message from the president...photographs of new firms, new hires, promotions, awards, celebrations...

The Middlesex County Bar Association Monthly Newsletter

WearenowdeeplyentrenchedintheHoli-daySeason.Normally,thisisatimeforgath-

eringswithbothfamilyandfriends.Atimeforrushingtocrowdedretailstoresto indthebestdealsontheperfectgifts.Atimeforholidaypar-ties,of icepartiesandatimeforhu-maninteraction.Butthisis2020andthisyearisanythingbutnormal.Wearealsodeeplyentrenchedinthesec-ondwaveofCOVID-19,whichhassad-lyderailedourhopesof inallygettingbackintothecourtroomtoconductbothcriminalandciviljurytrialsbe-foretheendoftheyear.ChiefJusticeRabner’sNovember16thOrderstatesthatallin-personjurytrialsandgrandjuryproceedingswillbesuspendedinde initely.Whileplansforthereturntoconductinglivejurytrialshasbeenplacedonhold,overthepastmonths,Judges,courthousestaffandpracti-tionershavebeenworkingtogethertirelesslytoplanandpreparethecourthousefortheirreturn.

OnNovember10ththeMiddlesexCountyBarAssociationhostedawebi-narwithover270attendeesentitled“TryingCases-In-PersonunderCOVID-19Restrictions.”TheCLEwasmoder-atedbyGeorgeShamy,Esq.andpre-sentedbyourAssignmentJudge,Hon.MichaelToto,aswellasJudgesHap-pas,Flynn,JimenezandCresitello.ThestellarpanelexplainedthenewlymintedCOVID-19petitejurorques-tionnaire,emphasizedtheimportanceofthepre-trialconference,showedphotosofthenewcourtroomlayout,

andexplainedhowtodealwithintro-ducingandpublishingevidence.ItwasanextremelyinformativeCLE,helpingusaswemigratethroughthisneweraofCOVID-19andcreatedasolidfoun-dationuponwhichtobuildasweenterthenewcalendaryearandhopefullymakeoureventualwaybacktotryingcases.

TheMCBAisthankfulforthehardworkofallourJudges.Wearethankfulforthestrongbench/barrelationshipthisCountyenjoys.Equallyimportantisoursupportfortheirjudicialinde-pendence.Recently,thatverytopichasgarneredsomeattentioninthemedia.WhilethejudicialnominationprocessisbynaturepoliticalinthesensethatjudgesarenominatedbytheGovernorandcon irmedbytheSenate,wecan-notoverlookthefactthat,asthethirdbranchofgovernment,itiscriticaltoourconstitutionalsystemofchecksandbalancesthatjudgesbeaffordedtherighttoremainindependent.

Whenjudgespresideovercasesandapplythelawinthemannertheybelievemostfairandjust,evenagainstthepopularwillofthepeople,theyaredoingtheirjob.Butwhenunpopulardecisionsresultinpoliticalaccounta-bility,whatinvariablyresultsisthesurrenderoftheadministrationofim-partialjustice.Onceconsiderationsoutsidesimplyrightandwrongandtheproperapplicationofthelawcreepin,judicialindependenceisthreatened.Judgesmustfeelsecureintheknowledgethattheirdecisionsand

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The Middlesex County Bar Associa on 87 Bayard Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 � www.mcbalaw.com � 732.828.3433

Upcoming Events Annual Family Law CLE

& Awards Recognition Event Monday, January 11th

(See page 9 for details)

16th Annual Practice Area Award

Recognition Event Thursday, March 18th

107th Annual Installation Dinner

What’s Inside Calendar of Events………… 2 COVID-19 Stimulates Acknowledgement by NJ Courts of Social Media as a Constitutional Right by Eric Marcy, Esq. ………. 3 Five Legal Writing Myths You Can Ignore by Hon. Robert Jones, JSC …. 5 15th Annual Hope for the Holidays Drive ……………. 6/7 Maintaining Cash Flow as a Case for Continuity Planning by Bernadette Macko, Sr. VP Provident Bank ……………. 8 Bar Member in the News …… 11 Candidates Sought for 2021 Practice Area Awards ………. 11

Message from the President . . . By Eugene Wishnic, Esq.

CalendarofEvents

The Middlesex Advocate 87 Bayard Street

New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Phone: (732) 828-3433

Fax: (732) 828-5862 www.mcbalaw.com

Newsletter Editor

Megha R. Thakkar, Esq.

Letters to the Editor We welcome letters from MCBA members responding to recent articles or to events or issues of general concern to the bar. Commentary Articles Bar members are invited to submit “op-ed” articles, not longer than 750 words, which take affirmative or negative positions on matters of interest to the bar. Practice-Oriented Articles We welcome the submission of substantive law articles, to be limited to 2,000 words or less. News About People & Firms MCBA members are invited to submit announcements and photographs of new firms, new hires, promotions, awards, celebrations and other noteworthy events. Obituaries Obituaries about Middlesex County lawyers may be submitted and should be 300 words or less. Content Review/Proofreading Provided by Linda Lashbrook, Esq. since 1995. Materials submitted for publication should be sent to [email protected] and may be edited for style or abridged due to space limits. Photographs must be submitted electronically in jpg or png formats.

Cal

enda

r

— December 2020 — The Middlesex Advocate

December3–Thursday@12:00p.m.MUNICIPALCOURTPRACTICECLE(1.5Credits)–MunicipalCourtCollege101.Speakers:Hon.TinaMar-tinsCruz,JMC;DavidSpevack,Esq.;andMatthewTee-ter,Esq.Cost:$10-MCBAYoungLawyers;$15-MCBAMembers;and$30-Non-Members.December9–Wednesday@9:00a.m.ELDERLAWCOMMITTEEMEETING-TheCommitteewilldiscusscurrentpractice-relatedissuesandCLEprogramideasforthecomingyear.Thereisnocosttoattend.ToRSVPandgetalinktothemeetingsendanemailtojcowles@mcbalaw.com.December10–Thursday@10:30a.m.FAMILYLAW&COHABITATIONCLE(1.5Credits)–Speakers:RobertGoldstein,Esq.,EllenSchwartz,Esq.,andAnthonyDeLorenzo,AllStateInvestigations.Mod-erator:JohnPaone,III,Esq.Cost:$20-MCBAMembers;and$40-Non-MemberAttorneys.December16–Wednesday,11:00a.m.ATTORNEYTRUSTACCOUNTSMINI‐WEBCAST–Speakers:GregDittrich,VP,ProvidentBankandElyseGoldstein,CLM,PHR,SHRM-CP,FirmAdm.,RebenackAronow&Mascolo,LLP.Moderator:CraigAronow,Esq.December17–Thursday@12:00p.m.TRUCKINGLITIGATION–BEYONDTHEBASICSCLE(2Credits)–Speakers:EdwardRebenack,Esq.,CraigAronow,Esq.andTylerHall,Esq.Cost:$25-MCBAMembersand$50-Non-MemberAttorneys.December18–Friday@12:15p.m.BOARDOFTRUSTEESMEETING–BarMembersarewelcometoattendviawebcast.ToRSVPpleasesendemailtojcowles@mcbalaw.cominadvance.December22–Monday@1:00p.m.TAXATIONCOMMITTEEVIRTUALCLE(2Credits)-LawyerWellbeinginTimesofChallengeandChange.Speakers:CedricAshley,Esq.andKimberlyYonta,Esq.,NJSBAPresident.Moderator:ValerieJackson,Esq.Cost:$20-Membersand$40-AllOthers.December22–Tuesday@9:00a.m.TAXATIONCOMMITTEEVIRTUALCLE(1.5Credits)-Topic:TBA.Cost:$10. January11–Monday@3:00p.m.ANNUALFAMILYLAWCASEREVIEW&AWARDSRECOGNTION–Topic:ReviewofTopFamilyLawCasesfrom2020(1.5CLEcredits).Speakers:DavidWildstein,Esq.andJohnPaone,Jr.,Esq.AwardRecog-nition:2020MartinGoldin&EdwardSchoifetFamilyLawAwards.Cost:$20-MCBAMembers;and$40-Non-MemberAttorneys.(Seepage9fordetails.)

January21–Thursday@2:00p.m.TRIALPRACTICECLE(1.5Credits)–TryingCivilCas-esIn-PersonUnderCOVID-19Restrictions.(RebroadcastofNovember10thprogram.Speakers:Hon.MichaelToto,AJSC;Hon.JamieHappas,PJCV;Hon.ColleenFlynn,PJCR;Hon.MichaelCresitello,Jr.,JSC;Hon.PedroJimenez,JSC;andGeorgeShamy,Jr.,Esq.Cost:$25-MCBAMembers;and$50-Non-Members.January26–Tuesday@9:00a.m.TAXATIONCOMMITTEEVIRTUALCLE(1.5Credits)-Topic:TBA.Cost:$10. February4–Thursday@4:00p.m.REALESTATELAWCLE(2Credits)–18thAnnualRealEstateLawReview.Speaker:ThomasJ.Denitzio,Jr.,Esq.Cost:$25-MCBAMembers;and$50-Non-MemberAttorneys.March18–Thursday@3:00p.m.ETHICS/PROFESSIONALISMCLE(1.5Credits)–Top-ic/SpeakersTBA.Cost:$20-MCBAMembers;and$40-Non-Members.March18–Thursday@4:15p.m.16THANNUALPRACTICEAREAAWARDSRECOG‐NITION–Annualawardstoattorneysinthefollowingpracticeareas:Civil,Criminal,MunicipalCourt,Trans-actional,ChanceryandYoungLawyer.Thereisnocosttoattend.

AlleventswillbeheldviaZoomunlessotherwiseindicated.TheMCBAisanapprovedproviderofcontinuinglegaleducationinNewJerseyandallCLEprogramslistedabovewillmeettherequirementsoftheBCLEoftheSupremeCourtofNJ.

2021‐22CallforNominations:FutureBarLeadersWantedforOf icerandTrusteePositions

Wanted:intelligent,energeticlawyerswithtimetodevotetovital,non-pro itprofessionalassociation.MusthaveinnovativeideasforpositivechangeonaBoardofTrusteesdevotedtoenhancingrelation-shipsamongmembersoftheprofession,lawyersandthejudiciary,andbetweenlawyersandthepublic.Greatopportunityforprofessionalgrowthandnetworking.Pastleadershipexperienceaplus.EqualOpportunityBoard.Interestedcandidatesshouldsubmitaresumeandletteroutliningtheirquali icationsto:DariaVenezia,Esq.,Chair,NominatingCommitteec\oMiddlesexCountyBarAssociation87BayardStreetNewBrunswick,NJ08901

ApplicationscanalsobeemailedtotheBarOf [email protected],December15,2020.

TheinternetandsocialmediahavebecomeprimaryenginesofFirstAmendmentspeech,economicactivi‐ty,andmaintainingsocialandfamilyrelationships.WellbeforeCOVID-19andthepracticeof

physical“socialdistancing,”Americancourtsacknowledgedtheincreasingimportanceofaccesstoacomputer/smartdeviceandtheinternetineverydaylife.Indeed,our“newnormal”amidthepandemic(andconcernsoffuturepandemics)hasacceleratedsociety’sdependenceonsocialnetworks.Inthis“newnormal,”peopleincreasinglyrelyontheirsmartdevicesandinternetac-cessforcompletingeverydayactivitiessuchasbanking,pur-chaseofticketsformasstransportation,groceryshopping,medi-calcare,andincreasingly,accesstosocialmediaplatforms.

Theevolutionofcomputers,smartdevices,andtelecommu-nicationshasresultedinubiquitousengagementine-commerceandsocialmediausageonagrandscale.Today,networkscon-nectusersaroundtheworldinwaysthatwereunfathomabletwentyyearsago,andthepowerofamobilesmartdeviceinthehandsofachilddwarfseventhemostsophisticatedcomputernetworksavailableaslittleas25yearsago.AlthoughthenotionofaccesstosocialmediaasaconstitutionallyprotectedactivityintheUnitedStatesmayhavebeenunforeseentwentyyearsago,courtsnowacknowledgeaccessasabasicright.Thisarticleex-ploresrecentcaselawandthelegaltrajectoryofsocialmediaasaconstitutionallyprotectedactivity.RejectingBlanketBansonSocialMediaAccess

Asdigitaldependencyhasbecomewidespread,courtshavebeenforcedtoaddressthebasicneedforaccesstocomputers,theinternet,andmostrecently,socialmedianetworks.Inthelasttenyears,therehasbeenaseriesofstateandfederalcasesthathaverefutedblanketrestrictionsdenyingaccesstothese.Consequently,nowanyrestrictionsplacedonaccesstocomput-ersandtheinternetmustbeexactinglytailoredto“legitimateandcompellingneedsofsociety”beforeanysuchrestrictionsmaybeimposed.ThecourtsarerecognizingthattheinternetandsocialmediaarenowprimaryenginesofFirstAmendmentspeech,economicactivity,andmaintainingsocialandfamilyre-lationships.RecentCaselawConcerningSocialMediaAccess

AccesstosocialmediaisattheheartoftherecentNewJer-seySuperiorCourtopinioninStatev.R.K.,DocketNos.A-2022-18T2/A-2024-18T2,2020WL1982276(decidedApril27,2020).ItisnocoincidencethatthisopinionshouldissueasCOVID-19becomesastateandnationalhealthemergencyandsocialdistancinghasdramaticallystimulatedpeopletousesocialmediatocommunicateandconnectwiththosephysicallydis-tancedfromthem,includingcolleagues,familyandfriends.

Evenconvictedsexoffenderscannotbesubjecttoa“blanketsocialmediaprohibition”withoutaclearlyarticulatedandspe-ci icjusti ication.Ourcourtshavecon irmedthataccesstosocialmediaisaconstitutionallyprotectedactivitythatmayonlyberestrictedwhensuchprohibitions:(1)arenarrowlytailored,(2)

AdjustingtotheNewNormal:COVID‐19StimulatesAcknowledgementbyNewJerseyCourtsofSocialMediaasaConstitutionalRightByEricMarcy,Esq.

servealegitimategovernmentinterest;and(3)donotburdenprotectedspeech.Anyprovisionthatlimitsaccesstosocialme-diamustbespeci ic,subjectto“objectivemeasurement,”andmustnotbeoverbroad.WhilecourtshavediscretioninimposingconditionsofsentencingandtheNewJerseyStateParoleBoardhasbroadauthorityinsettingspecialconditionsofsupervision,blanketprohibitionsofaccesstotheinternet—andnow,blanketprohibitionstoaccessingsocialmedia--arebeingstruckdown.

Givensocialdistancingasthe“newnormal,”andsociety’sincreasingdependenceondigitalparticipationinpolitical,eco-nomicandsocialactivity,accesstotheinternetandsocialmediaisnowrecognizedasanecessarypartoflifeandaconstitutional-lyprotectedactivity.

Astechnologytransformsoursociety,aswebecomemoreandmoredependentontechnologyforhowweinteractwitheachother,thecourtsareadaptingtomeetthenewchallengesthatarepresented.Welcometothenewnormalandtherecogni-tionoftheprimaryroletheinternetandnowsocialmediaplayinourlives.Forresourcesrelevanttotheseissues,checkout: UnitedStatesConstitution,FirstAmendment; NewJerseyConstitution,(1947)ArticleI,Paragraphs6and18; UnitedStatesv.Eaglin,913F.3d88,91(2dCir.2019); UnitedStatesv.Holena,906F.3d288,290(3dCir.2018); Statev.Hester,233N.J.381,388,186A.3d236(2018); Packinghamv.NorthCarolina,582U.S.–––,137S.Ct.1730,198L.Ed.2d273(2017); J.I.v.N.J.StateParoleBd.,228N.J.204,216,226n.6,155A.3d1008(2017); Jamgochianv.NewJerseyStateParoleBd.,196N.J.222,246,952A.2d1060(2008) TownTobacconistv.Kimmelman,94N.J.85,98,462A.2d573(1983); HoffmanEsts.v.Flipside,HoffmanEsts.,Inc.,455U.S.489,494-95,102S.Ct.1186,71L.Ed.2d362(1982)); 2WilliamJ.Rich,MODERNCONSTITUTIONALLAW274(West,3rded.2011&Supp.2019-2020); Note,RecentCase:CriminalLaw-SupervisedRelease-ThirdCircuitApprovesDecade-LongInternetBanforSexOffender,123HarvardL.Rev.776,779(2010); N.J.A.C.10A:71-6.11(b)(23)(mostrecentlydeterminedtobeunconstitutionallyoverbroadonitsface).EricMarcyisashareholderwithWilentz,Goldman&SpitzerP.A.Hehasbeenwiththe irmsince1985,handlingawiderangeofcriminal,civil,andadministrativelitigation.IfyouhaveanyquestionsaboutthisarticlepleasecontactEric(732)855‐[email protected],2020withpermissionfromtheauthorandWilentz,Goldman&Spitzer,PA.Furtherduplicationwithoutpermissionisprohibited.Allrightsreserved.

The Middlesex Advocate — December 2020 —

Mythsaboutwritingabound.Thisisespeciallytrueforlegalwriting.SothismonthI’lltalkabout iveso-calledrulesyoucan—andoftenshould—ignore.Myth#1–JudgesExpectMetoSoundLikeaLawyer

Eventhoughallsortsofbooks,articles,andlegal-edclassestellattorneystoavoidlegalese,it’samazinghowmuchofitstillseepsintobriefsandotherlegalwriting.Indeed,manylegalwritersthinktheyneeditto“soundlikealawyer.” Yetresearchshowstheopposite:Legaleseactuallyturnsjudgesoff.Studiesshowthatbriefswrittenusingtraditionallegaleseareperceivedtobe“substantivelyweakerandlessper-suasive”thanthosewritteninplainlanguage.2Andhere’sthekicker:Thejudgesandtheirstaffswhoparticipatedinthestudyassumed“thattheattorneyswhowroteinlegalesepossess[ed]lessprofessionalprestigethanthosewhowroteinplainEng-lish.”3 Thelesson:Don’tthinkyouneedtosoundlikealawyer.Skipthelegalese.

Myth#2–YouShouldIncludeinYourBriefEverythingYouUncoveredinYourResearch Ireadabriefrecentlywherethewriterspentnineparagraphstalkingaboutthepurposeofastatuteanditslegislativehistory.I iguredthelegalargumentturnedonhowthestatutewouldbeinterpreted.Itdidn’t.Infact,thewriternevereventriedtolinkthestatute’spurposeandhistorytotheargument.Whatawast-edeffort. IfIaskedtheattorneywhyheincludedallthisstuff,I’dproba-blyhearsomethinglikethis:“Iresearchedthelegalissuefordays,andIthoughtitwouldbeimpressivetoshowthedepthofmyresearch.”ButIwasn’timpressed.Thegoalwhenyouwriteabriefissimple:Convincethejudgetoruleinyourclient’sfavor.Everyword,sentence,andparagraphshouldbeusedtopropelthejudgetowardthatresult.

Now,I’mnotsayingjudgesdon’tlookforwell-researchedargu-ments.Theydo.Butwhenyouincludeeverythingyouuncov-eredinyourresearch—whetherrelevanttoyourargumentornot—youmakeyourbrieflesseffective,notmoreeffective.Myth#3–NeverStartaSentenceWith“But”or“And” You’lloftenhearpeoplesaythatyoucan’tuseconjunctionslikeand,or,but,yet,ornortostartasentence.Nonsense. ScanthefrontpagesofTheWallStreetJournal,TheNewYorkTimes,orUSAToday,andyou’llseeplentyofstorieswherepro-fessionalwritersbreakthisso-calledrule.Andforthosewhothinktheformalityoflegalwritingprovidesshelterforit,takealookatopinionsfromtheUnitedStatesSupremeCourt.AsImentionedinmylastcolumn,ChiefJusticeJohnRobertsandJus-ticeElenaKagan,forexample,oftenstartsentenceswiththesesnappytransitions.

HowtoSayIt:LegalWritingThatPersuades

FiveLegalWritingMythsYouCanIgnorebyHon.RobertJ.Jones,J.S.C.1

Butforsomereason,despiteitsdebunking,4themythpersists. That’snottosayyouwanttostarteverysentencewiththesetypesofconjunctions(knownascoordinatingconjunctions).Likeanywritingtool,usethemwhentheywork—whentheyhelpmakeyourpointeffectively. Forexample,sayyouwanttospotlightacontrast.Usetheperiodattheendofthe irstsentencetocreateanabruptstop(that’swhatperiodsdo),andthenbeginthenextsentencewithbut:

Before:Mostpeopleenjoywatchinglate‐nighttelevision,butI’mnotmostpeople.

After:Mostpeopleenjoywatchinglate‐nighttelevision.ButI’mnotmostpeople.

Nothingiswrongwiththe irstversion,andinmostcasesthat’sprobablyhowyou’dwanttowritethesentence.Butifyouwanttodrawspecialattentiontothecontrast,thesecondver-siondoesjustthat.Sonotonlycanyoustartasentencewithacoordinatingconjunction,therearetimesyoushould.Myth#4–GivetheBriefaQuickProofandGetItOut—EditingWastesTime Afterputtinghoursintowritingabrief,you’reprobablyanx-ioustomoveontootherthings—oreventakeawell-deservedbreak.Butdon’tforgetabouttheediting.Somelawyersdown-playtheimportanceofthisstepinthewritingprocess,buttheydosoatahugecost.Goodeditingleadstomoreeffectivebriefs. Asajudge,Iseebriefscrossmydeskallthetimethatareobvi-ouslyunedited.I’mnotjusttalkingaboutthebigstuff,liketypos,punctuationerrors,andgrammarmistakes.I’malsotalkingaboutbriefsthatneedpolishingtohelpthemmaketheirpoint—tomakethemshine.AswritingexpertWilliamZinsserex-plained:“Rewritingistheessenceofwritingwell—wherethegameiswonandlost.”5 I’llreturntoeditinginafuturecolumn,buthereareafewsug-gestionsinthemeantime.Forstarters,trytoputtimebetweendraftingandediting.IknowfromexperiencethatIreadthroughthemostobviouserrorswhenI inishwritingandthengodirect-lytoediting.Also, indsomeonetobeaneditor.Ioftenusemylawclerk,butifit’sanimportantdocument,I’llalsoaskforatrustedcolleague’sthoughts.And inally,readthebriefoutloud—yes,outloud.Iknowitsoundscorny,butwhenyoulistentohowsomethingsounds,you’remorelikelytoidentifyprob-lemsand indwaystoimprovethe low.Myth#5–WritetothePageLimit Someattorneyscomefromthemore-is-betterschool,butmostjudgeswilltellyouthatatightlywrittenbriefismoreeffec-tive.Forexample,accordingtofederaljudgessurveyedaboutbriefwriting,“concisenessisnotaspirational,itisessential.”6Thejudgescriticizedmanyofthebriefstheyreadasrambling,verbose,andrepetitive.7Toomanylawyers,asonejudgeputit,

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FIFTEENTH ANNUAL

MIDDLESEX COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION and MIDDLESEX COUNTY BAR FOUNDATION

HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS 2020 FUND DRIVE

"The size of the gift was less important to them than the fact that someone cared."

ANGELA B. MACKARONIS, DIRECTOR MIDDLESEX COUNTY BOARD OF SOCIAL SERVICES

February 4, 2013 & January 28, 2020, Respectively

As the year draws to a close, please join us in participating in the Fifteenth Annual Fund Drive to help the less fortunate of Middlesex County.

Last year your participation resulted in the collection of $12,650 which the Middlesex County Board of Social Services used to help thirty-seven elderly and disabled individuals residing in Middlesex County. Your kindness gave hope to the mother of an autistic nine-teen year old man; to a Hurricane Maria victim who was still struggling to find a perma-nent home for herself and her children; and to a woman who, after retiring early to care for her ailing mother, fell and fractured a hip and was unable to return to work because of her own medical complications. You helped a blind woman pay an outstanding utility bill. And you provided warm clothing for a family's children. You cared. Thank you for being there for these people.

Financial donations should be received at the bar association office no later than Friday, December 18th.

Checks should be made payable to the Middlesex County Bar Foundation,

reference the 2020 Hope for the Holidays Fund Drive, and either be brought or sent to:

Jonathan Cowles, Executive Director Middlesex County Bar Foundation

87 Bayard Street New Brunswick, New Jersey 08901

(732) 828-3433 ext. 102


CC Thisisafamilyofawidowedmotherandthreechil-dren.Thehusband/fatherwasemployedasalandscaper.Helosthisjobandsubsequentlyhislife,toCOVID-19.Hewenttothehospitalnotfeelingwell-andneverreturnedhome.CCcametotheBoardofSocialServicesseekinganyhelpthatcouldbeofferedtoherandherchildren.

RL Thisisafamilyofasinglefatherandtwochildrenwhocurrentlyresideinamotel.Oneofthetwochildrensuffersfromseverementalillness.Thechild'shistoryin-cludesanattemptedsuicideandanattemptedstranglingofhissibling.

CD Thisisafamilyofanolderwomanandhergrand-daughter.Thegranddaughter,whoisdeafinoneearandwithotherdisabilities,hasresidedwithhergrandmotherforthepast iveyears.Thefamilyexistsonthegrand-mother’slimitedincome.Theyhaverecentlybecomehomelessandcurrentlyresideinamotel.Thefamilyisinimmediateneedoffood,clothing,andlife'snecessities.

FM Thisisafamilyofawidowedfatherandhisthreeyoungdaughters.Thewife/motherdiedinAprilofthisyearfromCOVID-19.Thefatheriscurrentlyunemployedandstruggleswith indingworkwhilecaringforhischil-dren.HecannotapplyforUnemploymentInsuranceasheisundocumented.

SK Thisisafamilyofawidowedmotherandonechild.Thehusband/fatherdiedunexpectedlyinOctober.ThemotherreceivesUnemploymentInsurance,buttheamountreceivedisinsuf icienttocoverherrentanddailylivingexpenses.Nethershe,norherchild,areeligibleforSocialSecuritybene itsasthehusband/fatherlackedasuf icientworkhistory.

CB Thisisafamilyofanunemployedsinglemotherandoneyoungchild.ThemotherreceivesUnemploymentInsurance,butthebene itisgarnishedforbackchildsup-port.Thefamilycannotmakeendsmeet.ThefamilydoesreceivefoodstampsthroughtheSNAPprogrambutisineligibleforbene itsfromtheTemporaryAssistancetoNeedyFamiliesprogramduetothemother’sreceiptofunemploymentinsurancebene its.

The Middlesex Advocate — December 2020 — Page 7

MH Thisisafamilyofasinglemothersufferingfromseriousmentalhealthissuesandherthreechildren.Thementalhealthissuesimpedeher indingemployment.AnapplicationforSocialSecuritybene itsispending.

HR Thisisafamilyoftwoadultsand ivechildren.Themaleadulthasrecentlylosthisjobandisactivelyseekingwork.Sincehewaspaid“offthebooks,”heisineligibleforUnemploymentInsurance.Thefamilyisnowhomelessandlivinginonemotelroom.

SS Thisisafamilyofasinglefemalewho ledadomes-ticviolencesituationandhertwochildren.Thefamilyhasrecentlybeenabletomovefromasheltertosubsidizedhousingbutneedseverydaynecessitiestorestarttheirlives.

MB Thisisafamilyoftwoadultsandeightchildren,withaninthchildduesoon.ThemaleadultrecentlylosthisemploymentduetoCOVID-19.Hehopestoberehiredbutthereisnoindicationofthathappening.Oneofthechil-drenisdisabledandreceivesSocialSecuritybene its.Thefamilyhasquali iedforbene itsfromtheTemporaryAs-sistancetoNeedyFamiliesprogram.Theyarehavingdif i-cultyfeeding,clothing,andsupportingtheirfamily.

AR Thisisafamilyofasinglemotherandher ivechil-dren,ranginginagefromtwoyearstoelevenyears.Themotherisadomesticviolencevictimwhoisstrugglingtomakeendsmeetandprovideforherfamily.Herlifeisimproving.Recentlyshewasplacedinsubsidizedhous-ing,allowingthefamilytomovefromtheshelterwheretheywereliving.Herfamilyneedsbedsandbedding,fur-niture,warmclothing,andfood.Theolderchildrenneedatableordesksandacomputerfortheirschoolwork.

AA Isasingleadultmalewithmultiple,serioushealthissues.Astrokehaslefthimpartiallyparalyzedandhasaffectedhisspeech.Hewasrecentlydiagnosedwithcan-cer.InSeptemberofthisyeartheEmergencyAssistance/EmergencyHousingprogramhousedhimuntilhewasabletomoveintoasubsidizedapartment.HereceivesSocialSecuritybene itsandisfortunatelyabletomakeendsmeetwithhissubsidizedrentandfoodstamps.Heneedswarmclothingandessentialsforhisnewhome.

2020 HOPE FOR THE HOLIDAYS FUND DRIVE

ThisyearthePandemichasincreasedeveryone'sanxietyandstress.Isolationandlonelinesshavebecomecom-mon.Withinthepopulationthatweseektohelp,theproblemsareonlymagni ied.Inthiscontextwerenewourannualefforttotrytoeasesomeburdensandgivehope.Targetedbene iciariesthisyearinclude:

WithmythanksandbestwishestobothyouandyourfamiliesduringtheHolidaySeason,Iremain,

Verytrulyyours,JOHNS.SAWICKI,PastPresident2006-07MIDDLESEXCOUNTYBARASSOCIATIONChair,HopefortheHolidaysDrive

Duringthesetimesofuncertain-ty,weunderstandthatourbusi-nessclientsarefacedwithavarie-tyofnewchallenges.ProvidentBank’scashmanagementsolutionsofferauniqueapproachtore-spondtotheirneeds. Ourtoolsforcollectingreceivables,methodsforpayablesanddigitalbankingtechnologyallowourbusinessclientstobankwhen-ever,wherever—ontheirschedule,notours.ReceivablesOptions-collectingpaymentsisparamounttomaintain-ingcash low:

MobileDeposit–depositchecksfromanywhere RemoteDepositCapture–depositchecksconveniently

fromyourof iceevenifyouareworkingfromhome. LockboxServices–consistentcollectionofA/Rifyourstaff

can’tbeintheof icetocollectandprocesspayments ACHOrigination–collectfundselectronicallywhileincreas-

ingspeedandef iciency Autobooks–sendinvoicesandofferavarietyofpayment

optionsdigitally.PayablesOptions–vendorsstillneedtobepaidtoensureinventoryisavailable:

BusinessBillPayment–payyourbillsfromanywhere,even

CashManagementSolutions–MaintainingCashFlowasaCaseforContinuityPlanningBernadetteMacko,SeniorVicePresidentDirector,CorporateCashManagement

ifyoucan’tgettoyourphysicalcheckstock ACHOrigination–sendoutpaymentselectronically,securelyandswiftly WireTransfers–itmaybe

theonlyoptionavendorwillacceptforhighlydesirablein-ventoryproducts

SecurityProducts–takeextraprecautionsduringthisunprecedent-edtime:

CheckPositivePay–duringthisperiodofdisruption,thelastthingyouwanttodoishavetoreboundfromfraud

ACHPositivePay–don’tallowanyonetohaveaccesstovaluablebalanceswithoutpermission

We’reheretoprovidecounseltoyoutomaintainconsistencyandlexibilityasaplanforbusinesscontinuitywithoutallowingprice,limitsorprocesstopreventusfromofferingthebestsolutiontosolvetheimmediatepainpoints. AtProvidentBank,weareabletoquicklyobtaintheagreementsandapprovalstoputsolutionsinplaceremotelyuntilwecanallbetogetheragain.FormoreinformationonProvident’scashmanage-mentsolutions,visitourwebsiteathttps://www.provident.bank/business-planning/cash-management-servicesorfeelfreetocon-tactCashManagementClientSupportat732.590.9288

James P. Nolan, Jr., Esq. Law Offices of James P. Nolan & Associates

61 Green Street Woodbridge, NJ 07095

(732) 636-3344 [email protected]

Certified Criminal Trial Attorney for 25 years Former Assistant County Prosecutor

Former Municipal Court Public Defender

Representing Defendants in Superior and Municipal Court since 1990

Accepting Referrals in all Criminal Matters

Referral fees paid promptly pursuant to Rule 1:39-6.(d)


Annual Family Law CLE & Awards Recognition Monday, January 11th @ 3:00 p.m.

MCBA Annual Family Law CLE & Awards Event - 1/11/2021

Name(s):

Address:

Telephone #: Email:

CC#: Exp. Date: Sec. Code:

Amount Authorized: $ Name on Card:

Signature (for Credit Card Payment Only):

Cost: See pricing above. RSVP online at www.mcbalaw.com or send payment to Middlesex County Bar Association; 87 Bayard Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901. Meeting instructions will be sent to all who register in advance.

Member Non-Member

CLE Webcast

Awards Recognition

Both

Payment Type

Visa

MasterCard

Amex

Check

Pre-Event CLE Webcast @ 3:00 p.m.

Top Family Law Cases from 2020

Speakers:

This program has been approved by the BCLE of the Supreme Court of NJ for 1.5 hours of CLE credit, including 1.5 hours of credit towards ethics/professionalism. (Approved for NY CLE Credit.)

Cost to Attend Webcast: $20-MCBA Members and $40-Non-Member Attorneys No cost to attend the Recognition Event

2020 Martin S.Goldin Family Law Award to Raul Menar, Esq. Menar & Menar - New Brunswick

2020 Edward Schoifet Family Law Award

to Frank Tournour, Esq.

Tournour Law - East Brunswick

David M. Wildstein, Esq. Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, PA

Woodbridge

John P. Paone, Jr., Esq. Paone Zaleski & Murphy Woodbridge/Red Bank



Monthly Newsletter The Association’s newsletter is published monthly from Sep-tember to May and contains law-related articles, important notic-es from the court, a calendar of events and other news from around the legal community.

Access to current and past editions is available via the website (mcbalaw.com) and members who advertise in the newsletter receive 50% off the published rates.

New Bar Office Conference Room Facilities Members get free use of the Bar Of-fice conference room, located in New Brunswick (½ block from the courthouse). Join the growing list of

attorneys who use the room for depositions, mediations, private meetings, etc.

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) The MCBA was the first NJ County Bar

Association to be grant-ed Accredited Service Provider Status by the Supreme Court of NJ Board on Continuing

Legal Education for both live and online CLE. You can now earn all of your mandatory CLE

credits conveniently and affordably at the MCBA. Members enjoy a 50% discount on live

seminar tuition and get members-only pricing for online seminars! There is no better CLE

value anywhere!

Career Center

Find the best jobs in the legal profession. Search for jobs quickly and easily, set-up Job

Alerts, place your job openings in front of high-ly skilled bar members.

Annual Bar Awards

The MCBA recognizes outstanding contribu-tions made by bar members in the following

areas: Service to the Bar; Lawyer Achievement; Family Law; Pro Bono; Transactional; Civil Trial

Practice; Criminal Trial Practice; Municipal Court Practice, Chancery Practice and Young

Lawyers. The Family Law Awards are presented in January, the other practice area awards are

presented at the March Awards Dinner, and the David Pavlovsky “Service to the Bar” Award

and Arthur H. Miller Lawyer Achievement Award are presented at the May and/or Septem-

ber General Membership Meetings.

Attorney Mentor Program Through this new program lawyers seeking ad-

vice and guidance will be matched up with expe-rienced attorneys willing to help. Having some-

one you trust to ask questions as you navigate the professional world, can make the difference between struggling and success. Mentorship will

cover practice specific areas as well as general practice, ethics, and more.

Committees & Sections

Committee/Section participation offers opportunities to play an active role in shaping

events which influence the practice and the profession, and also provides a social setting in

which to share ideas and hear speakers with expertise in varied practice areas. Visit the web-

site for a complete list of committees.

Through a partnership program with Provident Bank get preferred rates and fees

for commercial loans and mortgages, ProvidentConnect for Business Online

Banking, free wire transactions and initial check orders, a free safe deposit box and discounted merchant services; Business

Advantage Relationship Package for clients of bar members; and EmployeeAdvantage Program for employees of bar members.

“Attorneys First” Banking Program

Lawyers Professional Liability Program

Contact Couch Braunsdorf Insurance Group for all of your professional liability

insurance needs as well as life insurance. For information on PLI and/or life, business over-

head and long-term care insurance visit the website at www.mcbalaw.com.

Environmental Consultation Services Programs

Excel offers the following expert environmen-tal consultation services to all attorney mem-

bers of the Association and their clients with a special MCBA member discount:

No cost initial consultation for MCBA

members for any environmental compli-ance or issue;

10% cost savings on Excel expert profes-sional services, excluding any outside subcontractors if/as needed; and

The inherent value associated with Excel's ability to redirect problem projects and balance technical innovation, economic feasibility, and agency acceptability with a clear focus on achieving project closure in a timely, cost-effective, and compliant manner.


BarMemberWillardShihAdmittedtoAmericanCollegeofTrialLawyers

WillardC.Shih,ashareholderofWilentz,Goldman&Spitzer,P.A.,hasbecomeaFellowoftheAmericanCollegeofTrialLaw-yers,oneofthepremierlegalassociationsinNorthAmerica. ThevirtualinductionceremonyatwhichShihbecameaFel-lowtookplaceonSeptember25,2020beforeanaudienceof670Fellowsduringthe2020AnnualMeetingand70thAnni-versaryCelebrationoftheCollege. Foundedin1950,theCollegeiscomposedofthebestofthetrialbarfromtheUnitedStates,CanadaandPuertoRico.Fel-lowshipintheCollegeisextendedbyinvitationonly,andonlyaftercarefulinvestigation,tothoseexperiencedtriallawyersofdiversebackgroundswhohavemasteredtheartofadvocacyandwhoseprofessionalcareershavebeenmarkedbythehigh-eststandardsofethicalconduct,professionalism,civilityandcollegiality.Lawyersmusthaveaminimumof ifteenyearstrialexperiencebeforetheycanbeconsideredforFellowship. MembershipintheCollegecannotexceedonepercentofthetotallawyerpopulationofanystateorprovince.Therearecur-rentlyabout5,800membersintheUnitedStates,CanadaandPuertoRico,includingactiveFellows,EmeritusFellows,Judi-cialFellows(thosewhoascendedtothebenchaftertheirin-duction)andHonoraryFellows.TheCollegemaintainsandseekstoimprovethestandardsoftrialpractice,professional-ism,ethics,andtheadministrationofjusticethrougheducationandpublicstatementsonindependenceofthejudiciary,trialbyjury,respectfortheruleoflaw,accesstojustice,andfairandjustrepresentationofallpartiestolegalproceedings.TheCol-legeisthusabletospeakwithabalancedvoiceonimportantissuesaffectingthelegalprofessionandtheadministrationofjustice. WillisamemberoftheManagementCommitteeatWilentz,Goldman&Spitzer,P.A.andashareholderinthe irm’sCom-mercialLitigationpractice.Fornearly20years,hehasbeenatWilentz,representingbusinessesofallsizesfromFortune500companiestofamily-ownedbusinessesandindividualsincom-plexcommercialdisputes.Healsorepresentsnational,regionalandlocallaw irmsincasesinvolvingclaimsofprofessionalnegligence,breachof iduciaryduty,fraud,andcivilconspiracy.HehasbeenappointedbytheNewJerseySupremeCourttoserveonmultiplepanelsandcommittees,includingitsCivilPracticeCommittee,theRulesofEvidenceCommittee,andtheDisputeResolutionCommittee.WillalsoservedasPanelChairofaFeeArbitrationCommitteeandasChairoftheDistrictVIIIEthicsCommitteeoftheNewJerseySupremeCourttoinvesti-gateandadjudicatedisputesinvolvingattorneys.ThenewlyinductedFellowisanalumnusofFordhamUniversitySchoolofLaw.

MCBASeeksNominationsforAnnualPracticeAreaAwardsDinnerTheBarAssociationwillholdits16thAnnualAwards

RecognitionEventonMarch18,2021.Awardswillbegiventobarmembersinthefollowingareas:ProBono;CivilTrialPractice;CriminalTrialPractice;MunicipalCourtPractice;Chancery;Transactional;andYoungLawyers.

ThepurposeofthePracticeAreaAwardsistorecognizeattorneyspracticinginMiddlesexCountyandadjacentmu-nicipalitieswhodevoteasigni icantportionoftheirworktotheirrespectivespecialtyareasandexhibitoneormoreofthefollowing:

Leadershipinthepotentialcandidate’s ieldofprac-tice;

Signi icant,tangiblecontributionstotheBar,suchasprovidingCLE,servingonBarcommittees,etc.,per-tainingtonon-litigationissues;

Signi icant,tangiblecontributionstothecommunityand/orcharitableendeavors;

ArecordofpromotingparticipationandinvolvementintheMCBAandcollegialitywithintheAssociation;and

Areputationforpersonalandprofessionalintegrity.

ThepurposeoftheYoungLawyeroftheYearAwardistorecognize attorneyswhomeet one ormore of the followingconditions:

Devotesubstantialtimeandenergytocommunity-orientedactivitiessuchasprobonowork,governmentservice,charityinvolvementorotherpublicservice;

Dedicateconsiderablevolunteertimetobaractivitiesatthecountyorstatelevel,includingspecialtyandminoritybars;and/or

Havereceivedprofessionalrecognitionthroughpubli-cations,excellenceinaparticularareaoflaw,asigni i-cantverdictorlaw-changingappellatedecision,orothersuchprofessionalachievement.

ThepurposeoftheProBonoAwardistorecognizeattor-

neyswhohavedevotedsubstantialtimeandeffortdoingprobonoworkthroughtheCentralJerseyLegalServicesCorpo-ration.

TheBarAssociationinvitesthesubmissionofnamesofthoseindividualswhomyoubelievetobeappropriatecandi-dates.Pleaseincludeabriefexplanationastowhyyoube-lievetheindividualyounameisanappropriatecandidateforoneoftheseawards.Thecandidatesshouldbebarmemberswhoarewellrecognizedforcharacterandcompetence,indi-vidualswhoarerespectedbyallandlookeduponasmodelsofprofessionalbehavior.

Lastyear’srecipientswereAndreaSullivan(ProBono),LynneKizis(Civil),DeniseThomas(Criminal),MarkCintron(MunicipalCourt),SenwanAkhtar(Transactional),RichardRomano(Chancery)andVictoriaPaone(YoungLawyer).

PleasesubmitnamesforconsiderationtotheattentionofExecutiveDirectorJonathanCowlesatjcowles@mcbalaw.combyDecember15th.

opinionsarefreefromthethreatofbecomingpoliti-calfodderorfearofretribution.Basicprinciplesoffairnessanddueprocessdictatethatjudicialcareersshouldnotbeusedasbargainingchipsortoolsusedtosettlepoliticalscores.TheMCBAhasalongtradi-tionofsupportingourjudiciary,endorsingtheprinci-pleofjudicialindependenceandpromotingtheintegri-tyofourjusticesystem.Weremainproudlycommittedtothoseprinciples.

Inachallengingyearinwhichitseemseasytofeelwehavenothingtobethankfulfor,Iwanttoofferthanks.Iwanttogivethanksforthegoodfortuneoflivinginademocraticsocietyandforthefreedomsandguaranteesthatcomealongwithit.Iwanttogivethanksforthepeo-pleinmylife-myfamily,mycolleaguesandmyfriends.Imissyoualldearlyandcannotwaittoseeyouinperson.Hanginthere,2020isalmostoverandIthinkwecanallagreethatwearethankfulforthat.AmostsincereandheartfeltHappyHolidaystoallandhere’stoabrighter2021!

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“writeforthesakeofwriting.Theydonoteditandboilmattersdowntotheiressentials.”8Inaddition,asanotherjudgeex-plained,“importantandconcisepoints”areoften“lostinaseaofirrelevantpoints.”9 Itcomesdowntothis:Knowwhatyouwanttosay,andsayitclearlyandconcisely.Ifyoudo,yourbriefwillstandout.Nextmonth:Thetop‐tentoolsyouneedtobecomeabetterlegalwriter.1Thankyoutomyformerlawclerk,SamHowie,Esq.,forhishelpwiththisarticle.2RobertW.BensonandJoanB.Kessler,Legalesev.PlainEnglish:AnEmpiricalStudyofPersuasionandCredibilityinAppellateBriefWriting,20Loy.L.A.L.Rev.301(1987).3Id.at301-02.4See,e.g.,BryanA.Garner,TheWinningBrief:100TipsforPersuasiveBrie inginTrialandAppellateCourts329-37(3ded.);Merriam-Webster’son-line,UsageNotes:IsitEverOkaytoStartaSentenceWith“And”?https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/words-to-not-begin-sentences-with(accessed8/16/20).5What20FamousAuthorsHadtoSayAboutRewriting,WritersWrite,https://www.writerswrite.co.za/what-20-famous-authors-had-to-say-about-rewriting/(accessed11/11/20).6KristenKonradRobbins-Tiscione,TheInsideScoop:WhatFederalJudgesReallyThinkAbouttheWayLawyersWrite,8LegalWriting257,279(2002).7Id.8.Id.9.Id.

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In 2018, the Lawyer Referral Service connected over 3,000 callers with panel attorneys, and LRS panel members collected over $500,000 in fees from clients calling our service.

Lawyer Referral - A 24/7 online public service that can translate into increased client base and income for you and your law firm.

It is easy to join - To request an application, call us at 732-828-3433, ext. 100.

MCBA Lawyer Referral & MCBA Lawyers

The MCBA Lawyer Referral Service has been certified by the ABA since 1996 and is one of only two ABA certified programs in New Jersey.

Office Suite for Rent for Professional in CPA Firm

Separate entrance & waiting room,

Sunny, copy/print center

Conference room, internet, parking, partially furnished, 175 sq. ft

Two Miles from

Middlesex Court House

Route 27 Edison/Highland Park Border

Call Patricia 732-777-1158

87 Bayard Street New Brunswick, NJ 08901

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