Don’t Leave Your Weather Case Up to a Coin Toss: Using a Weather Expert
Date: Sep 16, 2025 9:00 a.m. – 10:40 a.m.
Location: New Jersey Law Center, New Brunswick, and Online
Member Price: $99.00
Non-Member Price: $125.00
Section Price: $0.00
Areas of Law: Civil
Earn up to 2 credits! (More Information)
Keynote
Moderator
- Hon. Joseph A. Turula, P.J.Cv.
- Hudson County Superior Court
Presenters
- Stephen J. Alexander, Esq.
- Capehart & Scatchard PA, Mount Laurel
- Thomas M. Else
- Senior Forensic Meteorologist AMS Certified Consulting Meteorologist (CCM)
Weather Works, LLC, Hackettstown - Frank Lazzaro, Esq.
- Lutz Shafranski Gorman Mahoney & Lazzaro, PA, New Brunswick
Join us for this innovative program about the realm of the weather expert! Acquire knowledge on the types of cases that weather impacts, such as premises liability, automobile accidents, and more. Learn how a forensic meteorologist reconstructs the weather and defines what constitutes a winter storm. Discover how weather-related issues such as snow and ice, visibility, sun glare, flooding events, wind, and falling trees can impact the liability issues of premises liability and motor vehicle cases. An esteemed panel, including a weather expert, seasoned attorneys representing plaintiffs and defendants, and a judge, will discuss how weather impacts liability and the use of a weather expert. You will leave this seminar ready to prepare your next weather-related case!
Program Agenda:
- 9:00 | Introduction
- 9:03 | What is a forensic meteorologist? - Thomas M. Else
- 9:08 | How Does a Forensic Meteorologist Reconstruct the Weather? - Thomas M. Else
- Incident location, date and time
- Plot location on Google Earth
- Surface Weather Observation Stations
- Doppler RADAR images
- National Weather Service zone forecasts, watches, warnings, and special weather statements
- Storm spotter reports
- Discovery information (Interrogatories, depositions, photos, videos)
- 9:25 | Motor vehicle accidents - Hon. Joseph A. Turula, P.J.Cv.; Stephen J. Alexander, Esq.; Thomas M. Else and Frank Lazzaro, Esq.
- Sun glare
- Visibility
- Slippery roads
- Decoding a police report
- 9:45 | Slip-and-falls - Hon. Joseph A. Turula, P.J.Cv.; Stephen J. Alexander, Esq.; Thomas M. Else and Frank Lazzaro, Esq.
- What is the definition of a storm?
- Winter storms (snow, sleet, and freezing rain)
- Refreeze
- Sun versus shade
- How can ice form and exist with above-freezing temperatures?
- 10:20 | Wind - Hon. Joseph A. Turula, P.J.Cv.; Stephen J. Alexander, Esq.; Thomas M. Else and Frank Lazzaro, Esq.
- Wind damage
- Falling trees
- Debris (hitting people)
- 10:30 | Rain - Hon. Joseph A. Turula, P.J.Cv.; Stephen J. Alexander, Esq.; Thomas M. Else and Frank Lazzaro, Esq.
- Floods and water damage
- Construction delays
- Return periods on storms
- 10:40 | 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.
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/