19th Annual Criminal Law Institute
Date: Nov 15, 2025 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: New Jersey Law Center, New Brunswick, and Online
Member Price: $203.00
Non-Member Price: $254.00
Section Price: $191.00
Areas of Law: Criminal Law
Earn up to 6.4 credits, including 1.6 in Ethics! (More Information)
Keynote
Moderator
- Robert J. Brass, Esq.
- Of Counsel, Dughi, Hewit & Domalewski, PC, Cranford
- Robert D. Laurino, Esq.
- Essex County Prosecutor’s Office
Special Deputy Attorney General, NJ Attorney General’s Task Force on Clergy Abuse, Newark
Presenters
- Hon. Mark S. Ali, P.J.Cr.
- Presiding Criminal Judge, Superior Court of New Jersey - Essex Vicinage
- Hon. Sohail Mohammed, P.J.Cr.
- Presiding Criminal Judge, Superior Court of New Jersey - Passaic Vicinage
- Alexander B. Albu, Esq.
- Essex County First Assistant Prosecutor
- Lauren Anselowitz, Esq.
- Harlan York & Associates, Newark
- Mary J. Ciancimino, Esq.
- Office of the Public Defender, Jersey City
- Michael Francis Farmer, Esq.
- The Mendoza Law Firm, El Paso
- Joseph A. Giordano, Esq.
- Deputy Attorney General, Division of Criminal Justice, Trenton
- Jennifer L. Gottschalk, Esq.
- Johanna Barba Jones, Esq.
- Director, Office of Attorney Ethics, Trenton
- Jason J. LeBoeuf, Esq.
- Ziegler Law Group, LLC, Livingston
- Ronald P. Mondello, Esq.
- Ronald P. Mondello PC, Fair Lawnis a solo practitioner in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, where he concentrates his practice in immigration, municipal, land use and criminal law. He focuses predominately on what legal scholars refer to as “crimmigration”, the intersection of crimes and immigration, advises criminal defense attorneys on how to avoid deportation for their foreign national clients with “safe haven” pleas, and has extensive experience filing post-conviction relief petitions based on constitutional infirmities. Mr. Mondello also represents corporate and individual clients before New Jersey planning and zoning boards, and also represents and defends municipal clients in municipal litigation and land use litigation. The Hoboken Cannabis Review Board Attorney, he is Special Litigation Counsel for Fair Lawn, has been Special Legal Counsel for the Borough of New Milford, Washington Township and Saddle Brook, and serves as Board Attorney for the Planning, Zoning and Adjustment Boards of several municipalities.
Admitted to practice in New Jersey, New York and Florida, Mr. Mondello has been a member of the New Jersey State, Bergen County, Passaic County and Morris County Bar Associations. He has served as a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA) and the NJSBA Cannabis Law and Local Government Law Sections, a Trustee of the New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys and Co-Chair of the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Municipal Cannabis Subcommittee.
Mr. Mondello is a frequent lecturer on “crimmigration” issues for CLE providers and is especially known for his seminar designed to educate New Jersey criminal defense attorneys on how to avoid Ineffective Assistance Claims when representing foreign nationals. A former adjunct professor at Bergen and Passaic County Community Colleges, he has also taught business organizations, immigration and criminal law at the Academy for Legal Assistant Training.
Mr. Mondello received his B.A. from William Paterson College, his M.B.A. in General Finance from Fairleigh Dickinson University and his J.D. from Loyola University. He served as a law clerk with the United States Attorney’s Office in Philadelphia and to the Honorable Marguerite T. Simon, Bergen County, and to the Passaic County Prosecutor.
(9/23) - Angelo J. Onofri, Esq.
- Former Mercer County Prosecutor
Hinkle Prior & Fischer, Lawrence Twp - Jennifer M. Perez, Esq.
- Assistant Public Defender, Office of the Public Defender, Trenton
- Alison Perrone, Esq.
- Office of the Public Defender, Trenton
Register today to attend this information-packed program, exploring cutting-edge issues for prosecutors and defense attorneys.
The 19th Annual Criminal Law Institute features some of New Jersey’s most respected judges and attorneys who will address today’s most important topics, including pertinent ethical issues, the latest on artificial intelligence for criminal practitioners, and insight into presenting cases to a grand jury. In addition, a special luncheon presentation is included.
Government attorneys may register at a discounted rate of $165 using code CRIM2025 at checkout or by contacting Customer Service at 732-214-8500 or [email protected].
Judicial law clerks and law students are invited to attend free of charge. To register as a law clerk or law student, please contact Customer Service at 732-214-8500 or [email protected].
Who Should Attend:
- Prosecutors
- Defense Attorneys
- Public Defenders
- General Practitioners
- New Lawyers
- Law Students
Program Agenda:
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8:30 | Check-in and light breakfast
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9:00 | Introduction - Robert J. Brass, Esq. and Robert D. Laurino, Esq.
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9:05 | Ethical Issues in Criminal Practice: Obligations of the Prosecutor and Defense Counsel - Hon. Mark S. Ali, P.J.Cr.; Johanna Barbra Jones, Esq.; Mary J. Ciancimino, Esq. and Angelo J. Onofri, Esq.
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10:25 | Break
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10:35 | Insights into Presenting Cases to a Grand Jury and the Prosecutor’s Exculpatory Evidence Obligations in the Grand Jury - Alexander B. Albu, Esq.; Robert J. Brass, Esq.; Jennifer L. Gottschalk, Esq. and Robert D. Laurino, Esq.
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12:00 | Lunch
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12:10 | Luncheon Speaker: The Hon. Sohail Mohammed, P.J.Cr., Passaic Vicinage, on the Use of Electronics in the Courtroom and Electronic Discovery
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12:55 | Break
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1:05 | The Relationship Between Criminal Law Practice and Immigration Law Practice - Lauren Anselowitz, Esq.; Michael Francis Farmer, Esq.; Jason J. LeBoeuf, Esq. and Ronald P. Mondello, Esq.
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2:05 | AI in Criminal Practice: The Good, the Bad, and the Dangerous - Hon. Sohail Mohammed, P.J.Cr.; Joseph A. Giordano, Esq.; Jennifer M. Perez, Esq. and Alison Perrone, Esq.
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3:00 | Adjourn
Important Information About Our Events, Meetings, and More:
To secure your spot and receive important updates about our events, meetings, and other gatherings, such as schedule changes, remember to register in advance.
Digital Materials & Environmental Commitment: As part of our commitment to environmental sustainability, unless otherwise noted, all seminar materials are provided as digital downloads. You can access these materials through:
- The “My Links” section at the top of our website for in-person or online events
- Or, for online programs, the event access link included in your joining instructions
Cancellation and Refund Policy:
If you need to cancel your registration and are not transferring to another program or date, please submit a written request to us at least three business days before the event, meeting, or gathering. You will receive a refund minus a $20.00 cancellation fee. No refunds or registration changes will be issued within three business days of the event, meeting, or gathering.
Professional Conduct:
All attendees and participants are expected to conduct themselves professionally and treat others with respect at NJSBA events, meetings, and gatherings. This includes courteous communication, respecting perspectives, and creating a welcoming environment for all. Failure to adhere to this policy may result in removal from the event.
Stay Informed:
Registered participants will be notified of any schedule changes. For updates regarding inclement weather, please check your email or visit NJSBA.com.
Media Consent:
By participating in our events, meetings, or other gatherings, you agree to be photographed and/or recorded. Additionally, all media content captured during these gatherings will become the property of NJSBA. This content, including your image and name, may be used in our future promotional materials without additional consent or compensation.
Scholarship & Financial Assistance Policy:
Read our Scholarship & Financial Assistance Policy and submit an Application here: https://njsba.com/njicle/cle-programs/scholarship/