NJSBA Daily Briefing: 09/16/2026

Legal News

NJSBF Art Show Entry Deadline is Oct. 11

New Jersey legal professionals are invited to enter the New State Bar Foundation’s 15th Annual Juried Art Show. The exhibit will be held in the New Jersey Law Center and virtually. Submit your artwork or poem here.

Supreme Court Rejects Mail Ballot Restrictions Ahead of Midterms

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected President Donald Trump’s bid to restrict mail ballots for the midterm elections, capping a flurry of last-minute legal action with voting already underway. The decision allows states to continue sending out mail ballots under the same processes they’ve used for years and have accounted for nearly a third of votes cast. Read the Associated Press article here.

Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month With the NJSBA

Join the NJSBA on Sept. 29 for a special evening celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month, featuring a fireside chat with NJSBA President Norberto A. Garcia, moderated by Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey President Cristal Lambert. Hear Garcia share insights on his personal and professional journey while connecting with colleagues over Latin-inspired cuisine and beverages. Register today.

‘Formidable’ Civil Rights Lawyer From Essex County Dies, Leaves Legacy Of ‘Passion, Inspiration’

The New Jersey legal community is mourning Essex County lawyer Ed Barocas, who died last week after a career that included overseeing several landmark civil rights cases as legal director of the ACLU-NJ. Read the Patch article here.

NJSBA LGBTQ Rights Section Seeks New Members

This NJSBA section serves the New Jersey LGBTQ community by promoting equal rights, advancing access to justice and fostering professional growth for LGBTQ attorneys and judges. To join, fill out the form here and discover the NJSBA’s wide range of sections for every practice area.

Supreme Court, Appellate and Third Circuit Decision Summaries

Click on any decision below to get the full opinion – September 15, 2026.

New Jersey Appellate Division

Civil/Estate – Alleged Unjust Enrichment

Estate of Louis A. Billotti vs. Bruce Springsteen, et al. (Monmouth County and Statewide) – In this case, the estate of a deceased classic car collector sued musician Bruce Springsteen and other defendants in the Law Division, seeking extra compensation arising out of decedent's provision of his 1967 Pontiac GTO for two photo shoots at Springsteen's house. Although the defendants paid decedent the charges that had been agreed upon when the photo shoots were arranged, the estate contended that the decedent had been orally promised additional money if the photos were eventually used on an album cover. Shortly after the second photo shoot, the decedent passed away of unrelated causes. Months later, photos of Springsteen with the decedent's Pontiac appeared on an album cover and in various promotional merchandise. In an amended complaint, the estate brought claims against the defendants for negligent misrepresentation and unjust enrichment. The claims were factually grounded upon "double hearsay" statements that the decedent allegedly made to his son and others, recounting the supposed oral assurances made to him for additional payment. The trial court ruled the hearsay statements had not been shown to be sufficiently trustworthy to be admissible under N.J.R.E. 804(b)(6) (the hearsay exception for certain statements by deceased declarants). In addition, the court granted the defendants summary judgment, finding the record failed to present genuine material issues of fact that could establish viable claims under either of the plaintiff's legal theories. The Appellate Division affirmed the lower court.

Civil – Medical Negligence

Analyn Rivera, et al. vs. Jersey City Medical Center, et al. (Hudson County and Statewide) – The plaintiff Analyn Rivera appealed from the dismissal of various claims against the defendant medical entities and professionals stemming from the death of her husband, Romeo Rivera. Romeo presented to Jersey City Medical Center, operated by RWJ Barnabas Health, complaining of back pain, chills, and numbness in his lower limbs. After several emergency department nurses evaluated him, he was seen by an emergency room doctor, Adefris Adal, who diagnosed him with sciatica. He received one shot of pain relief medication and was sent home. When he returned home, he collapsed on the floor of his bedroom and was pronounced dead by responding emergency medical services shortly thereafter. His autopsy revealed he died of a cardiac tamponade. The plaintiff brought suit on behalf of herself and Romeo's estate against defendants JCMC/RWJ; Emergency Medical Associates, LLC, that had contracted with JCMC/RWJ to run the emergency department; JCMC/RWJ ED nurses; and Adal. She alleged claims of "direct and vicarious administrative, medical, and nursing neglect." The trial judge dismissed each of the plaintiff's direct claims against JCMC/RWJ, EMA, and the nurses on summary judgment and dismissed the plaintiff's remaining claims on a directed verdict. The Appellate Division affirmed the lower court.