Counseling Clients Through a Business Lens for Greater Success
Date: Sep 29, 2026 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Location: Online
Member Price: $177.00
Non-Member Price: $209.00
Section Price: $0.00
Areas of Law: Business, Civil
Earn up to 6.7 credits, including 1.4 in Ethics! (More Information)
Keynote
Moderator
Presenters
- Tamer M. Abdou, Esq.
- Abdou Law Offices, Clark
- Victor A. Afanador, Esq.
- Lite DePalma Greenberg & Afanador, LLC, Newark
- Megan Knowlton Balne, Esq.
- Hyland Levin Shapiro, LLP, Marlton
- Mary Toscano Carpenito, Esq.
- Former Federal Prosecutor
Greenbaum Rowe Smith & Davis, LLP, Roseland - Michael G. Donahue, Esq.
- Certified By the New Jersey Supreme Court As a Civil Trial Attorney
Stark & Stark - Eric A. Inglis, Esq.
- Schenck Price Smith & King, Florham Park
- Jemi Goulian Lucey, Esq.
- Co-Chair, New JerseySBA Higher Education Special Committee
Greenbaum Rowe Smith & Davis, Woodbridge - Tracy E. Miller, Esq.
- Brach Eichler LLC, Roseland
- Alan S. Pralgever, Esq.
- Greenbaum Rowe Smith & Davis, Iselin
Discover Business Essentials, Strategies and High Level Analysis that Will Help You Better Serve Your Clients
Today’s lawyers are expected to do far more than provide legal analysis. Clients want trusted advisors who can think strategically, exercise sound judgment under pressure, manage risk, communicate with business clarity, and adapt quickly in a world shaped by technological disruption and rising expectations.
This timely and forward-looking program explores the evolving role of the 21st century lawyer and the business knowledge increasingly required for long-term success across many areas of practice. Through practical insights and candid discussion, experienced faculty will examine how lawyers can strengthen their influence, enhance client relationships, improve decision-making, and lead with confidence in rapidly changing environments.
Explore how to:
• Think strategically and align legal advice with broader business and organizational realities.
• Deliver disciplined, efficient, and outcome-focused legal services.
• Exercise principled judgment in high-pressure and high-visibility situations.
• Navigate ethical challenges with professionalism, composure, and integrity.
• Adapt to technological disruption, including the growing impact of AI and analytics on legal practice.
• Build credibility, resilience, and leadership capacity in an increasingly competitive profession.
From strategic advocacy and client management to professional judgment and technological adaptability, this program provides a comprehensive examination of the skills that distinguish exceptional lawyers today.
Strengthen the strategic, operational, and leadership competencies necessary to thrive in the modern legal profession.
PROGRAM AGENDA:
- 9:00 | Welcome and Introduction
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9:05 | The Strategic Advocate: Seeing the Whole Playing Field - Tamer M. Abdou, Esq.; Jemi Goulian Lucey, Esq.
Think like a business strategist, not just a lawyer. Explore how business imperatives shape every stage of a dispute, from early risk evaluation to public outcomes, and how to position yourself as an indispensable advisor. Gain expert insights on how to:
- Evaluate how litigation strategy aligns with client objectives and organizational realities.
- Assess commercial risk and reputational impact to guide clients toward sound, outcome-driven decisions.
- Articulate strategy in precise, business-focused terms that demonstrate value and foresight. -
10:05 | The Disciplined Supervisor: How to Plan for and Obtain Realistic Results - Alan S. Pralgever, Esq.
Clients may ask for unattainable outcomes which can only disappoint them in the end and put their lawyers in an uncomfortable position. This segment will focus on how to guide your clients to consistency, predictability, and realistic outcomes. Approach each matter as a disciplined project — balancing cost, quality, and timing — to enhance outcomes and strengthen relationships and to:
- Operationalize project-management frameworks that deliver efficiency and measurable results.
- Establish performance metrics that enhance accountability and transparency.
- Leverage AI-enabled workflows to streamline discovery, document review, and reporting. - 10:45 | Break
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10:55 | The Decisive Counselor: Exercising Judgment Under Pressure - Victor A. Afanador, Esq.; Mary Toscano Carpenito, Esq. and Tracy E. Miller, Esq.
When every move is scrutinized, sound judgment becomes your greatest asset. Strengthen your ability to lead decisively and ethically, balancing client pressures, professional integrity, and real-world consequences and to:
- Exercise principled judgment in high-pressure and high-visibility scenarios.
- Demonstrate leadership grounded in integrity, self-regulation, and strategic clarity.
- Navigate the boundary between zealous advocacy and ethical responsibility with composure and foresight. -
11:55 | How to Adapt when Technology (and Everything Else) Constantly Changes - Michael G. Donahue, Esq.; Eric A. Inglis, Esq. and Megan Knowlton Balne, Esq.
Command influence in an era defined by rapid technological change and rising client expectations. Develop the professional agility to lead responsibly while integrating AI, analytics, and modern practice tools into your litigation strategy.
- Assess how AI and analytics reshape litigation practice and advocacy strategy.
- Proactively identify technology-driven risks and manage emerging ethical implications.
- Model adaptive leadership that builds credibility, innovation, and trust across teams. - 1:00 | Closing Remarks
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.
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Registered participants will be notified of any schedule changes. For updates regarding inclement weather, please check your email or visit NJSBA.com.
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Scholarship & Financial Assistance Policy:
Read our Scholarship & Financial Assistance Policy and submit an Application here: https://njsba.com/njicle/cle-programs/scholarship/