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2026 Family Law Symposium | January 23-24, 2026 | Hyatt Regency, New Brunswick

1. 2026 Family Law Symposium | January 23-24, 2026 | Hyatt Regency, New Brunswick

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Justin Gumpel

Posted 2 days ago

2026 Family Law Symposium

January 23-24, 2026 | Hyatt Regency, New Brunswick

Friday, Jan. 23 | 6 – 8 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 24 | 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

About

The 2026 Family Law Symposium

On Jan. 23 and 24, join hundreds of family law attorneys, judges, paralegals and other related professionals at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick for New Jersey's premier family law event – the 2026 Family Law Symposium! Reserve your seat today to hear thought-provoking and insightful presentations from many of the state's leading lawyers and judges, and to network with colleagues and other family law professionals.

This year's symposium features three dedicated segments on complex issues in custody matters. Each segment will focus on one of three vital topics in family law: substance abuse, sexual abuse allegations and learning disabilities. Additional cutting-edge topics include creative arguments around equitable distribution and innovative theories in litigation.

The symposium also includes the topics that you depend on, such as the top 10 reported and unreported cases of the previous year.

Don't miss out on New Jersey's top family law event featuring compelling and timely discussions, vendors who will assist you in your practice and more!

Rates

Family Law Symposium – Friday Night Rate:
– Section Members: $175
– Members: $187
– Non-Members: $234

Family Law Symposium – Saturday Rate:
– Section Members: $254
– Members: $271
– Non-Members: $339

Room Reservation Information at Hyatt Regency, New Brunswick

A block of rooms are being held at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick for Friday, Jan. 23 and Saturday, Jan 24. To make your reservations, please click here.
Important: Be sure to reserve your room before Jan. 2 to secure the group rate.

Friday | Jan. 23, 2026
6 – 8 p.m.

Death and Family Law

Join us for The Family Law Symposium Friday night seminar.

What happens when death collides with family litigation? This comprehensive seminar guides family law practitioners through the complex challenges that arise when a party dies during or after matrimonial or non-dissolution proceedings.

Our distinguished panel will explore the following topics:

How to proceed if one party to a divorce action dies during the litigation
How to properly present evidence to support the equitable distribution factors if one party is deceased
How to proceed if a party in a non-dissolution action dies
If child support from a parent ends when that parent dies
Custody, parenting time, and visitation issues that arise when one parent dies. Do grandparents have rights, do siblings, do aunts and uncles
Appropriate language to use in settlement agreements and wills to provide for a child's care, custody, and support in the event one parent (or both) dies after the divorce
Collecting legal fees from the estate of a deceased client
Effective use of life insurance

Don't miss out on this practical session for practitioners who want to be fully prepared for the unexpected twists of family law.

Moderator

John F. DeBartolo, Esq.
Law Office of Timothy F. McGoughran LLC, Ocean Township

Presenters

Hon. Hany A. Mawla, P.J.A.D.
Appellate Division, Part C

Cheryl E. Connors, Esq.
Chair, NJSBA Family Law Section
Tonneman & Connors, LLC, Little Silver

Kaitlyn A. Lapi, Esq.
Hagan Klein & Weisberg LLC- Main, Cedar Knolls

Frank A. Louis, Esq.
Greenbaum Rowe Smith & Davis LLP, Red Bank

Thomas A. Roberto, Esq.
Adinolfi, Roberto, Burick & Molotsky, PA, Mount Laurel

Elizabeth Rozin-Golinder, Esq.
Rozin Golinder Law, LLC, East Brunswick

	CLE Credits
NJ CLE:	NJ CLE information: This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 2.4 hours of total CLE credit (Full Credits Available: NJ General: 2.4).
NY CLE:	NY Professional Practice Non-Transitional: 2.0
PA CLE:	PA Substantive Credit: 2.0 New: No PA CLE fee is required for this program. To earn PA CLE credits, a valid PA Bar ID number must be entered into the CLE form provided after attending the program.

Saturday | Jan. 24, 2026
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.

2026 Family Law Symposium

Program Agenda:

9:00 | Introduction – Cheryl E. Connors, Esq.
9:05 | Top 10 Reported Cases – John P. Paone, Jr., Esq.
9:40 | The Effect of the One Big Beautiful Bill on Family Lawyers – Where are we so far?
– Moderator: Cheryl E. Connors, Esq.
– Speakers: Jeralyn L. Lawrence, Esq.; Derek M. Freed, Esq.; Kevin J. Baldwin, CPA, ABV; Judy Doyle, CPA, ABV; Greg Kohr; Hubert Klein, CPA/ABV/CFF/CGMA, CVA, CFE; Alex Krasnomowitz, CPA, CVA, MBA and Michael A. Saponara, CPA/ABV, MA, JD
10:50 | Break
11:00 | Technology, Artificial Intelligence and Client Pitfalls in Family Law
Use of electronic evidence (texts, social media, emails) in custody and divorce cases, parental rights regarding child monitoring apps, tracking, and social media use, AI-generated content or deepfakes used maliciously in custody or divorce proceedings.- Moderator: Robert A. Epstein, Esq.
– Speakers: Hon. Marcella Matos Wilson, J.S.C.; Alexandra M. Freed, Esq.; Robin C. Bogan, Esq.; Timothy F. McGoughran, Esq.; Matheu D. Nunn, Esq.; Michael A. Weinberg, Esq. and Michelle A. Wortmann, Esq.
12:10 | Lunch
1:00 | Top 10 Unreported Cases
– Moderator: Stephanie Lomurro, Esq.
1:35 | Complex Issues in Custody Matters – Substance Abuse and Sexual Abuse Allegations in Family Law
– Moderator: Christine Fitzgerald, Esq. and Jeffrey Fiorello, Esq.
– Speakers: Hon. Edward W. Hoffman, P.J.F.P.; Hon. Daniel H. Brown, P.J.F.P.; Kieran Ayre, Ph.D.; Thomas DeCataldo, Jr., Esq.; Elise C. Landry, JD, Ph.D.; Megan S. Murray, Esq.; Amanda S. Trigg, Esq. and Albertina Webb, Esq.
2:40 | Break
2:50 | Innovative Arguments Regarding Alimony and the Marital Lifestyle
– Moderator: Cassie Murphy, Esq.
– Speakers: Hon. Marie E. Lihotz, J.A.D. (Ret.); Lizanne Ceconi, Esq.; Frank A. Louis, Esq. and Brian G. Paul, Esq.
3:35 | Litigation in Non-Dissolution Matters
Fewer couples are choosing to get married which means more litigation in non-dissolution matters when they break up.- Moderator: Rita M. Aquilio, Esq.
– Speakers: Hon. Dalya Youssef, J.S.C.; Jhanice V. Domingo, Esq.; Debra E. Guston, Esq.; Lauren A. Miceli, Esq.; Jenna Shapiro, Esq. and Megha R. Thakkar, Esq.
4:25 | Wrap Up
4:30 | Adjourn

Moderators

Rita M. Aquilio, Esq.
Lawrence Law, Watchung

Cheryl E. Connors, Esq.
Chair, NJSBA Family Law Section
Tonneman & Connors, LLC, Eatontown

Robert A. Epstein, Esq.
Manzi Epstein Lomurro & Decataldo, West Orange

Christine Fitzgerald, Esq.
SeidenFreed, LLC, Cranford

Jeffrey Fiorello, Esq.
Cohn Lifland Pearlman Herrmann & Knopf LLP, Saddle Brook

Cassie Murphy, Esq.
Paone Zaleski & Murphy, Red Bank

Presenters

Hon. Edward W. Hoffman, P.J.F.P., Burlington
Burlington County Superior Court

Hon. Daniel H. Brown, P.J.F.P.
Middlesex County

Hon. Marcella Matos Wilson, J.S.C., Essex
Superior Court of New Jersey

Hon. Dalya Youssef, J.S.C.
Somerset County Courthouse

Hon. Marie E. Lihotz, PJAD (Ret.)
Archer & Greiner, Voorhees

Kieran Ayre, Ph.D.
Ayre Counseling, LLC, Morristown

Kevin J. Baldwin, CPA, ABV
DLA, LLC, Shrewsbury

Robin C. Bogan, Esq.
Pallarino & Bogan LLP, Parsippany

Lizanne Ceconi, Esq.
Javerbaum Wurgaft Hicks Kahn Wikstrom & Sinins, P.C., Springfield

Thomas DeCataldo, Jr., Esq.
Manzi Epstein Lomurro & DeCataldo, LLC, West Orange

Jhanice V. Domingo, Esq.
Pashman Stein Walder Hayden, P.C., Hackensack

Judy Doyle, CPA, ABV
WithumSmith+Brown, PC, Princeton

Alexandra M. Freed, Esq.
SeidenFreed, LLC, Pennington

Derek M. Freed, Esq.
SeidenFreed, LLC, Pennington

Debra E. Guston, Esq.
Guston & Guston, LLP, Glen Rock

Hubert Klein, CPA/ABV/CFF/CGMA, CVA, CFE
EisnerAmper LLP

Greg Kohr
CBiz, East Hanover

Alex Krasnomowitz, CPA, CVA, MBA
Smolin Lupin

Elise C. Landry, JD, Ph.D.
Landry Family Forensics, LLC, Red Bank

Jeralyn L. Lawrence, Esq.
Past President, NJSBA
Lawrence Law, LLC, Watchung

Stephanie Lomurro, Esq.
Manzi Epstein Lomurro & DeCataldo, LLC, West Orange

Frank A. Louis, Esq.
Greenbaum Rowe Smith & Davis, LLP, Red Bank

Timothy F. McGoughran, Esq.
Past President, NJSBA
Law Office of Timothy F. McGoughran LLC, Ocean

Demetra A. Maurice, Esq.
McGivney, Kluger, Clark & Intoccia, PC, Livingston

Lauren A. Miceli, Esq.
Manzi Epstein Lomurro & DeCataldo, LLC, East Brunswick

Megan S. Murray, Esq.
The Family Law Offices of Megan S. Murray, Holmdel

Matheu D. Nunn, Esq.
Einhorn, Barbarito, Frost, Botwinick, Nunn & Musmanno, P.C., Denville

John P. Paone, Jr., Esq.
Paone Zaleski & Murphy, Red Bank

Brian G. Paul, Esq.
Szaferman Lakind Blumstein & Blader, Lawrenceville

Michael A. Saponara, CPA/ABV, MA, JD
STOUT

Jenna Shapiro, Esq.
Szaferman, Lakind, Blumstein & Blader, P.C., Lawrenceville

Megha R. Thakkar, Esq.
Thakkar Family Law, LLC, Piscataway

Amanda S. Trigg, Esq.
Cohn Lifland Pearlman Herrmann & Knopf LLP, Saddle Brook

Albertina Webb, Esq.
Sarno da Costa D'Aniello Maceri Webb LLC, Roseland

Michael A. Weinberg, Esq.
Weinberg Kaplan & Smith, Marlton

Michelle A. Wortmann, Esq.
Sarno da Costa D'Aniello Maceri Webb LLC, Roseland

	CLE Credits
NJ CLE:	NJ CLE information: This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 7.5 hours of total CLE credit (Full Credits Available: Matrimonial Attorney-General: 2.4, NJ General: 7.5).
NY CLE:	NY Professional Practice Non-Transitional: 7.5
PA CLE:	PA Substantive Credit: 6.0 New: No PA CLE fee is required for this program. To earn PA CLE credits, a valid PA Bar ID number must be entered into the CLE form provided after attending the program.

Friday – I403526
Saturday – I014426

Sponsorship

The NJSBA is grateful for the support of its sponsors. For Sponsorship and Exhibitor opportunities please click below or email [email protected].

Want To Become A Sponsor?

Important Information About Our Events, Meetings, and More:
To secure your spot and receive important updates about our events, meetings, and other gatherings, such as schedule changes, remember to register in advance.

Digital Materials & Environmental Commitment: As part of our commitment to environmental sustainability, unless otherwise noted, all seminar materials are provided as digital downloads. You can access these materials through:

The "My Links" section at the top of our website for in-person or online events
Or, for online programs, the event access link included in your joining instructions

Cancellation and Refund Policy:
If you need to cancel your registration and are not transferring to another program or date, please submit a written request to us at least three business days before the event, meeting, or gathering. You will receive a refund minus a $20.00 cancellation fee. No refunds or registration changes will be issued within three business days of the event, meeting, or gathering.

Stay Informed:
Registered participants will be notified of any schedule changes. For updates regarding inclement weather, please check your email or visit NJSBA.com.

Media Consent:
By participating in our events, meetings, or other gatherings, you agree to be photographed and/or recorded. Additionally, all media content captured during these gatherings will become the property of NJSBA. This content, including your image and name, may be used in our future promotional materials without additional consent or compensation.

Scholarship & Financial Assistance Policy:
Read our Scholarship & Financial Assistance Policy and submit an Application here: https://njsba.com/njicle/cle-programs/scholarship/

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Justin Gumpel
Membership Marketing &
Engagement Specialist
New Jersey State Bar Association
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