From the President's Desk

As we all enjoy the fall weather and quickly approach the holidays, I would like to begin by expressing my heartfelt thanks to the membership, the Board of Directors, and the nominating committee for providing me with the opportunity to serve as President of this extraordinary organization for the 2024-2025 term.

I would also like to thank our immediate Past President and new Chairperson of the Board, Rob Luthman, Esq., for his guidance over the past year and to congratulate him on a very successful term as President. Congratulations is also due to our newly elected Officers and Directors, including our President-elect, Juliann M. Alicino, Esq., and Secretary/Treasurer, Robert M. Cook, Esq. Perhaps most importantly, thank you to our Executive Director, Maryanne Steedle, for her never ending work on behalf of the organization.

I hope to build on the tremendous work of our Past Presidents by fostering the growth of our organization, providing opportunity for the enrichment and advancement of our members and encouraging and teaching our young lawyers. Together we can advance the purposes of our organization while lifting up our members. This can be accomplished through many different forms of involvement, such as attending one of the NJDA’s continuing legal education seminars, including the upcoming Women & the Law Seminar on November 11, 2024 and the Auto Liability Seminar on November 26, 2024. Perhaps you would like to join an NJDA committee or, as a current member of one of the substantive committees, you may have a legal topic that would make for a great Seminar. If so, please consider planning a Seminar in the new year. We always welcome and encourage members to attend a Board meeting, with our next meeting being held on November 6, 2024 at 6:00 p.m. at Town Bar + Kitchen in Morristown, NJ. It’s a great opportunity to socialize with your colleagues and become more involved. You can also attend one of our social gatherings such as our holiday party at Spring Lake Country Club on December 6, 2024. Finally, I would encourage our members to write an article for the NJ Defense or consider volunteering to act as amicus curiae counsel for the NJDA on one of the many important cases that we become involved in as an organization. There are so many ways to get involved with the NJDA and to make the most of your membership.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at any time during this term at president@njdefenseassociation.com. I encourage not only your involvement, but also any thoughts, ideas or questions that you may have. I hope to see you all at the many upcoming events that we have planned. Together we can advance not only the purposes of the NJDA and our members, but also the defense bar and the justice system.

Past NJDA Presidents