LEGISLATIVE UPDATE:

Since our last Board of Governor’s meeting, the Legislature’s annual budget break ended and regular legislative business has picked up. On May 13, the full Senate voted on S-2822, which would, at the discretion of the judge, increase the fee of workers’ compensation attorneys to 25%. The bill passed on a vote of 27 for and 9 against. Later that week, Jeffrey S. Monaghan, Esq. testified on behalf of NJAJ on the Assembly version of the same bill, identified in the Assembly as Bill A-3986, in the Assembly Labor Committee. The bill was released by that committee by a vote of 9-2.

The bill that makes changes to New Jersey’s OPRA law was fast tracked for amendment in both Senate and Assembly committees and voted on by the full Senate and Assembly on May 13. The bill is now on the Governor’s desk. NJAJ notified both the bill sponsors and leadership in the Senate and Assembly of our concerns with changes to the existing law’s fee-shifting provisions. Similarly, we expressed our concerns to the Governor’s Office. There are many other bills that are being monitored and worked on. NJAJ will notify you on the progress of these bills as they make their way through the process.  

PRIMARY ELECTION:

New Jersey’s Democratic and Republican primaries are being held on Tuesday, June 4. Early, in-person voting began on Wednesday, May 29 and ends on Sunday, June 2. If you are interested in voting early, you can find a polling location here. Please remember to vote, either by mail or in person. You can find all the information you need about how to vote here. 

BOARDWALK SEMINAR 2024 - In the Books:

Last month’s Boardwalk Seminar was a success on every count. Thank you to all who registered and attended the three-day event. I am confident that attendees learned useful information that you can apply immediately. Mark your calendars for next year’s event taking place Wednesday – Friday, April 29 – May 1, 2025 at Harrah’s. Be sure to check out the Photo Gallery in the related article.

ELECTION AND INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS:

The annual election of Officers took place at the April 18 Membership Meeting. See the related article for the names and positions of the officers. The Installation Dinner will take place Tuesday, June 18 at The Grove in Cedar Grove, NJ. We anticipate that close to 400 people will attend. If you have not yet registered, there is still time to do  purchase a ticket and place and ad.

PROFESSIONALISM AWARD:

Join me in congratulating NJAJ Past President Kevin M. Costello, Esq. as he is recognized by the New Jersey Commission on Professionalism in the Law as NJAJ’s 2023 Professional Lawyer of the Year. Kevin, along with the other honorees, will be recognized at a luncheon, which takes place on Tuesday, June 11^th beginning at 12 noon at the Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township. You can register here for the event.

MEADOWLANDS SEMINAR 2024:

The Meadowlands Seminar Co-Chairs met recently to plan the Wednesday – Friday, November 20 – 22, 2024 event that will take place at the Hilton Meadowlands Hotel in East Rutherford, NJ. The individual programs will be added to the website as they develop. You can register for the event now. The exhibit hall and a link to make a hotel reservation are also at NJAJ’s website.