The 2026 NJSBA Virtual Summer Conference
Date: Aug 20, 2026 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Online
Member Price: $211.00
Non-Member Price: $264.00
Section Price: $0.00
Areas of Law: For All Attorneys
Earn up to 8 credits, including 2.0 in Ethics! (More Information)
Keynote
Moderator
Presenters
- Hon. Ronald J. Hedges, U.S.M.J. (Ret.)
- U.S.M.J., Ronald J. Hedges LLCis Senior Counsel for Dentons in New York City and a member of the Litigation and Dispute Resolution Practice Group. He has extensive experience in e-discovery and the management of complex civil litigation matters, and has served as a special master, arbitrator and mediator. He also consults on the management and discovery of electronically stored information (ESI).
Admitted to practice in New Jersey, New York, Texas and the District of Columbia, and before several federal courts, Judge Hedges is a former United States Magistrate Judge in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (1986-2007), where he was the Compliance Judge for the Court Mediation Program, a member of the Lawyers Advisory Committee, and a member of and reporter for the Civil Justice Reform Act Advisory Committee. A member of the Advisory Group of Magistrate Judges from 2001-2005, he has also been a member of the American Law Institute, the American and Federal Bar Associations, and the Historical Society and the Lawyers Advisory Committee of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. Judge Hedges has served on the Sedona Conference Judicial Advisory Board; the Sedona Conference Working Group on Protective Orders, Confidentiality, and Public Access; and the Sedona Conference Working Group on Best Practices for Electronic Document Retention & Protection. He has also been a member of the Advisory Board of the Advanced E-Discovery Institute of Georgetown University Law Center. He is a former Fellow at the Center for Information Technology of Princeton University and has been a member of the College of the State Bar of Texas.
Judge Hedges has been an adjunct professor at Rutgers School of Law-Newark and is a former adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center and Seton Hall University School of Law, where he has taught courses on electronic discovery and evidence and mediation skills. He is the author of “Rule 26(f): The Most Important E-Discovery Rule” (New Jersey Law Journal, 5/18/2009) and has authored, edited and co-edited a number of other publications on ESI topics including Discovery of Electronically Stored Information: Surveying the Legal Landscape (BNA, 2007). He is the principal author of the third edition of the Federal Judicial Center’s Pocket Guide for Judges on Discovery of Electronic Information.
Judge Hedges received his B.A. from the University of Maryland and his J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center.
(8/23) - Hon. Sohail Mohammed, P.J.Cr.
- Presiding Criminal Judge, Superior Court of New Jersey - Passaic Vicinage
- K. Raja Bhattacharya, Esq.
- Certified By the New Jersey Supreme Court As a Civil Trial Attorney
Bendit Weinstock PA - Mark R. Friedman, Esq.
- Friedman Law, Bridgewaterpractices estate planning, elder law and special needs law with Friedman Law in Bridgewater, New Jersey. His work includes creating special needs trusts for disabled clients so litigation proceedings, child support and other payments will not disrupt public benefits; helping seniors plan to prevent long-term care costs from wiping out their savings; and estate planning in first marriages, second marriages and for unmarried clients.
Admitted to practice in New Jersey and New York, Mr. Friedman is Past Chair and former Roundtable Coordinator and Legislative Coordinator of the New Jersey State Bar Association Elder and Disability Law Section. He was Somerset County representative to and Executive Committee member of the NJSBA Young Lawyers, and served on the NJSBA Blue Ribbon Commission on Unmet Legal Needs. Prior to joining the firm Mr. Friedman was a Contributing Editor for The FCPA Blog in Singapore, ROS, where he provided analysis on compliance, corruption and the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (FCPA). He is the author of articles including “Modern Estate Planning for Same-Sex Couples” (New Jersey Law Journal, October 14, 2013).
Mr. Friedman received his B.A. from Binghamton University, State University of New York, and his J.D. from New York University Law School, where he was selected as an inaugural Fellow with Fellowships at Auschwitz for the Study of Professional Ethics, which sends law and medical students to Germany and Poland to study their profession’s role in the Nazi genocide. He also created the Darfur Victims Project at NYU, leading a team of law students in support of litigation before the International Criminal Court.
(9/23) - Thomas H. Prol, Esq.
- Past President, New Jersey State Bar Association
Sills Cummis & Gross, PC, Newark
The FIFA World Cup isn’t the only major event in New Jersey this summer! The New Jersey State Bar Association is excited to host the 2026 Virtual Summer Conference! Come out of the heat, pour yourself some lemonade or iced tea and enjoy the very best of CLE. Everyone who attends will score up to 8.0 credits, including ethics, as you explore the hottest topics and the most important information for your practice. Plus, mass transit isn’t necessary! Enjoy the conference from the comfort of your home or office.
Access the seminars by logging in to our easy-to-navigate conference website. Just like our Annual Meeting and Convention and other major conferences, there’s no need to pre-register for individual seminars. You'll be able to attend the sessions you want throughout the day.
Everyone who registers will be a winner! Some highlights are below but check back for more details that are coming soon!
Congressman Barney Frank – His Life, His Legacy and His Impact on the Law
Congressman Barney Frank was one of a kind. A plain-talking New Jersey born legislator, he fought tirelessly for the people of Massachusetts for thirty years, helped make housing more affordable, stood up for the rights of LGBTQ+ Americans, and helped pass one of the most sweeping financial reforms in history designed to protect consumers and prevent another financial crisis.
The Congressman, who died on May 19, leaves a legacy that will resonate well into the future. Join a panel of speakers as they explore Frank’s impact on the law and the lives of all Americans.
Speaker:
- Thomas H. Prol, Esq., NJSBA Past President, Sills Cummis & Gross, PC, Newark
23 and Who? Protecting Your Client’s Assets from Newly Discovered Heirs
Genetic testing companies offer an easy and entertaining way to check into your ancestry. However, what happens when a long-lost relative finds out you’re related and wants to stake a claim on your client’s estate?! This program will address estate planning in the 21st century with a view toward protecting your clients’ assets from newly discovered heirs.
The Bill Requiring Disclosure of Third-Party Litigation Funding – What Litigators Need to Know
A2159 was unanimously passed by the New Jersey Assembly and is currently pending in the Senate Commerce Committee. It requires disclosure of third-party litigation funding agreements and establishes certain responsibilities for litigation funders. The bill provides that, in any civil action, a party or party’s attorney is to, without awaiting a discovery request, disclose any litigation funding agreement. The bill also provides that the litigation funding agreement is to be disclosed at the time of the filing of an initial pleading or at the time of the agreement, if the agreement occurs after the initial pleading.
The proposed bill is controversial. Proponents of the legislation call it a “common sense bill” that creates guardrails around third-party litigation. Opponents of the bill are concerned over the unfair advantage of defendants to information irrelevant to the case and that it creates a de facto ban on third-party litigation funding.
This panel discuss what litigators need to know about this vital piece of pending legislation.
How to Apply NJRE 702 Re: Expert Witnesses to Your Cases
The New Jersey Supreme Court Evidence Rules Committee recently proposed amendments to NJRE 702 re: the admission of expert testimony. The amendments would mirror the more detailed and specific Federal Rule of Evidence 702. Proponents of mirroring the federal rule aver that the amendments would fix widespread misapplication of the rule by courts and clarify existing law regarding the admissibility of expert testimony, and that it would also clarify the gatekeeping role of trial judges to prevent unreliable expert testimony from reaching juries. Opponents of the amendment disagree, arguing that the amendments would not further the goal of clarity and that the current rule is sufficiently clear. Both sides agreed on one essential point, and that is that more education surrounding the qualification of experts and the admission of testimony would benefit the legal community.
In this session, a panel of experienced plaintiff’s and defense attorneys will take a deep dive into the application of NJRE 702. They will discuss what qualifies someone to be an expert, effective methods of arguing for and against admissibility, and additional information you need to better represent your clients at trial.
Verdicts, Settlements, Damages and Your Client’s Estate - What Personal Injury Attorneys Need to Know about Trust and Estate Law
Estate and trust practice interacts with personal injury practice more than you might think! If you are a personal injury attorney who isn’t familiar with estate and trust law, you may be putting your client’s hard-won case or settlement at risk.
This is a crash course for civil litigators in how estate law interacts with personal injury, wrongful death, workers comp claims and more. Join a seasoned trust and estate lawyer and an experienced personal injury lawyer as they take you through the basics of estate administration, probate, powers of attorney, executor or administrator appointment, guardianship, and special needs trusts. They will show you how understanding some basic planning concepts and tax rules will save your clients money and keep you from opening yourself to possible malpractice claims.
Speakers:
- K. Raja Bhattacharya, Esq., Bendit Weinstock, PA, West Orange
- Mark R. Friedman, Esq., Special Needs Law, Friedman Law, Bridgewater
The Sandwich Generation Practicing Law – How to Care for Yourself and Your Clients While Caring for Others
This program is for anyone who has balanced a computer on their lap while accompanying a loved one to the emergency room, dragged themself into work after being up all night with a chronically ill child, or has taken a client call supporting a parent with dementia. If your day is divided between legal deadlines and conversations with medical providers, hospice professionals, or social workers, this program is for you.
During this 100-minute seminar, a panel of attorneys who have firsthand experience as caregivers, together with mental health professionals, ethics counsel, and members of the judiciary, will offer practical guidance, support, and insight. Panelists will share personal experiences navigating the intersection of caregiving and legal practice, discuss strategies they have developed to manage stress and maintain professional responsibilities, and highlight resources available through the New Jersey State Bar Association and the courts to support attorney caregivers.
This program aims to foster understanding, provide practical tools, and remind attorney caregivers that they are not alone in facing these challenges.
What Criminal Attorneys Need to Know about AI Crimes
Artificial Intelligence ("AI") and generative artificial intelligence (“GenAI”), as with any technology, may be used for good and bad purposes. Those bad purposes may give rise to investigations and prosecutions for criminal activity, as we have seen with “deepfakes” involving child pornography. This session will examine known or foreseeable AI and GenAI-related crimes, the nature of investigations into and prosecution of such crimes, discovery of the fruits of those investigations, and relevant principles under the United States and New Jersey constitutions. The session will also look at the admissibility of AI and GenAI and "hallucinations."
Speakers:
- Hon. Sohail Mohammed, P.J.Cr., Passaic
- Hon. Ronald Hedges, U.S.M.J. (Ret.), Ronald J. Hedges, LLC,
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/