LawClerks;$15‐YoungLaw‐yers;$20‐MCBAMembers;and$40‐AllOthers.
May14–Thursday@9:00a.m.BOARDOFTRUSTEESMEETING–BarMembersarewelcometoattendviawebcast.ToRSVPpleasesendemailtojcowles@mcbalaw.cominadvance.May19–Tuesday@11:00a.m.–WebcastCRIMINALPRACTICECLE(1Credit)–EnhancedOut‐come‐BasedProbation:ModernizingtheSupervisionofProbationersinNJ.Speakers:GregLambard,TCA;SonjaAsante,ChiefProbationOfficer;andSandraErik,AsstChiefProbationOfficer.Cost:FREE‐NoCLEcredit;$10‐CLEcredit.May26–Tuesday@8:00a.m.TAXATIONCOMMITTEESEMINAR(1.5Credits)‐LawOfficesofGreenberg&Schulman,90WoodbridgeCenterDrive,Suite200,Woodbridge.Topic:2020HeckerlingInstituteonEstatePlanningUpdate–Part3.Speaker:RichardGreenberg,Esq.Cost:$5‐YoungLawyersand$10‐AllOthers.June2–Tuesday@12:00p.m.or5:00p.m.–Webcast1FAMILYLAWSEMINAR(1.5Credits)–MatrimonialAppellatePractice.Speakers:Hon.HanyMawla,JAD;LaurenMiceli,Esq.;andMarisaHovanec,Esq.Cost:$10‐LawClerks;$15‐YoungLawyers;$20‐MCBAMembers;and$40‐AllOthers.June3–Wednesday@4:30p.m.–Webcast2CRIMINALPRACTICESEMINAR(2Credits)–Alter‐nativestoConviction&Expungements.Speakers:Hon.RobertJones,Jr.,JSC;PhilipNettl,Esq;KeithAbrams,Esq.;andBinaDesai,Esq.Cost:$10‐LawClerks;$20‐YoungLawyers/APs/APDs;$25‐MCBAMembers;and$50‐AllOthers.June5–Friday@9:00a.m.BOARDOFTRUSTEESMEETING–BarMembersarewelcometoattendviawebcast.ToRSVPpleasesendemailtojcowles@mcbalaw.cominadvance.June23–Tuesday@8:00a.m.TAXATIONCOMMITTEESEMINAR(1.5Credits)‐LawOfficesofGreenberg&Schulman,90WoodbridgeCenterDrive,Suite200,Woodbridge.Topic:2020HeckerlingInstituteonEstatePlanningUpdate–Part4.Speaker:RichardGreenberg,Esq.Cost:$5‐YoungLawyersand$10‐AllOthers.1Ifwearestillinquarantineand/orthecourtsarenotoper‐atingatfullcapacitythenthewebcastwillstartattheearliertime.Ifthequarantinehasbeenliftedandthecourtsareopenthewebcastwillstartatthelatertime.LiveattendanceattheBarOfficewillalsobeavailable.2Ifthequarantinehasbeenliftedandthecourtsareopen
The Middlesex Advocate — May 2020 — Page 3
Withsomanyofusworkingfromhome—andgoingstir‐crazyfromseeingthesamefourwalls—Ithoughtitmightbefuntochangethingsupthismonth.Insteadofwritingabouthowtoimproveyourlegalwriting,Iputtogetherashorttake‐at‐homequiz:tennot‐so‐goodex‐
amplesoflegalwritingyoucaneasilyimproveupon.Sogetyourpencilsout,andlet’sseehowyou’dfixupthesesentences:
1. Therulingofthecourtwasinfavoroftheplaintiff.
2. Johnwashiredbythecompanypresidenttoperformacomputerrepairfunction.
3. RaymondHill,thePlaintiffherein,filedamotionforsummaryjudgment.(Note:Assumethissentenceisattheendofalongbrief.)
4. Pleasebeadvisedthatduringourtelephoniccommuni‐cationonthedateofJanuary24,2020,Imistakenlyad‐visedthatmyclientwouldbeavailableforthemeeting.
5. Defendant’scontentionsandassertionsweredirectedtoandfocusedonplaintiff’srefusaltowearanduseherseatbeltatthetimetheaccidentoccurred.
6. Inordertoprovenegligence,aplaintiffmustshowthreethings:1.)aduty,2.)abreachofthatduty,3.)thatthereweredamagescausedbythebreach.
7. RyanBulldozingCompany(hereinafter“Ryan”and/or“theCompany”)filedsuitagainsthisformercustomeronMay3,2000.RyanisacloselyheldcorporationfoundedbyArthurSamuelson(hereinafter“Samuelson”)whoalsoservesasitschiefexecutiveoffi‐cer.
8. PlaintiffTimCullenistheownerofanapartmentbuild‐ingcontainingfive(5)units.
9. Santore’swifewashitbyoneofthebulletswhileshewassittingintheapartmentconversingonhercellularcommunicationdevice.
10. ThebullethitSantore’swifeintheareaofherbodyabuttingtheheart,causedasliceinheraorta,andasaresult,fivepintsofbloodwerelost,causinghertoex‐pire.
Tobesure,there’snosingle“right”waytofixthesesen‐
tences,andsomefixesdependoncontext.Thatsaid,takealookonpage10toseehowyoumighthaveimprovedthesesentences.
Theanswerstothequizareonpage10.But,remember,
thereisnosinglecorrectanswer.Youcouldhaverewrittenthesesentencesseveralwaysandstillhavedoneanicejob.
(Continuedonpage10)
HowtoSayIt:LegalWritingThatPersuadesTestYourLegalWritingSkillsWithThisShortQuizbyHon.RobertJ.Jones,J.S.C.1
Cost:
$65 - MCBA/NJSBA/NJWLA Members
$50 - Paralegals/Legal Sec/ Non-Jud Court Staff
$35 - Law Clerks/Law Students
$95 - All Others (Cost includes cocktails , hors d’oeuvres, dinner and CLE.)
TheParalegalindustryhaschangedovertheyears.Withthechangesofmod‐erntechnologyandchangesintheecon‐omy,wehaveseenagrowingnumberofparalegalsstarttoofferIndependentCon‐tractorParalegalsservicesorFreelanceParalegalsservices.Morelawfirmsareconsideringthemanybenefitsofworkingwithafreelanceparalegalascomparedto
hiringafull‐timeparalegalfortheirpractice.However,whathap‐pensduringapandemicliketheCoronavirusPandemicwearecur‐rentlyexperiencing?Throughouttimeslikethisaservicestandsoutmorethanothersandthatisthe“Virtual”FreelanceParalegal. VirtualParalegalServicesareagrowingservicewithintheStateofNJ.Theservicesprovidedarevirtualfrominception,whentheassignmentisaccepted,throughconclusionwhentheassignmenthasbeencompleted.In2020,thevirtualparalegalworkismadepossiblethroughthevastdevelopmentandimprovementoftech‐nology.Specifically,wi‐fiaccessisessentialtoeveryvirtualcom‐pany.Inaddition,manyoftheassignmentsandmeetingswiththeattorneysaredonethroughvideochat.Thisallowstheparalegaltohavethesameface‐to‐faceconversationwiththeattorneythatwouldusuallytakeplaceinanofficesetting.Theparalegalalsohastheabilitytocontacttheattorneywithanyquestionsviae‐mail.Further,alldraftdocumentscanbesentviasecuree‐mailfortheattorney’sreviewandconsideration.Additionally,theuseofweb‐siteslikedropbox.comhaveallowedforthevirtualparalegalandattorneytosecurelyuploaddocumentsandworkvirtuallytogether.Thisprogramallowsforthecreationoffoldersandrevisionofdocu‐mentsoncetheyarecreatedbythevirtualusers.
HowmaythisallcomeinhandyduringapandemicliketheCoronavirus?Unfortunately,lawpracticeshavetomaketoughdeci‐sionsduringanoutbreakofthisnature.Manyofficeswillhaveab‐breviatedhours,alotofofficeswillbeclosed,andsomeattorneyswillbeforcedtoworkfromhome.Virtualparalegalsarepreparedatalltimestoworkfromtheirhome‐basedofficesandcanprovidethevirtualsupportthatanattorneywillneedduringsuchacrisisatamoment’snotice.Specifically,thevirtualparalegalshouldhaveafullystockedofficewithequipmentincludinghighspeedprinter,highvolumescanner,andareliabledesktopcomputerorlaptop.Thevirtualparalegalshouldalsohavesecuree‐mailandspecialtysoftwareiftheirusualareaoflawrequiressame. Somevirtualfreelanceparalegalsmaybeinhigherdemandthanothers.Forexample,attorneysinthetrustandestatesareaandinemploymentlawmaybebusierduringthecoronavirusoutbreakandmayneedvirtualparalegalassistance.Itisimportantthatthevirtualfreelanceparalegalofferassistanceinmultipleareasoflawifpossible. Theroleofavirtualfreelanceparalegalhasneverbeenmoreim‐portant.Thelegalbusinessisanimportantpartofourcommunity.AsattorneystrytohandletheCoronavirusoutbreak,itisthevirtualparalegalwhocanprovidetheassistanceandhelptheyneedtocon‐tinueprovidingtheservicetotheirclients.Astechnologycontinuestogrow,thevirtualfreelanceparalegalwillplayanevenmoreim‐portantroleinthelegalindustry.TheauthoristheownerofMelissaAcostaFreelanceParalegalServices,LLCatwww.njfreelanceparalegal.comandcanbereachedatmafreelanceparale‐[email protected](973)‐903‐7227.
The“Virtual”FreelanceParalegalbyMelissaAcosta
TAKES PLEASURE IN ANNOUNCING THE OPENING OF ITS MIDDLESEX COUNTY OFFICE AT
200 MIDDLESEX ESSEX TURNPIKE
3RD FLOOR SUITE 306 J
ISELIN, NEW JERSEY 08830
(800) 292-6640
www.mcmoranlaw.com
JANUARY 1, 2020
The Middlesex Advocate — May 2020 — Page 5
The Middlesex Advocate — May 2020 — Page 7
NEWONLINECLESERVICENOWAVAILABLE!
TheBarAssociationhasjustlaunchedit’snewonlineCLEplatformwherememberscanpurchaseMCBApro‐ducedprogramsatadiscountandwatchthem24/7.Theprogramcatalogincludesthemostrecentprogramsfromourpreviouspartnerandnewcontentproducedwithinthelastseveralmonths.Newcontentwillbeaddedassoonaspossible.Ifanyonewouldliketoconductaprograminournewconferenceroomthatcanbelivestreamedaswellasvideotapedforournewservice,pleasecontacttheBarOfficeatjcowles@mcbalaw.com.OurhopeisthatothercountybarassociationswillalsosignonwithVocalmeetsothatwecancreateanewonlineCLEplatformcalledtheNewJerseyCountyBarNetwork,withlocalprogramsfromaroundthestateconvenientlylocatedononeplatformatextremelyaf‐fordableprices.
TheInternethasbecomethecommunicationchannelofchoiceforconsumersandbusinesses.Weknowbynowithaschangedthewayconsumerscommunicateandshop.WhilenoteverybusinessneedsanInternetpresence,morebusi‐nessesareusingwebsitesandsocialmediachannelsasanintegralpartofhowtheydobusiness.ThisarticleismeanttoprovideideastoconsiderforneworenhancedInternetandsocialmediapresence.
WhatAreYouTryingtoAccomplish?
Mostbusinesswebsitesfallintooneoffourcategories: Basicinformationaboutyourbusiness Informationonyourproductsorservices Electroniccommerce Communicationchannel(email).
OneoftheattractiveaspectsoftheInternetistheease
withwhichchangescanbemade.Assuch,manybusinessesareregularlymodifyingtheirwebsitesastheyfindoutwhatworksandwhatdoesn’twork.Ifyouareconsideringestab‐lishingawebsite,rememberthatyouwillprobablywanttochangeitoften.Ifyoualreadyhaveasite,don’tforgettoevaluateitperiodicallyandupdateitasthemarketoryourbusinesschanges.
BasicInformation
Besuretoincludecontactinformationaboutyourbusi‐ness.Thisshouldincludemakingiteasytofindphonenum‐bers,addressesandinformationontheprincipalsofthebusi‐ness.AneasywaytostartthisiswithaFacebookpage.
KnowWhatPlatformsareBestforYouandYourBusiness
Itisimportanttounderstandthedifferencesbetweenyourwebpage,LinkedIn,Twitter,Facebook,Instagram,etc.Therearesomeplatforms,likeTwitter,wherefewwordsareneededtogetyourpointacross,whileLinkedInisusedformoreofa“makingconnections”basis.Beawareofwhotheaudiencesareoneachplatform.Ifyouarelookingtoreachmillennials,youmaywanttofocusonInstagramratherthanFacebook.Continuetoresearchalloftheplatformsastheyarealwaysevolvingandchanging.
WhatDoYouHavetoOffer?
Phonecallsareoldnews.Enablingacustomerorpros‐pecttolearnaboutyourproductsviayourwebsitesavestime.MostproductdescriptionsontheInternetarerela‐tivelybasic.Theydon’thavetoincludeeverythingyouwouldnormallyincludeinanactualpresentation.Avisitorshouldbeabletodetermineiftheproductorserviceislikelytomeethisorherneeds.
CommunicationChannel
Yourwebsitewillgenerateleadseffectivelybyincludinga“ContactUs”section.Thekeyistofollow‐upquicklyontheseleads.Includingan“EmailUs”sectionisalsohighlyadvisable,orevenachatbox.Visitorsoftenusethesefunc‐
tionstoprovideinformation,requestcalls,orsimplytocom‐municate.Besuretocheckyourincomingemailfrequently.AttractingVisitors
Besuretoincludeyourwebsiteaddress,andsocialme‐diahandlesonallofyourmarketingmaterials.Thisincludesbusinesscards,salesliteratureandotheradvertising.An‐otherwaytoattractvisitorsisthroughlistingsinonlinedi‐rectories.Manytradeassociationsandcommercialentitiesofferdirectories.Sometimestheyareevenfreeofchargeforbasiclistings.Besuretobeincludedindirectoriesthatyourcustomersandprospectsaremostlikelytouse.Forwebsitesaimedatconsumers,yourwebsitedesignermaybeabletousespecialmeta‐tagstomakeyoursitemorelikelytobeshowninvarioussearchengines.
WebDesignandHosting
Thisisoftenthemostintimidatingpartoftheprocessforthoseconsideringestablishingawebsite.Usinganoutsideservicetocreate,manageandhostyoursiteprobablymakessensewhenyoufirststart.YoucanfindmanysuchservicesbyjustaskingothersorbysearchingtheInternet.Asyougetmorecomfortablewiththeentireonlineprocess,youmaywanttotakeoverthemanagingofyoursite.
WhilebuildinganInternetpresencecanbeabitover‐whelming,therearemanytoolsandresourcestoguideyoualongtheway.Doyourresearchandunderstandwhatplat‐formsarebestforyouandyourbusiness.
OpportunitiesontheInternetThatWillBenefitYourBusinessfromProvidentBank
Page 8 — May 2020 — The Middlesex Advocate
THE MIDDLESEX COUNTY BAR FOUNDATION INVITES YOU TO PARTICIPATE AND SUPPORT OUR FIRST
MIDDLESEX COUNTY COURT HOUSE MINI-LIBRARY PROJECT
Dear Colleagues: Please help us make a success of our Mini-Library Project. The goal is to share with the Middlesex County community at large access to gently used books. We need children’s books for all ages in English, Spanish or any other language that you may have at home - coloring books, story books, chapter books, tweens books, non-fiction books, biography books - any children’s books that you may already have at home which your own children have outgrown or already read. We want to give children that are in the children’s waiting room and that come to super-vised parenting time visitation in the Family courthouse the chance to read with their par-ents, other children, etc. We will need a regular supply of books as we want to offer our community users the opportunity to take books home. We are really looking forward to sharing with our community what we sometimes take for granted. To help: As soon as the current health crisis is over, you will be able to drop off gently used children’s books at the Middlesex County Bar Office located at 87 Bayard Street in New Brunswick or at the Intake Office of the Family Court House, located on the first floor. We will have collection boxes in both locations. We thank you in advance for your assistance and participation!!
The Middlesex Advocate — May 2020 — Page 9
106th Annual Installation of Officers & Trustees Wednesday, August 26, 2020
The Park Chateau, 678 Cranbury Road, East Brunswick
Payment Type
Visa MasterCard Amex Check
106th Annual Installation Dinner Meeting - August 26, 2020 Member All Others
Name(s):
Telephone #: Email:
CC#: Exp. Date: Sec. Code:
Billing Address:
Amount Authorized: $ Name on Card:
Signature (for Credit Card Payment Only):
Cost: $95 - Members; and $115 - All Others. Make checks payable to "MCBA" and mail registration form to: Middlesex County Bar Association; 87 Bayard Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901. Deadline for advance reservations – Friday, August 21st. To reserve by phone call (732) 828-3433, ext. 102, to reserve by fax send to (732) 828-5862 or to reserve by e-mail send to [email protected].
Date: August 26, 2020
To RSVP go to: www.mcbalaw.com or call 732.828.3433 x. 102
Cost:
$95: MCBA Members $115: All Others * $10 extra at the door and for payment made after the event
Event Agenda
Cocktails/Hors d’Oeuvres Food Stations/Dessert
Networking 6:00 p.m.
Open Bar
Event Program 7:30 p.m.
Eugene Wishnic President
Edward Testino President-Elect
Jack Gillick First Vice-President
Installation of 2020-21 Bar Association
Officers & Trustees
Michael Roberts Treasurer
David Greenfield President-Elect
Elliot S. Solop President
W. Lois Kahagi Vice-President
Valerie Jackson Secretary
Installation of 2020-21 Bar Foundation
Officers & Trustees
2 0 2 0 A r t h u r H . M i l l e r L a w y e r A c h i e v e m e n t A w a r d
Hon. Harriet Derman (Ret.) Past President - 1991-92 Former Presiding Judge, Chancery
Event Sponsors
Venezia & Nolan, PC 306 Main Street
Woodbridge, NJ 07095 (732) 634-8700 | Fax: (732) 634-2031
Megha R. Thakkar Second Vice-President
Marc S. Gaffrey Treasurer
George J. Shamy, Jr. Secretary
Event Sponsors (from 2019)
Discounted Environmental Consultation Services Available to Bar Members Through Excel
We are pleased to continue our partner-ship program with Excel Environmental Resources, Inc. of North Brunswick. Excel offers the following expert environmental consultation services to all attorney members of the Association and their clients with a special MCBA member discount: No cost initial consultation for MCBA members for any
environmental compliance or issue; 10% cost savings on Excel expert professional services,
excluding any outside subcontractors if/as needed; and The inherent value associated with Excel's ability to redirect
problem projects and balance technical innovation, economic feasibility, and agency acceptability with a clear focus on achieving project closure in a timely, cost-effective, and compliant manner.
Excel provides full-service expert environmental consulting services that are solution-oriented, innovative, and focused on the needs and objectives of our clients. Key professional services provided by Excel include:
Licensed Site Remediation Professional (LSRP) Services Transactional Due Diligence (LSRP or non-LSRP)
Redirection of Problem Projects, including Those Over Schedule, Over Budget, or in Non-Compliance Expert Services/Litigation Support Preliminary Assessments/Phase I Environmental Site Assessments Site and Remedial Investigations
Remediation of Brownfield Properties to Enable Redevelop-ment
Vapor Intrusion (VI) Investigation and Mitigation Innovative & State-of-the-Art Solutions to Remediate Soil &
Groundwater Impacts to Enable Redevelopment to Proceed Technical/Strategic/Regulatory Support Construction Management and Oversight During
Remediation/Redevelopment For more information about any of our services, please visit our website at www.excelenv.com or contact:
Ron Harwood, LSRP Excel Environmental Resources, Inc.
111 North Center Drive North Brunswick, NJ 08902
(732) 545-9525 | (732) 545-9425 fax [email protected]
1. Thecourtruledintheplaintiff’sfavor.Comments:Youcan
cutwordclutterbytrimmingunnecessaryprepositionalphrases(e.g.,“oftheplaintiff”).Also,don’tbeafraidtousepossessives
2. ThecompanypresidenthiredJohntoperformcomputerrepair.Comments:Remembertopreferactivevoiceoverpassivevoice.
3. Hillmovedforsummaryjudgment.Comments:There’snoneedtorepeattheplaintiff’sfullnameorlitigationtitlethroughoutabrief.Also,byeliminatingthenominalization(“filedamotion”),youcansavesomewordsandmakethesentencestronger.
4. WhenwespokebyphoneonJanuary24th,Imistakenlysaidmyclientwouldbeavailableforthemeeting.Com‐ments:Theoriginalsentencecontainedlotsofbloatedwordsandphrases.Also,putting“onthedateof”before“January24,2020”isredundant.
5. Defendantsallegedthattheplaintiffrefusedtowearaseatbeltwhentheaccidenthappened.Comments:It’seasytoeliminatethenominalizationsinthissentence(e.g.,“contentions”).Also,noticetheeasy‐to‐fixredundancies(e.g.,“wearanduse”).
6. Toprovenegligence,aplaintiffmustshow1.)aduty,2.)abreachofthatduty,and3.)damagescausedbythebreach.Comments:InafuturearticleI’lltalkaboutstatingparallelideasinparallelform.Buthere’stheReader’sDigestver‐
(Continuedfrompage3) sion:Makesureeachelementofalistusesthesamegram‐maticalform.Thatwasnotthecaseintheoriginal.
7. RyanBulldozingCompanysueditsformercustomeronMay3,2020.ArthurSamuelsonfoundedthiscloselyheldcorporationandservesasitsCEO.Comments:Don’tputshorthandversionsofnamesinparentheseswhenthey’reobvious,andcutthehere‐words(herein,hereinafter,hereto‐fore,etc.).
8. TimCullenownsafive‐unitapartmentbuilding.Com‐ments:There’snoneedtocouplewordsandnumbers.Youcanalsoeliminateabe‐verb(andafewwords)bychanging“istheowner”to“owns.”
9. OneofthebulletshitSantore’swifewhileshesatinherapartmenttalkingonhercellphone.Comments:Inaddi‐tiontochangingthesentencefrompassivevoicetoactivevoice,youcansimplifysomeofthelanguage,including“cellularcommunicationdevice.”
10. ThebullethitSantore’swifenearherheart,slicingheraorta.Becauseofthis,shelostfivepintsofbloodanddied.Comment:Theoriginalsentencerambles,sochoppingitintwosolvesthis.Andtalkaboutwordclutter(“intheareaofherbodyabutting”).Finally,avoideuphemisms.Yes,useyourdiscretion,butyou’rebetteroffbeingdirect.
Hopethisbrokesomeboredom.Staysafe!
1JudgeJoneswouldliketothankhisformerlawclerk,SamHowie,forhelpingwiththiscolumn.
Page 10 — May 2020 — The Middlesex Advocate
125 Country Club Drive Skillman, New Jersey
Cost: MCBA Members - $250
All Others - $285 Cocktails/Dinner Only - $80
To RSVP go to www.mcbalaw.com
or call 732.828.3433, x. 102
MCBA Annual Golf Outing - October 5, 2020 You can reserve by check or credit card. Make checks payable to “MCBA” and mail in advance to: Middlesex County Bar Assn, 87 Bayard Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901. Please be sure to include your handicap or average score.
Reserve the following: Handicap/ Average Score Reception Only Name 1
Name 2
Name 3
Name 4 Payment Type (check one): Visa MasterCard Amex Check Enclosed
(For Credit Card Payment Only) Account #: Exp. Date: Sec. Code: Payment Amt:
Credit Card Billing Address: City/State/Zip:
Email Address: Telephone #:
Name on Card: Signature:
Middlesex County Bar Association 2020 Annual Golf Outing
Monday, October 5, 2020 Cherry Valley Country Club, Skillman
GOLF PACKAGE
The Middlesex County Bar Foundation will sponsor and provide prizes for the “Rounds of Golf” and Prize Raffles. All proceeds will be used for the
Foundation’s charitable programs.
11:00 a.m. Registration
Practice Range Opens
11:30 a.m. Barbecue Lunch
12:30 p.m.
Scramble Format Shot-Gun Start
Putting Contest
1st Round (During Play @ Putting Green)
Putting Contest - Finals
(@ Putting Green immediately after play)
5:30 p.m. Cocktails/
Dinner Reception Awards/Prizes
The Middlesex Advocate — May 2020 — Page 11
James P. Nolan, Jr., Esq. Law Offices of James P. Nolan & Associates
61 Green Street Woodbridge, NJ 07095
(732) 636-3344 [email protected]
Certified Criminal Trial Attorney for 25 years
Former Assistant County Prosecutor Former Municipal Court Public Defender
Representing Defendants in Superior and Municipal Court since 1990
Accepting Referrals in all Criminal Matters
Referral fees payment paid promptly pursuant to Rule 1:39-6.(d)
The Middlesex Advocate — May 2020 — Page 13
The Middlesex County Bar Association Board of Trustees cordially invites you to attend a special dinner honoring the following bar members for their significant contributions to the legal profession:
Date: October 22, 2020
The Pines Manor, Edison
Program: 4:30pm: Pre-Dinner CLE Seminar
6:15pm: Cocktail Hour Hors d’oeuvres & Cash Bar
7:30pm: Awards Dinner
MCBA Member Cost $35: CLE Seminar Only $70: Dinner Only $80: CLE Seminar & Dinner
Non-Member Cost
$70: CLE Seminar Only $85: Dinner Only $100: Dinner & CLE Seminar
Law Clerks
Free: CLE Seminar Only $35: Dinner Only $35: Dinner & CLE
Pre-Dinner Seminar @ 4:30 p.m.
DWI Advocacy: Getting Results Speakers:
This program has been approved by the BCLE of the Supreme Court of NJ for 2 hours of total CLE credit, including 2 hours of credit towards municipal court certification. (Recognized for NY CLE Credit.)
15TH ANNUAL PRACTICE AREA AWARDS DINNER
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 22, 2020
Dinner Partners
Provident Bank
Couch Braunsdorf Insurance Group
Peter Lederman, Esq. Lomurro Law
Freehold
Hon. Spero Kalambakas Municipal Court Judge
North Brunswick
Mark Cintron, Esq. Prosecutor
New Brunswick
Joshua Altman, Esq. Benedict & Altman
New Brunswick
OMG . . . MY HAIR’S ON FIRE ! More than at any other time, New Jersey Municipal Courts will be challenged with a number
of important issues in the resolution of DWI and related cases. Our panel will discuss all the latest issues affecting Municipal Court Practice.
Young Lawyers Award Victoria Paone, Esq. Paone Zaleski & Murphy
Municipal Court Practice Award Mark Cintron, Esq. Prosecutor - New Brunswick
Civil Trial Practice Award Lynne M. Kizis, Esq. Wilentz Goldman & Spitzer, PA
Criminal Trial Practice Award Denise Thomas, Esq.
Office of the Public Defender
Transactional Attorney Award Senwan Akhtar, Esq.
Greenbaum Rowe Smith & Davis LLP
Pro Bono Award Andrea J. Sullivan, Esq.
Greenbaum Rowe Smith & Davis LLP
Robert Cirafesi Chancery Practice Award Richard D. Romano, Esq.
Law Office of Richard D. Romano
General Membership Dinner Meeting - October 22, 2020
Name:
Phone #: Email:
Credit Card Account #: Sec Code:
Exp. Date: Name on Card:
Billing Address:
Payment Amount: $ Signature (Credit Card Payment Only):
Cost: See pricing above. RSVP Online at www.mcbalaw.com; or make checks payable to "MCBA" and mail registration form to: Middlesex County Bar Association; 87 Bayard Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901. Deadline for reservations – Tuesday, October 20th. Cancellations must be made 24-hours in advance of the meeting to receive a refund. To reserve by phone call (732) 828-3433, x. 102, fax form to (732) 828-5862 or send email to [email protected].
Payment Type
Visa MasterCard
Amex Check
Member Law Clerk Non-Member | Dinner/CLE Dinner Only CLE Only
Lawyer Referral Service (LRS) Participate in the MCBA’s ABA-approved lawyer referral service which provides as-
sistance to over 5,000 callers each year. For a nominal fee, members can join our updated online 24/7 service and receive referrals. LRS Reduced Fee Program Panel members provide legal services at reduced fees to those individuals who do not qualify for Legal Services but whose income barely exceeds the official poverty threshold. Participation in this program is free, and a great way for bar members to provide a public service to those in need and for younger law-yers to gain valuable experience. LRS for RU Students In conjunction with Rutgers University Office of Student Legal Services, participating panel members provide legal services at reduced fees to RU students. Participation is free. Monthly Newsletter
The Association’s newsletter “The Advocate” is published monthly from September to May and contains law-related articles, important notices from the court, a calendar of events and other news from around the legal community. Access to
current and past editions is available via the web-site (mcbalaw.com). Members who advertise in the newsletter receive 50% off the published rates.
“State-of-the-Art” Audio/Video Conference Room Members get free use of the conference room*, located in New Bruns-wick (½ block from the
courthouse). Join the growing list of attorneys who use the room for depositions, mediations, private meetings, etc. (* Up to 4 hours.) Professionalism Program Designed to resolve complaints regarding unprofessional behavior on the part of attorneys, judges and court personnel, the program is a good faith effort to work with attorneys who are in conflict over professional matters, and to attempt to improve the general quality of professional life by encouraging cooperative, constructive, civil behavior.
Continuing Legal Education (CLE) The MCBA was the first New Jersey County Bar
Association to be granted Accredited Service Pro-vider Status by the Su-
preme Court of NJ Board on Continuing Legal
Education for both live and online CLE back in 2010. You can now earn all of your mandatory
CLE credits conveniently and affordably at the MCBA. Members enjoy a 50%
discount on live seminar tuition and get members-only pricing for online seminars!
There is no better CLE value anywhere!
Easysoft Real Estate & Family Law Software Real Estate software helps you close 70%
faster. Family Law software is NEWLY updated specifically
for NJ, includes important new features, built-in compliance, security and the flexibility to access
ALL your files, anywhere, anytime on any device. 20% Off to MCBA Members!
Career Center
Find the best jobs in
the legal profession. Search for jobs quickly and easily, set-up Job Alerts, place your job openings in front of highly skilled bar
members.
Annual Bar Awards David Palovsky Service to the Bar Award;
Arthur H. Miller Lawyer Achievement Award; Goldin & Schoifet Family Law Awards;
Practice Area Awards (Pro Bono; Civil Trial Practice; Criminal Trial Practice; Municipal Court Practice, Chan-
cery Practice; Transactional; and Young Lawyers.) The awards are presented at various dinner
meetings throughout the year.
Attorney Mentor Program Lawyers seeking advice and guidance will be matched
w/experienced attorneys willing to help. Go to mcbalaw.com or call 732.828.3433, x.102.
Committees & Sections
Committee/Section participation offers opportunities to play an active role in shaping
events which influence the practice and profession, and also provides a social setting in
which to share ideas, hear speakers with expertise in varied practice areas and pick up CLE credit. Visit the website for a complete list of our com-
mittees and sections.
Middlesex County Bar Association
Membership Benefits www.mcbalaw.com
Through a partnership program with Provident Bank get preferred rates and fees
for commercial loans and mortgages, ProvidentConnect for Business Online
Banking, free wire transactions and initial check orders, a free safe deposit box and discounted merchant services; Business
Advantage Relationship Package for clients of bar members; and EmployeeAdvantage Program for employees of bar members.
“Attorneys First” Banking Program
Lawyers Professional Liability Program
Contact Couch Braunsdorf Insurance Group for all of your professional liability
insurance needs as well as life insurance. For information on PLI and/or life, business over-
head and long-term care insurance visit the website at mcbalaw.com.
Environmental Consultation Services Programs
Excel offers the following expert environ-mental consultation services to all attorney
members of the Association and their clients with a special MCBA member discount:
No cost initial consultation for MCBA
members for any environmental compli-ance or issue;
10% cost savings on Excel expert profes-sional services, excluding any outside subcontractors if/as needed; and
The inherent value associated with Excel's ability to redirect problem projects and balance technical innovation, economic feasibility, and agency acceptability with a clear focus on achieving project closure in a timely, cost-effective, and compliant manner.
Page 14 — May 2020 — The Middlesex Advocate
87 Bayard Street New Brunswick, NJ 08901
