After extensive discussion and careful consideration, the NJAJ Nominating Committee is pleased to unanimously present a slate of officers and national representatives for the 2026-2027 year.
The Nominating Committee would also like to express its gratitude to all of the candidates who expressed interest and interviewed for the positions under consideration.
Below is the slate of officers and national representatives nominees for the upcoming year.
|
Diane L. Cardoso, Esq.
Kearny
|
President-Elect
|
|
K. Raja Bhattacharya, Esq.
West Orange
|
First Vice President
|
|
Deborah S. Dunn, Esq.
Marlton
|
Second Vice President and Diversity Officer
|
|
Jared M. Placitella, Esq.
Red Bank
|
Third Vice President
|
|
Melissa M. Baxter, Esq
Cherry Hill
|
Treasurer
|
|
Jacquelyn R. Matchett, Esq.
Mount Laurel
|
Secretary
|
|
Christine V. Lafferty, Esq.
Cherry Hill
|
Assistant Secretary
|
|
William Wright, Esq.
Manahawkin
|
Parliamentarian
|
| |
|
|
Kathleen M. Reilly, Esq.
Kearny
|
State Delegate
|
| |
|
|
Judie A. Saunders, Esq.
Red Bank
|
AAJ Minority Caucus Representative
|
|
|
|
This slate of nominees will be presented to the membership for voting at the annual Membership Meeting and Election of Officers at 9:00 am on Thursday, April 30, 2026, during Boardwalk Seminar® 2026, at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, NJ.
President-Elect Richard J. Albuquerque, Esq. becomes President automatically under the election procedures of NJAJ.
The alternative procedure for election to office under the By-Laws is for members to submit a petition of nomination signed by twenty-five (25) members in good standing to the Nominating Committee on or before Monday, April 20, 2026.
The members of the Nominating Committee are:
Chair:
Members:
- K. Raja Bhattacharya, Esq.
- Diane L. Cardoso, Esq.
- Brian Drazin, Esq.
- Dominick J. Gargano Esq.
- Eric Kahn, Esq.
- Scott G. Leonard, Esq.
- Michael J. Maggiano, Esq.
- Jeffrey S. Monaghan, Esq.
MY NJAJ
.png)
%20(002).png)
.png)
.png)
