First and foremost, I want to extend my appreciation to everyone who helped make this year’s Boardwalk Seminar® another outstanding success. With more than 1,600 attendees, 30 MCLE‑accredited programs, 280 speakers, and 250 exhibit booths, the event delivered an exceptional experience for all.

Advocacy Update

If you were there, you likely also heard from me or another NJAJ officer during a program room visit about NJAJ’s ongoing advocacy efforts regarding an issue affecting our members and, more importantly, injured New Jerseyans. Legislation being pushed by Uber has been introduced in both the New Jersey Senate and Assembly, and it threatens to reduce the current mandatory UM/UIM coverage for Transportation Network Companies from $1.5 million to the state minimum of just $35,000.

The urgency and seriousness of this legislation required NJAJ leadership to deviate from our usual seminar‑room welcome remarks and instead use our time before you to broaden awareness and seek your support on this critical issue.

Thank you to all who have already answered the call by contributing to NJAJ PAC and the New Jersey Senate Democratic Majority PAC, and to those who have shared client case stories demonstrating the importance of maintaining current coverage limits. If you have not yet contributed, or are able to increase your support, please consider doing so.

And if you have a case where existing UM/UIM protections were essential to securing recovery, please send a brief overview to info@nj-justice.org.

I also want to highlight several key NJAJ events and milestones from the past few weeks and the months ahead.

Welcoming NJAJ’s 2026–2027 Leadership Team

President-Elect Richard J. Albuquerque, Esq. and the 2026–2027 elected officers and national representatives will be sworn in on Thursday, June 25, 2026, during An Evening at Caesars Installation Dinner at Caesars Atlantic City from 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm. Information on purchasing tickets and tribute book ads can be found here.

Additional Upcoming Events

On Saturday, May 30, 2026, we will host NJAJ’s 2nd Annual Family Day from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm at Roosevelt Park in Edison, NJ. 

Last year’s inaugural NJAJ Family Day was a memorable and fun experience for all, and I hope you will join us again for another afternoon of connection and community. Register yourself and your family now to join in the fun.

Please also mark your calendar and register to participate in the following:

WTLC Roundtable — The next WTLC Roundtable will be held on Wednesday, June 3, 2026, from 4:00 pm to 5:00 pm on Zoom. All NJAJ Regular Members are invited to register and participate.

WTLC Wellness Day —NJAJ’s Women Trial Lawyers Caucus will host its annual Wellness Day Down The Shore on Thursday, August 6, 2026, from 10:00 am to 4:30 pm, bringing members together to recharge, reconnect, and strengthen their personal and professional well‑being. Registration will be available via NJAJ's website soon. All NJAJ members are welcome.

Endless Summer Networking Reception — NJAJ Regular Members are invited to gather for an evening of conversation and connection at NJAJ’s Endless Summer Networking Reception on Thursday, September 24, 2026, from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at The Rum Runner in Sea Bright, NJ. Thank you to NJAJ's Matrimonial Trial Lawyers Section for sponsoring this event. All NJAJ members are welcome.

Ryder Cup 2026 —NJAJ’s Ryder Cup 2026 is set for Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at the New Jersey National Golf Club, 579 Allen Rd, Basking Ridge, NJ. The annual event brings members together for a day of friendly competition, camaraderie, and support for NJAJ’s mission.

NJAJ’s Meadowlands Seminar® 2026 Dates and Location Announced

NJAJ’s Meadowlands Seminar® 2026 will take place Wednesday-Friday, November 18-20, 2026, at World of Blue (formerly The Park Hotel at Meadowlands) in East Rutherford, NJ. Additional details, registration information, and sponsorship opportunities will be shared soon.

Congratulations to Kathleen M. Reilly, Esq. and Gerald H. Baker, Esq. 

Please join me in congratulating NJAJ Past President and NJAJ PAC Chair Kathleen M. Reilly, Esq. on being selected as NJAJ’s Professional Lawyer of the Year. Kate, along with the other honorees, will be recognized by the New Jersey Commission on Professionalism in the Law at its annual luncheon on Thursday, June 11, 2026, from 12:00 pm to 3:30 pm at the Forsgate Country Club in Monroe Township. Registration for the luncheon is available through the New Jersey State Bar Association.

I am also pleased to share that the New Jersey State Bar Foundation has selected two distinguished recipients for this year’s Medal of Honor: U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas and NJAJ’s own Gerald H. Baker, Esq. NJAJ was proud to nominate Jerry for this honor, and his selection reflects his decades of leadership, service, and unwavering commitment to New Jersey’s civil justice community.

The Medal of Honor Reception will take place on September 22, 2026, at the Park Château in East Brunswick, and I encourage you to attend and join in celebrating these exceptional honorees. Registration and sponsorship information can be found here.

I hope to see you at many of these upcoming events in the months ahead.