Blogs

‘The Attorney’: Professional Identity, Respect, and Why We Should Gently Reclaim Our Place at the Table

By Tom Nobile posted 3 days ago
(Editor’s Note: This article by Jacob P. Davidson appears in the latest issue of the NJSBA Young Lawyers Division’s Dictum . YLD members can read the full issue here .) Most attorneys—particularly those early and mid career—have experienced some version of this moment: You are copied on an email chain involving your client and other professionals. The client refers to you not by name, but as “the attorney.” Or you are sitting at a closing table, having shepherded a transaction for months, and the client calls a realtor or lender to say, “I’m here with the attorney,” as though you were an anonymous accessory rather than a known collaborator. ...

New Jersey’s Top Judges Highlight Court Reforms, Threats to Judiciary at NJSBA Meeting

By Tom Nobile posted 5 days ago
New Jersey’s top two jurists outlined major developments in the state and federal court systems during their annual State of the Judiciary remarks at the NJSBA Annual Meeting and Convention. New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner and U.S. District Court Chief Judge Renée Marie Bumb highlighted progress in improving court efficiency, expanding public outreach and reentry initiatives and confronting growing threats against the Judiciary and the rule of law. Justice Rabner struck a pragmatic tone as he discussed initiatives aimed at improving services for attorneys, litigants and the public. He noted that judicial vacancies in the state Superior ...

Annual Meeting Programs Explore Judicial Appointments, Expungement, Leadership and Appeals

By Nicole Crippen posted 9 days ago
The second day of the New Jersey State Bar Association Annual Meeting and Convention brought thousands of attorneys and judges together for networking and dozens of educational seminars. The lineup on Thursday covered every practice area from LGBTQ rights matters; to estate law updates; to criminal, municipal and immigration sessions. Demystifying the Path to the Bench Attendees were treated to a behind-the-scenes look at how to carve a pathway to the bench from senators, members of Association’s Judicial and Prosecutorial Appointments Committee and legislative and administrative staff who walked hand in hand in the process. JPAC Vice Chair Carlos ...

Fireside Chat Spotlights NJ Attorney General Jennifer Davenport’s Path to Public Service

By Nicole Crippen posted 9 days ago
New Jersey Attorney General Jennifer Davenport’s path to public service began long before she became the state’s top law enforcement officer. During a fireside chat at the New Jersey State Bar Association Annual Meeting and Convention in Atlantic City this week, Davenport reflected on the experiences that shaped her career, the values that guide her leadership and her priorities for keeping New Jersey safe. She spoke with former New Jersey Attorney General Christopher Porrino, now a partner at Lowenstein Sandler. Davenport talked about growing up and spending summers working at the beach. Her path to the legal profession began in earnest when Davenport worked ...

NJSBA Installs New President, Slate of Officers

By Tom Nobile posted 9 days ago
Norberto A. Garcia took the oath of office on May 14 as president of the New Jersey State Bar Association for the 2026–2027 term, becoming the first foreign-born president in the Association’s history. New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner administered the oath during the NJSBA’s Annual Meeting and Convention in Atlantic City. Garcia was joined by family, friends, colleagues and members of the NJSBA Executive Committee and Board of Trustees as he began his term in the Association’s 127th year. Speaking at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Garcia reflected on immigrating to the United States from Cuba at a young age with his ...

Annual Meeting and Convention Seminars Examine Hot Topics Facing the Profession

By Laurie Weresow posted 10 days ago
The biggest annual event in the legal profession brought together thousands of attorneys, judges and legal professionals at the Annual Meeting and Convention. The Wednesday sessions examined issues facing the profession, including seminars on artificial inte lligence, an update about legislative matters, sessions on jury trial strategies, and what practitioners need to know about handling matters in federal courts. Other sessions looked at land use, family law and labor and employment matters. Affordability a Universal Priority in Trenton No matter the political affiliation, affordability is at the heart of state legislators’ concerns. At the annual ...

Importance of Making Connections Focus of Opening Business Session

By Nicole Crippen posted 10 days ago
Ryan Jenkins, author of Connecta ble , d elivered an address focused on helping attorneys navigate an increasingly multi-generational profession at the Opening Business Session of the NJSBA Annual Meeting and Convention. “What if there’s a single factor determining whether your multi-generational team survives or thrives?” he asked. That factor, he explained, is connection. The program explored how connection has evolved from a “nice-to-have” soft skill into a strategic imperative for law firms that are confronting shifting expectations around communication, engagement and workplace culture with so many different generations in the ...

Board of Trustees Convenes at Annual Meeting and Convention, Welcomes New Members

By Nicole Crippen posted 10 days ago
The New Jersey State Bar Association’s governing body welcomed several new members at a meeting that kicked off the Annual Meeting and Convention in Atlantic City. The Board of Trustees convened to consider several business matters. Several new trustees will be sworn into the Board at the installation ceremony on Thursday. The new trustees are: Yolanda Garcia Balicki, Shoshana Schiff, Diane Cardoso, Michael G. Donahue, Natalya Johnson, retired state Superior Court Judge Harriet Farber Klein, and Maralee Sanders. The trustees also considered amicus matters, changes to evidence rules, a report of the state Board of Attorney Certification, ...

Thousands Return to Atlantic City for NJSBA’s Annual Meeting and Convention

By Tom Nobile posted 11 days ago
The New Jersey State Bar Association launched its Annual Meeting and Convention in Atlantic City, the premier gathering of the state’s legal community. More than 3,000 judges, attorneys, law clerks, and law students are expected to attend the three-day educational and networking event, held at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa from May 13–15. Attendees from across New Jersey will have the opportunity to connect through seminars, keynote addresses, and networking programs spanning a wide range of practice areas. The agenda features more than 120 seminars, offering up to 16 CLE credits in programming designed to support professional development across nearly ...

‘Do the Next Right Thing’ – Meet 2026-2027 NJSBA President Norberto A. Garcia

By Tom Nobile posted 12 days ago
Succeeding as a trial attorney often comes down to who can tell the better story. Norberto A. Garcia approaches each case with that goal in mind. “Really, lawyers are frustrated actors. Being a trial lawyer is like putting on a production. You’re getting the actors, writing the script, the effects. If you’re successful, that show never gets performed because you resolve the case, but you’re prepared regardless,” Garcia said. If Garcia had to make the case to a jury for why he should lead the New Jersey State Bar Association, his story would carry the day. In addition to a thriving personal injury practice, he has devoted years of service to the profession ...

Capitol Report: New ABC Test Rules Set Off New Round of Questions

By Tom Nobile posted 16 days ago
On the heels of a moratorium imposed by Gov. Mikie Sherrill on all pending regulations, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development adopted new regulations addressing the ABC test for determining whether someone is an employee or an independent contractor. The New Jersey State Bar Association voiced strong opposition to the proposed rules by then-Gov. Phil Murphy and remains concerned about these new rules. The NJDOL said the new rules take into consideration the extensive comments on the last administration’s proposed rules and “provide New Jersey businesses with clarity and guidance to be able to compete fairly and comply with the state’s ...

Capitol Report: Trafficking and Human Rights Concerns at Forefront of World Cup-Related Legislation

By Tom Nobile posted 23 days ago
The 2026 FIFA World Cup is weeks away and legislators are focused on efforts to combat sex and labor exploitation. Next week, the Assembly Community development and Women Affairs Committee will consider A3991 (Bhalla)/S3451 (Beach) , which would require certain entities, state agencies and municipalities to submit reports concerning human rights during the World Cup. The New Jersey State Bar Association is monitoring these and other bills and efforts surrounding the World Cup. According to the findings and declarations in the bill, “[t]he 2026 FIFA World Cup. . . for which MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey, will host a significant number of matches, ...

Fake Meetings, Real Cyber Risk: Attackers Are Stealing Both Faces and Passwords

By Tom Nobile posted 26 days ago
The NJSBA cautions law firms and practitioners about a new wave of cyberattacks that use fake meeting invites to steal credentials and capture a person’s image or video. The attack often starts with an unexpected calendar invite or video meeting link that appears to come from a legitimate business contact. Upon closer inspection, the invite may come from a different email address than the one you normally use to communicate with that person, though that is not always the case. Once the person clicks the link, they may land on a fake Zoom or Teams-style meeting page that looks legitimate. From there, attackers may capture the person’s live camera feed and ...

NJSBA Board of Trustees Takes Action, Honors Outgoing Trustees at April Meeting

By Tom Nobile posted 26 days ago
At its final gathering before the Annual Meeting and Convention in May, the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Board of Trustees approved several measures and recognized outgoing Trustees whose terms will conclude at the end of this cycle. NJSBA President Christine A. Amalfe honored Stephen E. Parrey, Brian J. Neary, Michael R. Paglione, Scott R. Malyk and Brandon Lee Wolff for their service and dedication to the Association. She emphasized that their departure from the Board marks not an end, but a transition to continued leadership within the Association’s sections, committees and broader initiatives. “Their contributions have advanced the mission of the ...

One Year, One Mission: NJSBA President Reflects on a Year of Service

By Tom Nobile posted 04-20-2026
The following is NJSBA President Christine A. Amalfe’s final column in the April 2026 edition of New Jersey Lawyer . Time seems to accelerate the longer you practice law. The days can be long, sometimes stressful and often rewarding, but the years tend to pass effortlessly. Every day brings another opportunity to land a client, win a motion, stand before a jury and help give a client their day in court. Amid life’s chaos, it’s never a bad time to reflect on what you have achieved. If we don’t look backward, we can never truly look forward. Lawyers and bar associations play a vital role in society. We possess the skills to advocate for what is right, engage ...

Section Spotlight: Inside the NJSBA’s Banking, Fintech and Digital Assets Law Section

By Tom Nobile posted 04-08-2026
The New Jersey State Bar Association offers 80 sections, committees and divisions for members to stay apprised of the latest trends in their specialty, shape legislation and become better attorneys for their practice and clients. The NJSBA’s Banking, Fintech and Digital Assets Law Section recently adopted a new name to better reflect its commitment to staying current amid the rapid transformation of the financial services industry over the past decade. Section Chair Steven T. Knipfelberg, a partner at McDermott Will & Schulte, recently discussed the evolving role of technology in banking, how these advancements impact everyday life and how the section is ...

NJSBA Board of Trustees Acts at March Meeting

By Tom Nobile posted 03-31-2026
The New Jersey State Bar Association’s governing body took key actions to support its members and advance the organization’s mission during its March meeting. The Board agreed to submit comments on the Supreme Court Civil Practice Committee Report. The comments oppose a proposed amendment to Rule 1:6-2(d) that would make oral argument on motions for reconsideration discretionary rather than a matter of right. The Board also acknowledges the inclusion of standard interrogatories requiring plaintiffs to disclose prior accidents and lawsuits. The Board created the Marilyn Askin Lifetime Achievement Award to be given out periodically by the NJSBA Elder and Disability ...

Capitol Report: Governor Signs Immigration Initiative Into Law; Several NJSBA-Monitored Bills Clear Senate and Assembly

By Tom Nobile posted 03-27-2026
The Senate and Assembly both convened earlier this week to pass a number of measures being monitored by the New Jersey State Bar Association: A4071 (Park)/S3521 (Timberlake) - Strengthening Trust Between Law Enforcement and Immigrant Communities The governor signed into law this bill which codifies elements of the Attorney General Directive that outlines when state, county and municipal law enforcement may engage in activities that support federal civil immigration enforcement. The Association supported the measure because it “provides clarity, consistency, and stability while preserving cooperation in cases involving serious criminal conduct.” Major provisions ...

Capitol Report: Senate Committee Approves Bill Requiring Properly Named Defendants in UM/UIM Cases

By Tom Nobile posted 03-19-2026
The Senate Commerce Committee passed S3173 (Scutari/Bramnick) , which requires defendants, including insurance companies named as defendants, to be properly identified in certain causes of action. The NJ State Bar Association opposes this bill because of the prejudice to juries. “If the intent is to permit an insurance company to be identified in a cause of action to determine liability in an underlying accident, the Association cautions that such a broad determination would be prejudicial,” the NJSBA said in a written statement to the Senate Commerce Committee members. “Currently, the existence of an insurance defendant, let alone the name of the insurance ...

Capitol Report: Assembly Committee Hears Testimony on Administrative Procedure Act

By Tom Nobile posted 03-12-2026
The Assembly Oversight, Reform and Federal Relations Commission heard testimony on A1505 (Freiman) /S729 (Burzichelli), which proposes several amendments to the Administrative Procedure Act (APA). The New Jersey State Bar Association participated in recommendations for amendments as part of the Red Tape Review Committee under Gov. Chris Christie. The committee’s chair, Assemblyman Alexander Schnall, kicked off the hearing by highlighting stakeholder concerns about the length and predictability of rulemaking and the accessibility of the public comment process. He also raised concerns about the clarity of guidance. “This hearing is an opportunity for a ...