2026 Workers’ Compensation Bench Bar Conference
Date: Dec 9, 2026 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Pines Manor, Edison
Member Price: $211.00
Non-Member Price: $264.00
Section Price: $198.00
Areas of Law: Workers' Compensation
Earn up to 6.7 credits, including 1.0 in Ethics! (More Information)
Featured Speaker
Moderator
Presenters
- Hon. Maria Del Valle-Koch
- Director and Chief Judge of the Division of Workers’ Compensation
New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development - Hon. Carmine J. Taglialatella
- Vicki W. Beyer, Esq.
- Stark & Stark, Hamilton
- Michael Bileci, Esq.
- Capehart Scatchard, Mount Laurel
- Tiffany Glenn Burress, Esq.
- Totowa
- Danielle S. Chandonnet, Esq.
- Shebell & Shebell, Shrewsbury
- Dorothy T. Daly, Esq.
- Vice Chair, NJSBA Workers’ Compensation Section
Law Offices of Monique T. Moran (PMA), Mt. Laurel - Ann Patricia DeBellis, Esq.
- Law Office of Ann DeBellis, Yardley
- Kathleen M. Dotoli, Esq.
- Immediate Past Chair, NJSBA Workers' Compensation Section
Law Office of Kathleen M. Dotoli, LLC, Toms River - Matthew Gitterman, Esq.
- Biancamano & Di Stefano PC, Bridgewater
- Manuel Gonzalez, Esq
- Saddle River
- Sandra M. Guage-Zachary, Esq.
- Secretary, NJSBA Workers' Compensation Section
Garces, Grabler & LeBrocq, LLC, Freehold - Michele Haas, Esq.
- Chair, NJSBA Workers' Compensation Section
Brown & Connery LLP, Haddonfield - Kathleen Hart, Esq
- Weiner Law Group, Parsippany
- Kiara K. Hartwell, Esq.
- Marshall Dennehey, Mount Laurel
- Victor B. Matthews, Esq.
- Denville
- Keeley A. McDonald, Esq.
- Ledgewood
- Timothy Mello, Esq.
- Jacobs, Schwalbe & Petruzzelli, P.C., Cherry Hill
- Monique T. Moran, Esq.
- PMA Insurance Group, Mount Laurel
- Dr. Julien Musolino
- Professor, Cognitive Scientist, Rutgers University
- Heidi Rivkin, Esq.
- West Orange
- Eileen Ryan, Esq.
- Law Offices of James H. Rohlfing, Marlton
- Karen B. Salzer, Esq.
- Toms River
- Cheyne R. Scott, Esq.
- Chasan Lamparello Mallon & Cappuzzo, PC, Secaucus
- Mark S. Setaro, Esq.
- Weber Gallagher, Forked River
- Nirav K. Shah, M.D., F.A.A.N.S, F.A.C.S.
- Medical Director, Princeton Brain, Spine, & Orthopedics, Princeton
- Catherine M. Shiels, Esq.
- Golden Rothschild Spagnola Lundell Boylan & Garubo, Bridgewater
- Donna J. Sova, Esq
- West Caldwell
- Todd Wachtel, Esq.
- Levinson Axelrod, Raritan
- Peter F. Ward, Esq.
- Chair-Elect, NJSBA Workers' Compensation Section
Wegner Wegner & Ward PC, Clifton
Presented in cooperation with the NJSBA Workers' Compensation Section
New Jersey's Top Annual Workers' Compensation Conference
Workers' compensation practice in New Jersey is evolving at breakneck speed. The medical evidence is growing more complex, the statutes and case law keep shifting, and the strategies that served your clients last year may not be enough for the next. That is why more than 400 judges and practitioners gathered last year for New Jersey's premier annual workers' compensation event, and why this year's conference will bring the bench and bar together again for a full day on the developments that will shape your practice. You will hear directly from the judges of the Division of Workers' Compensation and the state's leading practitioners, and you will return to your office ready for 2027.
This year's conference will open with remarks from the Hon. Maria Del Valle-Koch, Director and Chief Judge of the Division of Workers' Compensation, on the current state of the Division, the potential changes that will affect you, your clients, and litigants, and what the bench and bar can expect in the year ahead. As an attendee, you'll leave knowing where the Division is headed and what the court will expect of you, so you can walk into your next hearing with confidence and secure the best possible results for your clients.
Walk away with the latest developments and ready-to-use strategies, including:
- Spinal Cord and Extremity Injuries for Workers' Compensation Practitioners
- A Scientific Framework for Understanding Psychological Injury (Goyden and Beyond)
- Legislative and Case Law Update
- Medicare Trusts and Related Issues, presented by Ametros
- Ethics Update
- Diversity and Inclusion for Workers' Compensation Practitioners
Seats will fill quickly - reserve yours today.
Program Agenda:
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9 a.m. | Welcome and Opening Remarks - Michele Haas, Esq.
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9:05 a.m. | State of the Division - Hon. Maria Del Valle-Koch, Director and Chief Judge
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9:30 a.m. | Presentation TBA
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9:45 a.m. | Spinal Cord and Extremity Injuries for Workers’ Compensation Practitioners - Nirav K. Shah, MD, FAANS, FACS and a panel of attorneys
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10:45 a.m. | Break
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10:55 a.m. | A Scientific Framework for Understanding Psychological Injury (Goyden and Beyond) - Julien Musolino, Ph.D. and the Hon. Carmine J. Taglialatella, S.J.W.C.
Judge Taglialatella will provide a legal structure with an explanation how psychological injury is understood and addressed in the current state of New Jersey workers’ compensation law. Professor Musolino will provide a scientific perspective, presenting a framework for understanding the nature and causation of psychological injury that draws on important developments across the sciences over the past several decades. Together, these complementary perspectives will bring law, evidentiary issues and science into conversation … as well your litigation. -
12 p.m. | Lunch and Awards
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1:10 p.m. | Legislative and Case Law Update
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1:40 p.m. | Ametros on Medicare Trusts and Related Issues
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2 p.m. | Break
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2:10 p.m. | Ethics Updates
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3 p.m. | Diversity and Inclusion in Workers’ Compensation Practice
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4 p.m. | 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/