2025 Federal Practice Bench-Bar Symposium

The New Jersey State Bar Association and the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey, in cooperation with the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey, are proud to present the 2nd Annual Federal Practice Bench-Bar Symposium.

Join U.S. District Court Chief Judge Renée Marie Bumb, along with dozens of federal judges and esteemed practitioners for this special symposium designed primarily with state court practitioners in mind. This comprehensive program will focus on the essentials of federal civil and criminal practice. Attendees can enjoy a networking lunch and then choose from several breakout sessions that are right for them: Discovery in Federal Court, The Effect of Bankruptcy on State Court Proceedings, Federal Criminal Practice Primer and Hot Topics in Federal Civil Procedure.

This special program will conclude with an insightful roundtable of plenary judges, followed by a cocktail reception.

Program Agenda:

9:00 | Welcome from the Leaders 
- Susan M. Leming, Esq., President, Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey
- William H. Mergner, Esq., President, New Jersey State Bar Association

9:15 | Welcome Remarks from Hon. Renée Marie Bumb, Chief, U.S.D.J.

9:30 | The Interplay Between Federal Civil Procedure and State Court Litigation

Moderator:
- Victor A. Afanador, Esq.

Speakers:
- Hon. Brian R. Martinotti, U.S.D.J.
- Hon. Robert Kirsch, U.S.D.J.
- Hon. Georgette Castner, U.S.D.J.
- Hon. Stacey Adams, U.S.M.J.
- Hon. Elizabeth A. Pascal, U.S.M.J.
- Rebekah R. Conroy, Esq.

There are keys differences between state and federal civil practice. U.S. District Court judges, magistrate judges and seasoned practitioners will highlight some of the most important contrasts. Topics include:

• Removal to federal court – A discussion of the types of cases handled in federal court and when it is appropriate to seek removal
• Nuts and bolts of federal pleadings – Drafting tips and requirements for pleadings, including joinder and amending complaints upon motions to dismiss
• District judge vs. magistrate judge – Roles and responsibilities of each
• Rule 16 – Pretrial, Scheduling and Management Conferences – Purposes, requirements, what the Court may consider, actions that the Court can take and why and what the judges would like you to know
• Administrative termination
• The "Entire Controversy Doctrine"
• The "Rooker-Feldman Doctrine" that prohibits litigants from challenging state court orders in federal court as a means of relitigating a case
• Settlement in's and out's - Why settling on the courthouse steps could be costly for your clients; the state court rule that might change to mirror the federal rule, which allows federal judges to order adjusters to be present for settlement conferences.
• Scheduling conflicts between federal and state courts including abstentions in federal court

11:00 | Break

11:10 | Thorny Substantive Issues in Federal Court

Moderator:
- Hon. Leda Dunn Wettre, U.S.M.J.

Speakers:
- Hon. Edward S. Kiel, U.S.D.J.
- Hon. Zahid N. Quraishi, U.S.D.J.
- Kathleen Barnett Einhorn, Esq.
- Michael A. Kaplan, Esq.
- Jemi Goulian Lucey, Esq.
- Joseph L. Linares, Esq.

Our look at the vital differences between federal and state courts continues with a discussion of important federal substantive issues. Topics include:

• Final pretrial orders – This order, unique to the federal courts, sets forth a motion in limine schedule and deadline, the date for a future pretrial if needed, the date for a final pretrial and a trial date
• Daubert motions
• Motions in limine
• TRO's and preliminary injunctions
• How to navigate pro se actions filed in both courts

11:50 | Ethical Issues in Federal Practice with a Focus on Artificial Intelligence

Moderator:
- R. Stephen Stigall, Esq.

 Speakers:
- Hon. Christine P. O’Hearn, U.S.D.J.
- Hon. Karen M. Williams, U.S.D.J.
- Hon. Michael Hammer, U.S.M.J.
- Linda D. Foster, Esq., Federal Public Defender

An esteemed panel shines a spotlight on ethics with a special focus on AI. Topics include:

• Artificial Intelligence
  • Ethical implications in the use of AI, how to maintain client confidentiality, data security issues, algorithmic bias
  • How the Court uses AI, including how the law clerks use it, the specific products and apps used by the Court, client confidentiality, data security, and algorithmic bias.
• Missteps for the unaware that can result in sanctions

12:40 | Lunch

1:10 | Breakout Sessions – Choose One

Session 1: Discovery in Federal Court

Moderator:
- Christine A. Amalfe, Esq., NJSBA President-Elect

Speakers:
- Hon. Ann Marie Donio, U.S.M.J. 
- Hon. José R. Almonte, U.S.M.J.
- Hon. Justin T. Quinn, U.S.M.J.
- Hon. Cathy L. Waldor, U.S.M.J.

Meet some of New Jersey's newest magistrate judges as the NJSBA president-elect moderates a panel on the significant differences between discovery procedures in federal court and state court. This session will examine them and include the role of the magistrate judge, meet and confer requirements, requests for admissions and how the state rule will be revised to operate more like the federal rule.

Session 2: The Effect of Bankruptcy on State Court Proceedings

Moderator:
- Tara J. Schellhorn, Esq.

Speakers:
- Hon. Jerrold N. Poslusny, Jr., U.S.B.J
- Joseph Casello, Esq.
- Carmen Diaz, Esq.
- Angela Pattison, Esq.
- Colleen M. Restel, Esq.

Topics include: The effect and scope of the automatic stay, exceptions and exclusions from the stay, the effect of the stay on third parties, how to seek relief from the stay, and the intersection of bankruptcy and family law.

2:10 | Breakout Sessions – Choose One

Session 1: Federal Criminal Practice Primer

Moderator:
- Anthony N. Thomas, Esq., Federal Public Defender

Speakers:
- Hon. Katharine S. Hayden, U.S.D.J.
- Hon. Esther Salas, U.S.D.J.
- Hon J. Brendan Day, U.S.M.J.
- Joyce M. Malliet, Esq., Chief, National Security Unit
- Ricardo Solano, Jr., Esq.

This is a vital primer for state court practitioners who represent defendants charged with federal crimes. Experienced federal court practitioners will point out some of the most important differences between state and federal court.

• Federal client initial interview
• The federal investigation: dealing with agents and prosecutors pre-indictment
• Navigating the federal criminal justice system: arrest through plea/trial
• Basics of federal sentencing
• Q&A session with the presenters

Session 2: Hot Topics in Federal Civil Procedure

Moderator:
- Ethan Hougah, Esq.

Speakers:
- Hon. Claire C. Cecchi, U.S.D.J.
- Hon. Julien Xavier Neals, U.S.D.J.  
- Hon. Jessica S. Allen, U.S.M.J.
- Samuel I. Portnoy, Esq.
- Rodney Villazor, Esq.

What are the hottest topics in federal civil procedure? Find out what you need to know at this important session. The speakers will delve into subjects such as mediation, the differences between mediation in federal and state court – including the power of federal judges to appoint mediators as opposed to state court, where consent is needed – and the role of the pre-trial order. The program will feature a Q&A session with the presenters.

3:00 | Federal Judges’ Roundtable
Moderator:
- Susan M. Leming , Esq., President, Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey

Speakers:
- Hon. Renée Marie Bumb, Chief U.S.D.J.
- Hon. Susan Wigenton, U.S.D.J.
- Hon. Jamel K. Semper, U.S.D.J.
- Hon. Matthew J. Skahill, U.S.M.J.
- Hon. Tonianne J. Bongiovanni, U.S.M.J.

In U.S. District Court, each judge has their own likes and dislikes. Hear from several of them on the distinctions in approaching federal judges and how to present your case for the greatest success. Topics include: brief writing, proffers of evidence, oral arguments, preserving the record for appeal and more.

4:00 | Adjourn. Meeting and Greet with the Judges/Cocktail Reception
The reception will be in the rotunda.