Here is Jonathan H. Lomurro's Installation speech given on June 25, 2025:

Evening—

I first want to extend my deepest thanks to Judge Comer— a distinguished former president of this great association whose influence has helped shape my career.

Your friendship, guidance, and, of course, your barbequed ribs have left a lasting mark on me. Thank you.

Friends—

Tonight, I stand before you, filled with humility and gratitude.

To be entrusted to lead NJAJ.

We are more than an association.

We are defenders of dignity, champions of justice, and the voice for those too often left unheard.

We stand guard for the civil justice system, and safeguard of the sacred right to trial by jury.

Our work amplifies the unheard cries of the injured, the neglected, and the accused.

But there is only one reason I am able to speak to you tonight.  It is because of my family’s endless support.  They lift me up every day.

And at the center of that family is my wife, Heather—you are my refuge, my reason, my rock.

Now back in the 90’s, as a favor to a friend, I attended the Freehold Township prom. The details of the night are a little hazy, but one thing will always remain known. Heather was also there—with someone else.

And somehow, Heather spotted me.  And she made sure we’d cross paths.

Not many people can say they were their wife’s date to her Sweet Sixteen. But I can.

Almost three decades later, you continue to make me laugh.  You inspire me.  You’ve been there through law school, through trials, and through the NJAJ leadership. And during that time, you’ve been beside me.

Heather, you are the compass guiding our family journey, though, let’s be honest, the destination you set is usually to Disney.  Still wherever we go, you lead the way.  I drive.  But you navigate.

And you are the heartbeat of our three incredible daughters—Jema, Jade, and June.

To my cherished J girls: you are my joy, my inspiration, and my greatest hope.

Every day, you remind me that the future is worth fighting for.

Many years ago, I was representing a woman who lost her husband due to a doctor’s delay in diagnosing his cancer.  After the long and difficult trial, I came home emotionally drained.

A few days later, that same client sent a gift; not for me, but for my daughters: a copy of the book, Little Women.

Inside the cover, she had written a message: "To Jema, Jade, and June… From someone your daddy helped."

Please know this: I can only help others because of the love you provide me each day.

You make it all possible.  You give meaning to the world.

Remember, Justice starts with a “J.”

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My support doesn’t stop at home—it extends to the halls of Lomurro Law, where I am proud to work.

My father, law partner, and FIJI brother, Donald “Michael” Lomurro—Pops—

Your wisdom and values have lit the path I walk.

Some of my fondest memories are from the old office porch on Main Street, watching the Memorial Day Parade, while catching glimpses of you flicking your oversized Rutgers ring in the air, in mid-conversation, without ever letting it fall to the floor.

I didn’t realize it then, but you were planting seeds.

Steph, Donna, and Chardo can attest… You never let us win—not in board games, not in sports, not even in Sorry! But that was your way of teaching us to compete, to strategize, and to never expect anything to come easy.

You took me to “lawyer camp” when I was ten.  I mean, who goes to lawyer camp? At fourteen, you dropped me off at the library, having convinced me that I needed to learn how to legally copyright my band’s music before someone would steal it;

Side note: no one wanted to steal it, most didn’t want to listen to it.

But the most powerful seed you ever planted?  Was the way your face lit up when someone mentioned the law.

You showed me that practicing law isn’t a job—it’s a calling. A way to change the world, one client at a time.

You still love the practice of law. And because of you—I do too.

And to another partner, my brother, Rich—Moose—or as I call him call "Chardo."

He probably doesn’t remember why I call him that. But way back, we’d watch I Love Lucy reruns on Nick at Nite. Ricky Ricardo, a character on the show, had this magnetic charm and confidence that reminded my of brother.

So, I started calling him Richardo… which, of course, became Chardo. And the name stuck.

Chardo, you still have that spark. You can charm an adjuster, generate a case by just saying hello to a random person on line at Wawa, and you can light up a jury in five minutes flat.

But tonight, I’ll be watching—to make sure you don’t pull your usual Houdini act before the fireworks.

And then there’s my older sister, Donna—the head of the Lomurro kids, general of the firm.

I don’t know her official title… because I think she holds all of them. HR, accounting, marketing, hiring, firing, crisis control, party-planning. At the firm, as in life—Donna runs everything.  She takes on every pressure with grace.

Donna lives life at a crazed 11. But even she need grounding.

And that’s where Erik comes in—my brother-in-law, fellow attorney, firm partner, and Donna’s calm in the chaos.

Now, not all of my partners share my last name—but they all share the same drive.   Eric Lubin and Tina Munson thank you.

Tina, it is an honor to have our firm name carry yours. You are a fighter, a friend, and fierce advocate. 

Abbott—you’ve been a mentor whose wisdom run deep and drive unsurpassed. And when things get difficult, you always remind me “the future is so bright, we gotta wear shades.”

And to Christina Vassilou Harvey—thank you again for that beautiful and humorous introduction.

Your way with words turns my chaos into clarity. Together, we’ve changed the law—and we’re just getting started.

You have a brilliant legal mind, grit, and a dangerously sharp sense of humor.

To the best damn Med Mal team in the state—Rosemary, Spencer, Matt, Richard, Joanne, Erica, Lorin, and Casey—you’re the engine that drives us.

You each bring a different strength, a unique insight. Together we find the truth through obstruction.

And to the rest of the attorneys and dedicated staff at Lomurro Law: your efforts and loyalty don’t go unnoticed.

Thank you.

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Of course, there is one sibling who escaped Central Jersey—Steph.

She went north but is never far. Always traveling, yet always in reach.

Steph took the law into her own hands—by founding MELD Law, a family law firm in North Jersey.

She went out on her own. And did it with grace, strength, and integrity.

In building your practice, you have built an amazing life; with an amazing partner, Laura. This reflects everything good in you.

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And now, for the heart of the home—the one who deserves the most credit. She raised four kids, endured years of debates at the dinner table, dealing with the high-decibel loud-talking Lomurros, never once asking for quiet.

Mom, Pat—your love is patient, persistent, and your strength profound.

You are my morning counselor, my long-drive lifeline, and my first phone call on every courthouse drive.

I remember every piece of advice you’ve ever given; even if I didn’t always follow it.

I appreciate the time you had me sit through the entirety of Stairway to Heaven; and introduced me to the beauty of music and art.

And to dad’s sorrow, I remember when you pointed to a businessman on a New York sidewalk—full three-piece suit, long hair—and said, “See that man? You can succeed without losing who you are.”

That one stuck.  Thank you.

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Friends, the weight we carry is not measured in pounds—but in people.

What we do is not easy.

We don’t just argue cases—we carry stories.

We don’t just serve clients—we serve causes.

We don’t just analyze facts—we absorb trauma.

We walk into battle armed not with wealth or political clout—but with truth, tenacity, and the courage to stand up when no one else will.

 

We fight in the courtroom, We fight in the legislature, And we fight in the court of public opinion, a place where perception too often outruns principle.

This work is noble.

This work is necessary.

But let us never pretend that this work is easy.

Far too often, the weight becomes too much. The pressure too quiet. The toll too hidden.

And we lose some of our brightest, our boldest, our best—not to defeat in the courtroom, but to exhaustion outside of it.

That is why one of my highest priorities is not just to protect the public—but to protect the protector.

 

Because we cannot lift others if we ourselves have fallen.

And if you ever need a moment, a conversation, or just someone to listen—call me. Knock on a colleague’s door. Turn to the people in this room. That’s what a community does. That’s what a family does.  That is what our association does.

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Our mission, as vital as it is to care for ourselves, reaches far beyond personal wellness.

It stretches into the heart of our democracy—into the very defense of the rule of law.

And it is under attack.

The rule of law is silent—until we speak for it.

It is defenseless—until we rise for it.

It is invisible—until we embody it.

It does not defend itself

Accountability. Equality. Transparency. Access to justice. Our Fundamental rights.

That is the rule of law.

And make no mistake—it is being tested.  Insurance companies and Corporations are out to attack consumers and strip away their rights. 

Without it, justice becomes a matter of convenience

Without it, fairness fades and corruption grows.

So, we must not whisper our message.

We must amplify it.

Because if we don’t tell our story, someone else will—

And they will get it wrong.

And this work—this noble, necessary work—is only possible because of the extraordinary staff of NJAJ.

Corny, Debbie, Diane, Ann, Meghan, Michael, Dawn, Beatrice, Brendan—and every member of the tireless, brilliant team working behind the scenes—you are the heartbeat of this organization.

You are the engine that turns belief into motion, and motion into momentum.

From the first phone call to the final seminar slide, you are the reason we rise.

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Our profession, like our greatest cases, is built on continuity—on stories passed down, wisdom paid forward, and footsteps that became foundations.

We stand on the shoulders of giants.

Giants who mentored us, molded us, and moved us.

Those who didn’t just teach us how to practice law—but how to pursue justice

And now, it is our time to return the favor.

We must invest in tomorrow’s torchbearers—our students, young lawyers, and solo practitioners—the future voices of justice who will carry our cause further than we’ve ever imagined.

 

I want congratulate the elected officers and members of the board.  As President, I look forward to all of your suggestions, concerns and complaints… and I will be forwarding them all directly to Rick Albuquerque, President-Elect.

As for Adam Lederman, our immediate past president, my colleague, and friend—thank you.

Your calm command, your steady leadership, and your unwavering commitment have lifted this association to new heights.  You’re a tough act to follow.

I am honored to carry your legacy forward—just as you carried the legacy of all those who came before you.

What we do this year is critical.

Not just to our association.

Not just to our profession.

But for all people.

This is not a year for resting.

Not a year for retreating.

This is a year for rising.

As Springsteen sang—“Come on, rise up.”

And so—we rise.

We rise to Protect the rule of law

We rise to Promote the voice of justice

We rise to Prepare the next generation

To rise not as individuals, but as one powerful voice for justice.

So let us savor this night.

Celebrate what we’ve built.

And tomorrow…

Let’s rise together—and get to work!

Thank you.