2026 Family Law Symposium
January 23-24, 2026 | Hyatt Regency, New Brunswick
Friday, Jan. 23 | 6 – 8 p.m.
Saturday, Jan. 24 | 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
About
The 2026 Family Law Symposium
On Jan. 23 and 24, join hundreds of family law attorneys, judges, paralegals and other related professionals at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick for New Jersey’s premier family law event – the 2026 Family Law Symposium! Reserve your seat today to hear thought-provoking and insightful presentations from many of the state’s leading lawyers and judges, and to network with colleagues and other family law professionals.
This year’s symposium features three dedicated segments on complex issues in custody matters. Each segment will focus on one of three vital topics in family law: substance abuse, sexual abuse allegations and learning disabilities. Additional cutting-edge topics include creative arguments around equitable distribution and innovative theories in litigation.
The symposium also includes the topics that you depend on, such as the top 10 reported and unreported cases of the previous year.
Don’t miss out on New Jersey’s top family law event featuring compelling and timely discussions, vendors who will assist you in your practice and more!
Rates
Family Law Symposium – Friday Night Rate:
– Section Members: $175
– Members: $187
– Non-Members: $234
Family Law Symposium – Saturday Rate:
– Section Members: $254
– Members: $271
– Non-Members: $339
Room Reservation Information at Hyatt Regency, New Brunswick
A block of rooms are being held at the Hyatt Regency in New Brunswick for Friday, Jan. 23 and Saturday, Jan 24. To make your reservations, please click here.
Important: Be sure to reserve your room before Jan. 2 to secure the group rate.
Friday | Jan. 23, 2026
6 – 8 p.m.
Death and Family Law
Join us for The Family Law Symposium Friday night seminar.
What happens when death collides with family litigation? This comprehensive seminar guides family law practitioners through the complex challenges that arise when a party dies during or after matrimonial or non-dissolution proceedings.
Our distinguished panel will explore the following topics:
- How to proceed if one party to a divorce action dies during the litigation
- How to properly present evidence to support the equitable distribution factors if one party is deceased
- How to proceed if a party in a non-dissolution action dies
- If child support from a parent die when that parent dies
- Custody, parenting time, and visitation issues that arise when one parent dies. Do grandparents have rights, do siblings, do aunts and uncles?
- Appropriate language to use in settlement agreements and wills to provide for a child’s care, custody, and support in the event one parent (or both) dies after the divorce
- Collecting legal fees from the estate of a deceased client
- Effective use of life insurance
Don’t miss out on this practical session for practitioners who want to be fully prepared for the unexpected twists of family law.
Moderator
John F. DeBartolo, Esq.
Law Office of Timothy F. McGoughran LLC, Ocean
Presenters
Cheryl E. Connors, Esq.
Tonneman & Connors, LLC, Little Silver
Kaitlyn A. Lapi, Esq.
Hagan Klein & Weisberg LLC- Main, Cedar Knolls
Frank A. Louis, Esq.
Greenbaum Rowe Smith & Davis LLP, Red Bank
Thomas A. Roberto, Esq.
Adinolfi, Roberto, Burick & Molotsky, PA, Mount Laurel
Elizabeth Rozin-Golinder, Esq.
Rozin Golinder Law, LLC, East Brunswick
Sheryl J. Seiden, Esq.
SeidenFreed, LLC, Cranford
| CLE Credits | |
| NJ CLE: | NJ CLE information: This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 2.4 hours of total CLE credit (Full Credits Available: NJ General: 2.4). |
| NY CLE: | NY Professional Practice Non-Transitional: 2.0 |
| PA CLE: | PA Substantive Credit: 2.0 New: No PA CLE fee is required for this program. To earn PA CLE credits, a valid PA Bar ID number must be entered into the CLE form provided after attending the program. |
Saturday | Jan. 24, 2026
9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
2026 Family Law Symposium
Program Agenda:
- 9:00 | Introduction by the Chair of the NJSBA Family Law Section – Cheryl E. Connors, Esq.
- 9:05 | Top 10 Reported Cases
- 9:40 | Litigation in Non-Dissolution Matters
Fewer couples are choosing to get married, which means more litigation in non-dissolution matters when they break up. - 10:50 | Break
- 11:00 | Technology in Family Law
Use of electronic evidence (texts, social media, emails) in custody and divorce cases, parental rights regarding child monitoring apps, tracking, and social media use, AI-generated content or deepfakes used maliciously in custody or divorce proceedings. - 12:10 | Lunch
- 1:00 | Top 10 Unreported Cases
- 1:35 | Creative Arguments Around Equitable Distribution
- 1:55 | Complex Issues in Custody Matters – Substance Abuse
- 2:45 | Complex Issues in Custody Matters – Sexual Abuse Allegations in Family Law
- 3:05 | Break
- 3:15 | Complex Issues in Custody Matters – Learning Disabilities
- 3:35 | Innovative Theories in Litigation
- 4:25 | Wrap Up
- 4:30 | Adjourn
Moderators
Cheryl E. Connors, Esq.
Tonneman & Connors, LLC, Eatontown
Stephanie Lomurro, Esq.
Manzi Epstein Lomurro & DeCataldo, LLC, West Orange
Sheryl J. Seiden, Esq.
SeidenFreed, LLC, Cranford
Presenters
Jeralyn L. Lawrence, Esq.
Past President, NJSBA
Lawrence Law, LLC, Watchung
Francesca O’Cathain, Esq.
O’Cathain Law Group
John P. Paone, Jr., Esq.
Paone Zaleski & Murphy, Red Bank
Amanda S. Trigg, Esq.
Cohn Lifland Pearlman Herrmann & Knopf LLP, Saddle Brook
| CLE Credits | |
| NJ CLE: | NJ CLE information: This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 7.5 hours of total CLE credit (Full Credits Available: Matrimonial Attorney-General: 2.4, NJ General: 7.5). |
| NY CLE: | NY Professional Practice Non-Transitional: 7.5 |
| PA CLE: | PA Substantive Credit: 6.0 New: No PA CLE fee is required for this program. To earn PA CLE credits, a valid PA Bar ID number must be entered into the CLE form provided after attending the program. |
Friday – I403526
Saturday – I014426
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/