NJSBA Annual Meeting: Daily Educational Programming Schedule
Type a word or phrase below to find a specific program (title, speaker, description, etc.):
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Animal Law | Artificial Intelligence | Bankruptcy, Business & Taxation | Business of Law | Cannabis and Psychedelics | Civil Litigation | Criminal Litigation | Dispute Resolution | Diversity and Inclusion | Environmental Law | Ethics and Professionalism | Family Law | Federal Practice | Immigration | In-House | In-House Counsel | Labor & Employment | Law Practice Management | Municipal Court | Real Property Trust and Estate Law | Solo and Small-Firm | Special Interest | Women in the Profession | Workers Compensation | Young Lawyers
Or see programs by day:
Wednesday | Thursday | Friday
THURSDAY, MAY 15
8:45AM - 10:00AM
Would Litigation Be Different if I Were a Man?
Women in the Profession Track | Civil Litigation Track | Criminal Litigation Track (Tides)
Gather for a timely discussion on gender dynamics in litigation. The panel will include a candid discussion by prominent female and male litigators, as well as jurists, on why certain conduct is perceived to be acceptable for men and not women, and conversely, whether heightened awareness of gender inequality has chilled zealous advocacy.
CLE: Earn up to 1.5 CLE Credits, including 1.5 in Diversity. Full Credits: NJDA (1.5); NYDIVN (1.5); PAE (1).
Moderator/Speaker:
Alessandra Moore, Esq., Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Speakers:
Hon. Madeline Cox Arleo
Hon. Mitzy Galis-Menendez, P.J.Cr., Hudson
Hon. Douglas E. Arpert (Ret.)
Alexandra V. Gallo, Esq., O'Toole Scrivo LLC
Kay Gonzalez, Esq., Bendit Weinstock
Michael A. Kaplan, Esq., Lowenstein Sandler LLP
Kevin H. Marino, Esq., Marino, Tortorella & Boyle, PC
Kristin D. Sostowski, Esq., Gibbons PC
THURSDAY, MAY 15
10:30AM - 11:45AM
Cultivating a Thriving Practice: From Public Service to Rainmaking, and the Ethics of It All
Solo and Small-Firm Track | Women in the Profession Track | Young Lawyers Track (Studio 4)
SPONSORED BY: Solo and Small Firm Section, Women in the Profession Section, Young Lawyers Division. This panel offers actionable strategies to begin, build, and sustain a successful practice or impactful public service career while maintaining happiness, fulfillment, and ethical standards. Topics include— GROWTH STRATEGIES: Cultivating relationships and maximizing professional networks, bar memberships, and public service opportunities to expand your career while upholding ethical standards. SUSTAINABILITY: Strategies for maintaining long-term career momentum while balancing leadership responsibilities, client advocacy, ethical obligations, and personal well-being. CAREER POSITIONING: Aligning your practice or public service role for long-term success through ethical branding, strategic growth, and expanding your impact with integrity. TRANSITIONS AND SUCCESSION: Navigating career shifts, from securing your first role to advancing into leadership, ensuring ethical continuity in client service, institutional values, and succession planning.
CLE: Earn up to 1.5 CLE Credits, including 1.5 in ethics. Full Credits: NJE (1.5); NYET (1.5); PAE (1).
Moderator/Speaker:
Jamie M. Zug, Esq., Law Office of Jamie M. Zug
Speakers:
Jonathan Ilan Amira, Esq., Gloucester County, Prosecutors Office
Craig M. Aronow, Esq., RAM Law (Rebenack Aronow & Mascolo LLP)
Judith Bachman, Esq., The Bachman Law Firm PLLC
Kimberly M. Gilhooly, Esq., Monmouth County, Prosecutor's Office
Jennifer Gillman, Esq., Gillman Strategic Group, LLC
Corinne McCann Trainor, Esq., Fox Rothschild
Brandon Lee Wolff, Esq., Brandon Wolff
THURSDAY, MAY 15
10:30AM - 11:45AM
Challenging Assumptions: What’s Gender Got To Do With It?
Women in the Profession Track (Luna)
Under the auspices of the Supreme Court Committee on Gender in the Courts, Bar Education Subcommittee, this program explores how words and conduct reflect gender bias. The program will consist of vignettes of real-life experiences encountered by lawyers and judges and ways to incrementally address gender bias and will include commentary and reflections by Dr. Jennifer L. Pollitt, Assistant Director of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies at Temple University. The panel will include a candid discussion by litigators and jurists on why certain conduct is perceived to be acceptable for men and not women and, conversely, whether heightened awareness of gender inequality has chilled zealous advocacy.
CLE: Earn up to 1.5 CLE Credits, including 1.5 in Diversity. Full Credits: NJDB (1.5); NYDIVN (1.5); PAE (1).
Moderator/Speaker:
Hon. Kimberly Karlette Holmes
Speakers:
Hon. Verna G. Leath, J.S.C., Essex
Miriam S. Edelstein, Esq., Costello, Mains & Silverman, LLC
Patricia M. Giordano, Esq., Feldman Shepherd
Randi W. Kochman, Esq., Cole Schotz PC
Jennifer Lazor, Esq., Lazor Rantas, PC
Cindy N. Vogelman, Esq., Chasan Lamparello Mallon & Cappuzzo, PC
THURSDAY, MAY 15
1:15PM - 2:45PM
Lessons Learned from Women Litigators and Judges
Women in the Profession Track (Music Box Theater)
One of the hottest programs of the Annual Meeting returns with a fresh panel of judges an practitioners who will discuss their journeys in the legal profession and what strategies attorneys can use in their day-to-day practices.
CLE: Earn up to 1.8 CLE Credits. Full Credits: NJG (1.8); NYPT (1.5); PAS (1.5).
Moderator/Speaker:
Hon. Lisa Perez-Friscia, J.A.D.
Speakers:
Hon. Patty Shwartz (3rd. Cir.)
Hon. Maritza Berdote Byrne, J.A.D.
Hon. Susan M. Sheppard, A.J.S.C.
Hon. Sheila A. Venable, A.J.S.C.
Hon. Marie E. Lihotz, PJAD (Ret.)
Michelle A. Schaap, Esq., Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC
Lisa Westerman Spiegel, Esq., New Jersey State Bar Association
THURSDAY, MAY 15
3:15PM - 4:45PM
Women in the Profession: Where We Are in 2025 and What Lies Ahead
Women in the Profession Track (Studio 3)
Join this conversation about the issues facing women in the legal community and what comes next. This seminar will discuss the ABA 2023 Women of Color in the Profession Report and the 2024 Women in the Profession Report.
CLE: Earn up to 1.8 CLE Credits. Full Credits: NJG (1.8); NYPT (1.5); PAS (1.5).
Moderator/Speaker:
Ayesha Krishnan Hamilton, Esq., Hamilton Law Firm PC
Speakers:
Michael G. Donahue, Esq., Stark & Stark
Diana C. Manning, Esq., Bressler Amery & Ross, PC
Corinne McCann Trainor, Esq., Fox Rothschild
Karol Corbin Walker, Esq., Kaufman Dolowich