As President of the New Jersey Defense Association for the 2008/2009 term, I gladly accept the challenges that we will face in the upcoming year.

I use the term “we” for a specific reason. I will need our members help to ensure that our organization continues to grow and prosper in our changing legal times. Every organization has a leader. However, organizations that are truly successful gather their strength from their membership, not their President.

We, as members of the New Jersey Defense Bar, must ensure that our message is transmitted effectively to our clients and to the legal community in general. I pledge as President of our organization to continue our sponsorship of seminars in order to achieve this goal. In addition, we must continue to provide effective and quality legal educational opportunities to our membership. We are planning a seminar in late September that will focus on Ethics in the Legal Profession and will be given by Mr. Gerald Strachan. Our Worker’s Compensation committee will also present a program on the same date. We are scheduled for our traditional Thanksgiving seminar on November 25, 2008. Our topic will be effective use of medical testimony at trial

Once again we will be hosting our annual Trial College, which will take place in February 2009 at the Union County Court House. The College allows aspiring Trial Attorneys to obtain tips on trial tactics from experienced Trial Attorneys in a Courtroom setting. All teaching instructors are Certified Civil Trial Attorneys. The Trial College is run by our distinguished past President and highly experienced Civil Trial Attorney, Ms. Marie Carey. In the spring, we are planning our annual Insurance Seminar given by Mr. Gerard Hanson.

On a somber note, we as members of the New Jersey Defense Association extend our sympathies to the family of Keith Jones and the Hill Wallack family. Keith passed away in June. Keith was a great attorney, a regular speaker at our annual Convention and an avid supporter of the New Jersey Defense Association. We will miss him greatly.

One of my goals for the upcoming year is to increase the frequency of our New Jersey Defense Association Publication. Our magazine is a tremendous opportunity for our members to submit articles for publication in an area of the Law in which they specialize. Our first issue will be coming out in the fall. I have discussed changes in our publication with our current editor, Stephen Foley. One of the changes will add a co-editor for each publication. With that in mind, I am pleased that Michael Leegan, Past President and current Chairman of the Board, has agreed to help Mr. Foley with the fall publication. I encourage any member wishing to submit an article to contact either Steve or Mike directly or through our Executive Director, Ms. Maryanne Steedle. Keeping in mind the theme of greater communication with our members, I am initiating a monthly President’s update that will be available on our website.

I wish to thank Michael Leegan for an outstanding Presidency, which culminated in a successful convention in Cooperstown, New York in June 2008. Further, additional thanks must be extended to our Convention speakers, which included Ms. Joanne Vos; Ms. Natalie S. Watson; Mr. Mark A. Soloman; Mr. Brian J. Chabarek; Ms. Michelle Hou; Mr. Gregory F. McGroarty; Mr. Joseph M. Aronds; Ms. Michele Haas and last but not least Past President Mr. Stephen J. Foley, Jr. Additional thanks go to our sponsors who helped make the Convention a success and to our Executive Director Ms. Maryanne Steedle whose work behind the scenes at each Convention ensures success.

I look forward to a challenging year. With your help I know it will be a successful year. I am always available, so do not be a stranger, get involved and please give me a call.

Finally, I encourage our members to attend our 2009 Convention that will be returning after a 9-year absence to the Hotel Hershey, Hershey, PA. I look forward to seeing you.

Very truly yours,
Kevin J. DeCoursey
(Office) 973-428-4433
(Email) KJD@otoole-couch.com