The NJSBA Minorities in the Profession Section Presents - Juneteenth From Enslavement to Empowerment Why Representation matters.







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The New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys (NJILGA), in coordination with the Monmouth Bar Association, will be presenting a FREE lunch and learn seminar for all local government attorneys on Thursday, June 15, 2023 from 11:00am – 1:00pm at Davison Eastman Muñoz Paone, P.A. in Freehold, NJ. For the flyer - click Read More

The New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys has conferred its 2022 Fred G. Stickel Memorial Award on Richard P. Cushing of Clinton. The annual award, which is given by the Institute to a member of the New Jersey bar who has demonstrated excellence in the field of public sector law and has contributed time and effort to advance the interests of municipal law, was presented to Cushing at the Institute’s Annual Meeting held in Atlantic City on November 24, 2022. It is the highest award given by NJILGA.

The award is named in honor of Fred G. Stickel, III, who practiced municipal law for over fifty years and was counsel to the New Jersey State League of Municipalities for many years. As a prominent member of the public sector bar, Fred Stickel donated countless hours to advance the orderly operation of local governments in New Jersey. Richard Cushing has been a municipal attorney for numerous municipalities and is assigned by joint insurance funds and insurance companies to defend public entities and their officials throughout the State of New Jersey when they are sued for land use, civil rights, sexual-harassment, RLUIPA, personnel, sewer and water issues. He is a 1972 cum laude graduate of Seton Hall Law School and clerked for Justice Mark Sullivan of the New Jersey Supreme Court. He formerly served as municipal judge for the City of Lambertville and West Amwell Township. He has spoken and written extensively on issues pertaining to public entities.

Previous recipients of the Stickel Award have been Gordon D. Griffin, Michael A. Pane, William J. Kearns, Jr., Edward J. Buzak, Edwin Schmierer, John L. Kraft, Stuart Koenig, Thomas W. Dunn, Robert F. Renaud, Martin T. Durkin, Robert T. Regan, John C. Gillespie, Michael J. Herbert (posthumously), Kristina P. Hadinger, Carl Woodward, Trishka Waterbury Cecil, Jeffrey R. Surenian, Christopher “Jerry” Dasti, Russell R. Huntington and William R. Holzapfel.

At the NJILGA Social Event on November 17, 2022, in Atlantic City, Senior Trustee William J. Kearns, Jr. received a special award from NJILGA’s Officers and Trustees “In grateful recognition of a lifetime of dedicated and exemplary service as Senior Life Trustee of the Institute of Local Government Attorneys and as General Counsel to the New Jersey State League of Municipalities”. The award was presented by NJILGA President Richard P. Cushing. Mr. Kearns is a graduate of Saint Peter's College where he received his B.S. in American History and Political Science and of the School of Law, Newark, of Rutgers University where he received his Juris Doctor degree. He is the General Counsel for the New Jersey State League of Municipalities and is of Counsel to the firm of Helmer, Conley & Kasselman in Bridgeton. He served as Municipal Attorney for Willingboro Township and Florence Townships and as Special Counsel or Planning Board/Zoning Board of Adjustment attorney for several municipalities. He is the attorney for two Municipal Joint Insurance Funds. Mr. Kearns serves on the Privacy Study Commission mandated by the Open Public Records Act and is Chair of the Commission's Technology Subcommittee. He was elected to three terms as a member of the Township Council in Willingboro, where he has also served twice as Mayor and has served on the Planning Board. He has served as Chair of both the Local Government Law Section and the Women's Rights Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association. He served on the New Jersey Supreme Court's Task Force on Women in the Courts. He is a Past President of the International Municipal Lawyers Association and a Senior Trustee of the New Jersey Institute of Municipal Attorneys. Mr. Kearns is a Past President of the Burlington County Bar Association, the Burlington County Chamber of Commerce, the Burlington County United Way, and Family Service of Burlington County. He has received numerous awards and honors for his community service. He is one of nine attorneys from across the country to be the first to receive the designation as a "Local Government Fellow" of the International Municipal Lawyers Association. He has been awarded the "Diplomate in Local Government Law" by the New Jersey Institute of Municipal Attorneys and is the recipient of the 2001 Fred G. Stickel Award for excellence in Local Government Law. He has lectured and written on a number of local government and legal topics for the Rutgers Center for Government Services, the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, the New Jersey Municipal Law Review, the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, the International Municipal Lawyers Association and the University of Wisconsin College of Engineering Continuing Education Program. He serves on the Curriculum Committee and teaches courses in Land Use and Municipal Procedure for the Diplomate in Municipal Law program.

The Annual Business Meeting of the New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys was held on Thursday, November 17, 2022, immediately following the conclusion of the Institute’s CLE Programs at the Convention Center in Atlantic City. Agenda items included the election of Officers and one half of NJILGA’s Trustees from all vicinages in New Jersey and other regular business. The following Officers were elected for a two-year term beginning January 1, 2023: Michele R. Donato (President), Steven P. Goodell (1st Vice President), Douglas A. Heinold (2nd Vice President), Sharon A. Dragan (Treasurer), and Michael J. Pasquale (Secretary). Trustees were elected for a two-year term from their respective vicinages: Robert T. Regan (Bergen), Eileen Fahey (Burlington), Victor Afanador (Essex), William L. Horner (Gloucester/Cumberland Salem), Steven W. Kleinman (Hudson), Elissa Grodd Schragger (Mercer), T.K. Shamy (Middlesex), Lani M. Lombardi (Monmouth) Ronald P. Mondello (Morris/Sussex), Jean Kephart Cipriani (Ocean), Richard W. Wenner (Somerset/Hunterdon/Warren), Samantha Castrellos (Union) and Dominick P. DiYanni and Jason Holt (At-Large Trustees).Following the Annual Meeting, the Institute’s Social Event was held at Ceasar’s Tiberius Room. The agenda for the Social Event included the swearing in of newly elected Officers and Trustees, presentation of awards and enjoyment of the Institute’s famous lamb chops and other refreshments. Retiring President Richard Cushing was also presented with the traditional NJILGA Clock by the Officers and Trustees in appreciation of his services as President during 2021-22. The Institute thanks President-Elect and Event Chair Michele Donato and her Committee for their efforts in providing a comprehensive offering of successful CLE programs and a very enjoyable social event.

The New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys, in cooperation with the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, provided an extensive selection of CLE programs at the State League of Municipalities Conference in Atlantic City on November 16 & 17, 2022. The programs were well attended, with many having standing room only. A complete listing of the programs given, as well as the CLE credits available click link NJLM Program Schedule. All CLE programs were free to registrants of the League Conference. Attendees are reminded to log onto the League’s CEU tracking system to print out their certificates of attendance.

The New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys (“NJILGA”), in coordination with the Bergen County and Passaic County Bar Associations, presented a complimentary lunch and learn seminar for local government attorneys on September 14, in the new Passaic County law offices of Scarinci Hollenbeck, L.L.C. at The Overlook Corporate Center in Little Falls, N.J. The seminar was entitled “Hot Topics in Environmental Law for the New Jersey Local Government Attorney” and was presented by John Scagnelli, Esq. The seminar provided an interesting and useful overview of some of the important actions that the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protections has recently taken and how these impact local governments generally and land use, in particular. Topics included the New Jersey flood management rules, new environmental justice regulations, municipal lead in municipal lead in rental properties inspections, N.J. Dirty Dirt Law and regulations and draft N.J. guidelines on warehouse development. CLE credit for the seminar was available. NJILGA thanks Donald Scarinci, John Scagnelli and Scarinci Hollenbeck, L.L.C. for providing this successful seminar.

Rutgers University's Center for Government Services (CGS) and the New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys (NJILGA) have relaunched the Diplomate in New Jersey Local Government Law Program. Through this educational partnership, attorneys will enhance their knowledge, competency, and professionalism in the various aspects of local government law and earn their Diplomate in NJ Law certificate. The Fall 2022 course schedule is now available and registration is open. Read More

The New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys (“NJILGA”), in coordination with the Bergen County and Passaic County Bar Associations, will be presenting a free lunch and learn seminar for local government attorneys on September 14, 2022, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at The Overlook Corporate Center and new Passaic County law office of Scarinci Hollenbeck, L.L.C. at 150 Clove Road, Little Falls, N.J. The seminar will be held in the buildings conference center, meeting room A, on the lobby level. Read More

We at NJILGA acknowledge and honor that June is not only Pride Month but also the celebration of Juneteenth recognizing the end of slavery in the United States. We stand with our colleagues, clients and citizens in acknowledgement and appreciation of these events. We will continue to strive to make New Jersey a welcoming, safe and equal place to live, work and govern.

Rutgers University's Center for Government Services (CGS) and the New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys (NJILGA) are pleased to announce the relaunch of the Diplomate in New Jersey Local Government Law Program. Through this educational partnership, attorneys will gain knowledge in the various aspects of local government law including local contracts, finance, and real estate, among many others. Program information and course schedules for the spring 2022 semester are available in the attached brochure and online at Read More

The free webinar sponsored by NJILGA in cooperation with the New Jersey League of Municipalities (NJLM) entitled “The Open Public Meetings Act: Tricky Issues and Slippery Slopes,” scheduled for Thursday, March 17,2022 from 11:00 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. is full to capacity and cannot accommodate any additional registrants. The webinar will be recorded and posted on the NJILGA website at: www.njilga.org; however, CE credits will not be available for watching the recording. If you are registered for the webinar and find that you cannot attend, please cancel your registration so that others may attend. We apologize for any inconvenience. Listen to recording of webinar- click link --> Read More

Copies of NJILGA Past President Trishka Waterbury Cecil’s 2021 Year-End Law Review Compendium (the “Big Book”) have been emailed to all NJILGA members. It is also now available in the Member’s Section of this website. The Institute extends its appreciation to Trishka and to all those who assisted her in compiling this important resource. Highlights from the Compendium were presented by Trishka and 2nd Vice President Stephen P. Goodell at the annual NJLM Conference in Atlantic City. NJILGA thanks Trishka and Steve for their presentation.

At the Institute’s Social Event on November 18, 2021 a Special Recognition Award was presented to Senior Trustee and retiring Editor, Thomas W. Dunn, in appreciation of his distinguished and dedicated service as Editor of the NJILGA Local Government Law Review from 2003 through 2021. Mr. Dunn assumed the position of Editor following Michael Pane, who served as Editor for many years prior to his death in 2003. Tom Dunn worked tirelessly during his tenure as Editor, leading a dedicated group of contributing editors and organizing and refining a wide range of legal analysis and commentary into a respected and important legal publication. NJILGA’s Board of Trustees is very grateful for Tom’s service.

The 2021 Michael A. Pane Ethics in Government Award has been presented posthumously to William J. Hamilton, Jr.of New Brunswick. The Pane Award, established by the Pane family and the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, and administered by the New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys and the NJLM, is given in honor or Michael A. Pane, Sr., who was a Past President of NJGILA, the long-time editor of the NJILGA Municipal Law Review, Counsel to the New Jersey Association of Municipal Clerks and Assistant Counsel to the NJLM, author of the Local Government Law volumes of the New Jersey Practice series, and a faculty member in the Institute’s Diplomate in Municipal Law Program. His contirubtions to local governemnt law scholarship were immense. He received the Fred Stickel Award for excellence in municipal law, the highest award given by the Institute, the President’s Distinguished Service Award from the League of Municipalities, the Achievement in Planning Award from the Association of New Jersey Planning Officials and the Frank J. Osborne Memorial Award in public health from the NJ Health Officers’ Association. The Pane Award honors a municipal professional who exemplifies the highest standards of ethics and whose work has significantly enhanced the integrity of local government. William Hamilton was former Speaker of the New Jersey Assembly and a State Senator representing parts of Middlesex and Somerset Counties. In 1981, he sought the Democratic nomination for Governor. He graduated from St. Peter’s High School, Rutgers University, Georgetown Universtiy Law School and received a master’s degree in history from Monmouth University. He served as an aviator in the U.S. Navy and later in the reserves, rising to the rank of Captain. In 1962 he was appointed First Assistant U.S. Attorney in Jacksonville by then Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. He prosecuted civil and criminal cases. In 1967 he returned to New Jersey where he established a private law practice, eventually speciailizing in municipal law. He served as Borough Attorney for Highland Park, Municipal Attorney for South Brunswick, Winfield Park and Carteret. He served New Brunswick as City Attorney from 1986 until he retired and later supported the City law department as Special Counsel until his death in 2019. He served on numerous boards of trustees, including the Crossroads Theatre Company and St. Peter’s Medical Center, Senior NJILGA Trustee and League General Counsel, Bill Kearns recounted both Michael Pane’s and Bill Hamilton’s distinguished backgrounds and numerous accomplishments. NJILGA Executive Director, Peter Jost, and NJILGA First Vice President, Michele Donato, also spoke of their personal impressions of Bill Hamilton’s exceptional ethics, integrity and sincerity. The Pane Award was accepted in memorium by Bill’s son, William J. Hamilton, III, on behalf of the Hamilton family. Also in attendance was current New Brunswick City Attorney, T.K. Shamy.

Dear Members -- The New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys and the Bergen County Bar Association are postponing our scheduled September 29, 2021 North Jersey Networking Social Event due to concerns with the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Plans are being made to reschedule this event for the Spring of 2022.

Thank you for your patience and we look forward to seeing you in the Spring,

Edward W. Purcell, Esq., Chair

The New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys and the Bergen County Bar Association will host a North Jersey Networking Social Event on Wednesday, September 29, 2021 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. at Casual Habana Restaurant, 125 Main Street, Hackensack NJ 07601. Additional Parking: BCBA Offices, 15 Bergen St., Hackensack NJ 07601

Admission is free for NJILGA members and non-members, and all local government attorneys are welcome.

Meet, greet and network with your fellow North Jersey colleagues !

There will be a cash bar and complimentary appetizers provided by our sponsoring law firms.

Please R.S.V.P. by September 27, 2021 to .

Click here for presenter bio's and related references for today's meeting

As part of its service to our members, the profession and the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, I am pleased to announce that NJILGA’s Diversity Committee, headed by Jason Holt, and members Victor Afanador, Trishka Cecil, Elissa Schragger and Steve Kleinman, will be presenting an excellent, free, lunchtime seminar on diversity. Without spending a dime, it will fulfill your diversity ethics credits, but more importantly will help you guide your clients in the fraught areas of recognizing and avoiding inadvertent bias in word and deed. Whether you are right of Attila the Hun or left of Mao Zedong it is important to recognize when your foot, or your client’s, is about to explode a hidden bias mine. As lawyers we need, and are obligated by our ethics obligations, to know how to communicate in ways that don’t give offense because of preconceived notions about others. We also need to help our clients communicate in ways that don’t allow a language gaff to interfere with the intended message.

Jason and his team have put together an impressive group of skilled communicators who will share their varied perspectives in an engaging manner. I think we will all leave the seminar with a more nuanced view of getting along in a new America. The investment of your time at lunch will be rewarding. In view of the timely importance of this program, we are also making it available to non-member attorneys and other public officials and employees.

Dick
Richard Cushing, President .

Click here for complete meeting information

The Board of Trustees of the New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys (“NJILGA”) has formed its first Diversity Committee. The Committee, established in January 2021, is chaired by NJILGA Trustee Jason Holt and includes NJILGA Past President Trishka Waterbury Cecil, and Trustees Victor Afanador, Elissa Grodd Schragger and Steven Kleinman. The Diversity Committee will drive the core mission of educating, promoting and fostering diversity, equity and inclusion in legal business development and professional opportunities, as well as increasing diverse attorney visibility in NJILGA, public and private entities, and the practice of law at-large.

NJILGA President Richard P. Cushing noted, “This committee is the latest in a series of efforts to champion and crystallize our organization’s commitment to inclusiveness and diversity within the public entity realm and the legal profession. In establishing this Committee, NJILGA is proud to continue its tradition of educating the next generation of attorneys and industry leaders within the State of New Jersey.”

Newly appointed Chair of the Diversity Committee, Jason Holt stated, “I am honored and humbled to be chosen as this Committee’s leader. I am excited to work with my fellow committee members, esteemed legal professionals I call my peers, to continue promoting high standards, professionalism and competence while elevating NJILGA’s inclusiveness to new heights. We are excited to get to work.”

NJILGA, an affiliate of the New Jersey State League of Municipalities, was established in 1951 for the purpose of promoting education and professionalism among local government attorneys, and to assist members of the legal profession to better serve local governments in the State of New Jersey. It presently has a membership of approximately 300 attorneys engaged in the representation of various local government units in the State of New Jersey, including municipalities, counties, planning and zoning boards, utilities authorities, and other local government entities.