While several months remain before the calendar year turns a page, the 2023-2024 term year is now in full swing at the NJDA. It is with dutiful excitement that I thank the membership, the Board of Directors, and the nominating committee for providing me with the opportunity to serve as President of this great organization for the upcoming term.
I would like to thank our immediate Past President and new Chairperson of the Board, Michelle M. O’Brien, Esq., for her mentorship over the past year as well as to congratulate her on a successful term as president. Congratulations is also due to all our newly elected officers and directors, particularly our President-elect, Katelyn Cutinello, Esq., and Secretary/Treasurer, Juliann Alicino, Esq. And, of course, as inadequate as the words may be, a wholehearted thank you to our amazing Executive Director, Maryanne Steedle, for her tireless efforts on behalf of the organization.
I look forward to facilitating a year in which our members and friends can, and desire to, become more involved with the NJDA. Involvement leads to growth. Growth leads to pooling of resources. Resources allow our organization to provide members with valuable tools that they need to succeed in their endeavors. My request to you: Become Involved! Involvement can take the form of attending one of our more social gatherings such as the annual golf outing, our holiday party at Spring Lake Country Club on December 1, 2023, or the next annual convention at The Equinox in Manchester, Vermont in June 2024, or more substantively by joining an NJDA committee, attending a Board meeting, writing an article for the NJ Defense, or registering for one of our highly educational seminars. There are countless opportunities to get involved with the NJDA that will fit each and every one of you.
This year is already off to a fast start with initiatives meant to improve and expand the NJDA’s Expert Database and ListServ. Join us in keeping the momentum moving forward as we dive headfirst into this term. Please do not hesitate to reach out to me at any time during this upcoming term at president@njdefense- association.com. Not only am I here for any thoughts, ideas, or questions that you may have, but I want to hear from each of you at some point this upcoming year. We are 600 members strong. And together we can continue to grow the NJDA to the benefit of each member individually and our defense community as a whole.
C. Robert Luthman, Esq.
Weir Attorneys
2109 Pennington Road
Ewing, NJ 08638
(609) 594-4000
president@njdefenseassociation.com
Past NJDA Presidents
2022-2023
Michelle M. O’Brien, Esq.
Bernardsville, NJ
2021-2022
Ryan A. Richman, Esq.
Newark, NJ
2020-2021
John V. Mallon, Esq.
Secaucus, NJ
2019-2020
Michael A. Malia, Esq.
Sea Girt, NJ
2018-2019
Aldo J. Russo, Esq.
Secaucus, NJ
2017-2018
Natalie H. Mantell, Esq.
Newark, NJ
2016-2017
Chad M. Moore, Esq.
New Brunswick, NJ
2015-2016
Gregory F. McGroarty, Esq.
Warren, NJ
2014-2015
Mario J. Delano, Esq.
Asbury Park, NJ
2013-2014
Michele G. Haas, Esq.
New Brunswick, NJ
2012-2013
Mark A. Saloman, Esq.
Newark, NJ
2011-2012
Edward J. Fanning, Jr., Esq.
Newark, NJ
2010-2011
Joseph J. Garvey, Esq.
Toms River, NJ
2009-2010
Joanne Vos, Esq.
Iselin, NJ
2008-2009
Kevin J. DeCoursey, Esq.
Whippany, NJ
2007-2008
Michael J. Leegan, Esq.
Florham Park, NJ
2006-2007
Arthur F. Leyden, III, Esq.
Toms River, NJ
2005-2006
Linda Pissott Reig, Esq.
Morristown, NJ
2004-2005
Philip R. Lezenby, Jr., Esq.
Cherry Hill, NJ
2003-2004
Thomas B. Hight, Esq.
Bloomfield, NJ
2002-2003
Heidi Willis Currier, Esq.
Roseland, NJ
2001-2002
Brian R. O’Toole, Esq.
Whippany, NJ
2000-2001
George Sesso, Esq.
Parsippany, NJ
1999-2000
Bruce E. Helies, Esq.
Manasquan, NJ
1998-1999
Charles P. Hopkins, II, Esq.
Shrewsbury, NJ
1997-1998
Stephen J. Foley, Jr., Esq.
Asbury Park, NJ
1996-1997
Marie A. Carey, Esq.
Roseland, NJ
1995-1996
Edward H. Herman, Esq.
Princeton, NJ
1994-1995
James F. Ferguson, Esq.
Absecon, NJ
1993-1994
John R. Gercke, Esq.
Cherry Hill, NJ
1992-1993
John L. White, Esq.
Woodbury, NJ
1991-1992
Steven H. Isaacson, Esq.
Roseland, NJ
1990-1991
Thomas T. Chappell, Esq.
Montclair, NJ
1989-1990
Nicholas M. Briante
Fanwood, NJ
1988-1989
R. Scott Conant
Parsippany, NJ
1987-1988
Leon B. Piechta, Esq.
West Orange, NJ
1987-1987
J. Lee Kimbrell, Esq.
West Orange, NJ
1986-1987
J.R. Peter Wilson, Esq.
Denville, NJ
1985-1986
William E. Frese, Esq.
Newark, NJ
1984-1985
Edward F. Garvey
Voorhees, NJ
1983-1984
William R. Powers, Jr., Esq.
Moorestown, NJ
1982-1983
Roger C. Steedle, Esq.
Absecon, NJ
1981-1982
Francis H. Wolff, Esq.
Red Bank, NJ
1980-1981
Robert H. Westphal
Orange, NJ
1979-1980
John J. O’Donnell, Esq.
Morristown, NJ
1978-1979
George B. Meyers
Newark, NJ
1977-1978
John J. Nooney, Esq.
Branchville, NJ
1976-1977
Michael J. Cernigliaro, Esq.
Asbury Park, NJ
1975-1976
Bernard M. Powell, Esq.
Moorestown, NJ
1974-1975
Alfred G. Morse
Orange, NJ
1973-1974
Gerald M. Gorrin, Esq.
East Orange, NJ
1972-1973
David A. Parker, Esq.
Mt. Holly, NJ
1971-1972
James W. Hurley, Esq.
Plainfield, NJ
1970-1971
Lewis P. Dolan, Jr., Esq.
Newton, NJ
1969-1970
James L. Cooper, Esq.
Atlantic City, NJ
1968-1969
Harry Lane, Jr., Esq.
Runnemede, NJ
1966-1968
Fred W. Jung, Jr., Esq.
Chatham, NJ
