M E R C E R C O U N T Y
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M e r c e r C o u n t y Winter 2020 A Publication of the Mercer County Bar Association Volume 39, Issue 1 Inside This Issue From the President’s Desk…... Update From the Bench……….....4 I am honored to serve the Mercer County Bar Association as its 81st president this year. Welcome Judge Bartels….……..…5 We are already off to a fantastic start in the Bench Bar Luncheon……..….…...6 first month and there’s plenty more to come. New Jersey Law Makes it Illegal to Together with the dedicated group of ask for Salary History……….....….7 attorneys making up your bar leadership, President-Elect Tanya Phillips, Vice President Hon. Anne E. Thompson, U.S.D.J. Michael Kahme, Treasurer Margaret Honored…………………….…...10 Chipowsky and Secretary Jennifer Zoschak, we Navigating the FD Docket and are invested in the future of this association. News from the Family Bench…....11 Speaking of the future, we installed a talented group of trustees this year, in Ayesha Installation Dinner Photos……....12 K. Hamilton, Katie Mae Magee, Bryan M. Community Projects Calendar Roberts, Frank P. Spada and Sam C. Toma and of Events…..……….……………19 I look forward to working with them all this Mock Trial………………...……..20 year and seeing where they take the MCBA in James L. Creegan, Esq. the years to come. County Clerk Update……...……..21 I want to thank Executive Director handled it with aplomb and kept all in Classifieds….……..…...…….…...22 Samantha Iraca and the staff of the Mercer attendance entertained. County Bar Association for organizing an Thank you to our sponsors. Your support Installation Dinner that my family, my is greatly appreciated and vital to the MCBA. Save the date: partners, and I will never forget. The Likewise, it is equally important that our Trenton Country Club, as always, put together members consider utilizing the services of the an excellent event, the food was delicious and companies, professionals and friends that Upcoming Events the Guinness on tap was a crowd pleaser! support the MCBA. I know I speak for all of the officers and I am excited for the coming year, as we Xtreme CLE is scheduled for trustees when I say it was a true distinction to will focus our efforts toward Diversity & have the Hon. Kay Walcott-Henderson, J.S.C., Inclusion. This is a vital long-term initiative October 15, 2020 administer the oath of office and swearing in that involves member outreach, education, to the 2020 officers and trustees. The Mercer social events and building lasting ties with County Bar Association remains fortunate to statewide Affinity Bar Associations with a have the support of our Judiciary – together presence in Mercer County and Central Jersey. with many talented lawyers from both the An Association that is representative of the public and private sector, spanning a wide diverse members of our legal community in array of practices and firm sizes, this is a both its makeup and mindset will thrive for special organization to be a part of. years to come. Rob Bratman’s gracious introduction was First up, the 20th Annual Bench Bar a highlight of the evening for my family, my Luncheon, on March 19, 2020 at the Trenton firm and me, Rob truly demonstrated what it Country Club. An important aspect of our means when I tell people that my friends, growth as an Association is to listen to and colleagues and mentors at Stark & Stark are learn from our members’ and colleagues’ like family – thank you Rob! I would also like experience, only by remaining engaged can we to thank my good friend Nick Travisano for continue to improve. MCBA Trustee Ayesha emceeing the event, it’s no easy task but Nick Hamilton has agreed to moderate a CLE A Publication of the Mercer County Bar Association Page 2 A Publication of the Mercer County Bar Association program that will feature a volunteer and support these efforts to M e r c e r C o u n t y distinguished and diverse panel of help less fortunate citizens of Mercer Judges and lawyers, discussing their County this year. career experiences, including obstacles, One of the highlights of my first their path to success and how we as month included attending the NJSBA attorneys can act as upstanders. James J. McLaughlin Awards dinner on Ayesha moderated the State Bar’s Bias February 20, 2020, at which Judge Winter 2020 Volume 39, Issue 1 and Micro-Aggression CLE that Anne Thompson, U.S.D.J., received President-Elect Tanya Phillips and I the McLaughlin Award. The Officers attended on January 15, 2020. We are McLaughlin award is given to James L. Creegan 609-896-9060 thrilled to have such a talented attorney individuals demonstrating civility, legal President and educator moderate the panel competence and professionalism in the featuring: Hon. Janetta Marbrey, J.S.C., practice of civil law - Mercer County is Tanya L. Phillips 609-771-8611 President –Elect Hon. Rodney Thompson, J.S.C., Hon. very fortunate to have been graced by a Kay Walcott-Henderson and NJSBA lawyer and judge as accomplished as Michael Kahme 609-924-0808 President –Elect Kimberly A. Yonta, Judge Thompson. Mercer County was Vice President Esq. Ayesha and our CLE Committee well represented, with 7 MCBA past- Margaret A. Chipowsky 888-355-5551 Chair, Joe Paravecchia, are putting presidents – John Sakson, Scott Treasurer together a great program! The Krasny, Jeff Posta, Craig Hubert, program is also open to our Affinity Denise Mariani, Michael Paglione and Jennifer Zoschak 609-844-0488 Secretary Bar partners and their members. Bob Lytle, along with many others in Along these lines, our November attendance at the Palace in Somerset, Trustees General Membership and Annual NJ. Awards presentation will have an Scott Krasny kicked off our in- 2020 Melissa A. Chimbangu international theme and feature food, house CLE program to a capacity Evan J. Lide 609-896-9060 drink and experiences from diverse crowd at the MCBA office in Hamilton Jeffrey M. Gradone 609-580-3700 cultures. We will also continue the on February 21, 2020. It was an Lauren Scardella 609-587-1144 time honored M.C.B.A. programs like informative and extremely well Ross J. Switkes 609-695-6070 our annual Golf Outing, the Opening received seminar. In addition to the 2021 Ceremony and Memorial Service, the many rave reviews on the content, Brian McCauley 609-394-8585 Judges and Law Clerks Dinner, and our presenter and facility, my favorite Jennifer Weisberg Millner 609-896-9060 Robert F. Morris 609-896-9060 signature CLE event, XTreme CLE in responses to “What did you like most Joseph Paravecchia 609-989-6351 October. about this seminar?”, were: “the food Jessica A. Wilson 609-585-9000 In addition to our focus on was great, especially the Chicken salad Diversity and Inclusion, I am asking sandwich and the seminar was good 2022 Ayesha K. Hamilton 609-945-7310 our members to continue to engage in too” and “Scott Krasny’s Suit”. Sam Katie Mae Magee 609-989-6351 the many opportunities to give back has a great lineup of affordable CLE Bryan M. Roberts 609-896-9060 and serve our community. This year, I programs on tap for this year, so keep Frank P. Spada 215-877-2653 Sam C. Toma 609-896-2222 am asking our members to participate an eye out for what’s to come. in a County Wide Dress Down Day If you have any suggestions regarding Brian J. Duff 609-586-9000 fundraiser in which employees will be the MCBA, please contact Executive Immediate Past President able to dress casually in exchange for a Director Sam Iraca or me, Craig J. Hubert 609-275-0400 small donation. This initiative will at [email protected] or NJSBA Representative support the #WHATSMYNAME [email protected], respectively. Foundation, which was founded by a Wrapping up, I owe countless Samantha Iraca Executive Director Robbinsville, NJ, family who suffered thanks to my wife, Megan, who is the MCBA Office 609-585-6200 the tragic loss of their daughter in 2019 foundation of any success I achieve, and is dedicated to educating others on my sons, Jack, Cole, Hugh and Luke (2 Ride Share safety out of 4 made it to the installation (www.whatsmyname.org). Look for dinner), my mother and father, The MERCER COUNTY LAWYER is published four times more information on all of the above Kathleen and Michael Creegan, and of per year; Spring, Summer, Winter and Fall. Advertisements programs, including specifics about the course my firm, for all of their support appearing in the MERCER COUNTY LAWYER are the viewpoints of the contributors and are not necessarily Dress Down Day, in the coming weeks – having my friends and family there endorsed by the Mercer County Bar Association or its and months. for the installation dinner was a career members. The MCBA does not vouch for the accuracy of any Our Community Projects and life highlight. legal analysis, citations, or opinions expressed in any articles committee continues to provide contained herein. Individuals who are interested in joining the Association, placing advertising, or contributing articles meaningful service opportunities for Thank you! should contact the Bar Association office at 609-585-6200, our members to volunteer with TASK, fax 609-585-5537 or e-mail [email protected]. Meals on Wheels and contribute to the annual book drive, just to name a few. Please take the opportunity to A Publication of the Mercer County Bar Association Winter 2020 WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Naeem Akhtar, Esq. Michelle L. Sanginiti Law Office of Naeem Akhtar Schachter & Portnoy, LLC 159 Review Ave 3705 Quakerbridge Road Lawrence, NJ 08648 Suite 116 609-213-9566 Trenton, NJ 08619 [email protected] 609-514-8668 [email protected] Jennifer A.