The following is a summary of the NJSBA’s Board of Trustees meeting. It does not constitute official minutes.
NOTE: This meeting was held via conference call, due to the COVID-19 public health crisis
Advocacy: The NJSBA sent a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy, at the behest of the Real Property Trust and Estate Law Section, asking the administration to take additional steps to ensure real estate transactions can continue. The Association requested the administration issue temporary waivers or provide an alternative method of meeting smoke alarm certificate and certificate of occupancy requirements; allow ongoing recording of documents and searching of county land records; and to allow ongoing availability of municipal tax information. Read the letter here.
Resolution condemning acts of bias: The trustees approved a resolution condemning and denouncing acts of bias against Asian Americans in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Citing recent examples of hate speech and violence, and an alarming surge in reported anti-Asian incidents, the resolution states that the NJSBA "stands steadfast in opposition to xenophobia and discrimination of any kind," and joins with colleagues around the country — including the Asian Pacific American Lawyers Association of New Jersey — in calls for unity and support. Read it here.
New members: The board also welcomed Christine A. Amalfe as the new secretary on the Executive Board, as well as six new trustees. They are:
G. Glennon Troublefield — Essex County. He practices in litigation and intellectual property in Roseland and is an American Bar Association delegate and a member of the Amicus, Bylaws, Ethics Diversionary, and Professional Responsibility committees.
Brian J. Neary – Hudson County. He practices in criminal defense in Hackensack and is a member of Judicial and Prosecutorial Appointments Committee and the Criminal Law Section. He is a New Jersey State Bar Foundation trustee.
Michael R. Paglione – Mercer. He practices in personal injury litigation in Lawrenceville and is a member of the Amicus and Legislative committees, and Civil Trial Bar and Workers’ Compensation sections.
Joseph L. Linares – At-Large. He practices in litigation, contract drafting and complex negotiations in Newark and is a member of the Pro Bono and Diversity committees and the Young Lawyers Division.
James A. Lewis V – Section/Committee. He practices in civil litigation in South Orange and is a member of the Amicus, Business and Commercial Litigation, Diversity committees, the Minorities in the Profession and Labor and Employment Law sections and the Young Lawyers Division.
Emily S. Kelchen – Young Lawyers Division. She founded Kelchen Consulting and is chair of the Young Lawyers Division and a member of the In-House Counsel Committee and the Women in the Profession Section. She is a Leadership Academy graduate.
Farewell from Keefe: NJSBA 2018-2019 President John E. Keefe Jr. said farewell to his colleagues and noted that he feels confident in the relevance of the Association going forward.|
"It has been an extraordinary ride. This experience has made me a better person; it has made me probably a better lawyer. I have learned immeasurably from the people around me. It humbles me to think about what the lawyers of New Jersey do every day," he said. Keefe ended his remarks as he ended every speech and public remark during his tenure, encouraging board members to "do good and do well."
