While the calendar year may be winding down and people’s attention is on the holidays, there is much on the NJAJ plate.

NJAJ’s advocacy continues unabated as many bills of interest and importance to trial lawyers and the clients we represent continue to be introduced.

Recently Jeffrey S. Monaghan, Esq. and I were in Trenton to testify in favor of a bill that makes clear that attorneys’ fees in Workers’ Compensation cases should be on a contingency basis. This ensures that those injured while on the job have the ability to seek legal representation.

We are closely monitoring a number of bills during the current “lame duck” legislative session that runs until the new Legislature is sworn in in January.

This time of year is a reminder of those things for which we are thankful. And as president of NJAJ I have a lot to be thankful for.

We held a very successful Meadowlands Seminar 2023 last month. I am grateful to all of the attendees, the faculty, the program co-chairs and the exhibitors who contributed to a terrific event.

I especially want  to thank  the co-chairs, especially Gerald H. Baker, Esq., E. Drew Britcher, Esq. and Marc C. Saperstein, Esq., who have been chairing the seminar since its inception 17 years ago. Thanks too to the other co-chairs of Meadowlands Seminar 2023:  K. Raja Bhattacharya, Esq., Deborah S. Dunn, Esq. and Jared M. Placitella, Esq.

Thank you also to Executive Director Cornelius Larkin and the entire NJAJ staff for the tremendous effort they put in to make the Meadowlands Seminar a spectacular event. They make us look good and need to be recognized. Next time you interact with them, please thank them for a job well done.

If you were not able to attend the Meadowlands Seminar, you can purchase some of the programs through The CLE Store^®_. More information on how to purchase programs is available in this issue.

Many thanks too  to everyone who contributed to our various charitable activities – the NJAJ Turkey Drive, the Coat Drive and the NJAJ Holiday Project. I was always taught the importance of helping those in need and one of the more meaningful experiences of my year as president is seeing that so many of you feel the same way.

Looking forward, the Winter Seminar 2024 will take place on Thursday, February 22, 2024, at the Palace at Somerset Park in Somerset.

That same evening, we will hold in the same location the annual NJAJ Awards Dinner to honor a stellar group of award recipients. You can read  more elsewhere in this issue.

The Boardwalk Seminar 2024 will take place Wednesday – Friday, April 17 – 19, 2024  at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City.

Mark your calendars now for these three great events.

The closing of the year reminds me that my term as president of NJAJ is already half over.

We will soon start planning for the installation of my good friend and successor Adam B. Lederman, Esq., as the new president of NJAJ. Adam will be a tremendous leader as we march to the quarter mark of this century.

I wish all of you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2024.

Until next year…