The New Jersey State of Municipalities (NJLM) has provided the attached Shuttle Bus Schedule for the 2023 League Conference in Atlantic City on November 14 – 16 Read More

NJILGA’s Annual Meeting will be held on Thursday, November 16, 2023 at 4:30 p.m., immediately following the conclusion of the Institute’s CLE Programs at the Convention Center in Atlantic City. Agenda items include the election of one half of NJILGA’s Trustees from all vicinages in New Jersey and such other business as may come before the meeting. Following the Annual Meeting, the Institute’s Annual Social Event will be held from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Tiberius room at Caesar’s. The agenda for the Social Event includes the swearing in of newly elected Trustees, presentation of awards and enjoyment of the Institute’s famous lamb chops and other refreshments.

The New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys (NJILGA) will provide a full slate of CLE programs at the New Jersey State League of Municipalities Conference in Atlantic City on November 15 & 16, 2023. All CLE programs are open to registrants of the League Conference. NJILGA members will also be participating in additional programs sponsored by the League and its other affiliates. For a listing of NJILGA’s scheduled programs click Read More

The New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys (NJILGA) has established a scholarship program to assist selected attorneys enrolling in the Rutgers Municipal Attorney Training Program (Diplomate). The Diplomate Program is a cooperative endeavor between NJILGA and the Center for Government Services (CGS) at Rutgers. Courses are taught by experienced practitioners in the field of local government law. The NJILGA scholarships are intended to assist attorneys who might need financial assistance to take the Diplomate courses. The amount of each scholarship will be determined by NJILGA’s Scholarship Committee based upon availability of funds, number of applicants, qualifications and financial need. Click "Read more" for the Application form. The deadline for scholarship applications has been extended to December 15, 2023 for the Spring 2024 courses. Michele R. Donato, President
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Share Strategies with NJ's Top Municipal Attorneys Registration is now open for the 100% online Diplomate in New Jersey Local Government Law Program. Classes begin October 5th.

The program is a unique opportunity to swap and share strategies with experienced local government attorneys who specialize in local government law. It is presented in cooperation with the New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys (NJILGA).

As a Participant, You'll:

- Have multiple opportunities to compare strategies with top Municipal Attorneys across NJ

- Earn the Credential recognized by Governing Bodies & Municipal Boards

- Further extend your expertise and resume with the Rutgers Diplomate

- Earn CLEs (continuing learning education) and DCA (Department of Community Affairs) continuing education credits Read More

Managing Editor Joseph M. Wenzel announces that the Summer Edition of the NJILGA Law Review has been emailed to all members of the Institute. If you are a member and have not received your digital copy please contact Executive Director Peter Jost. The Institute expresses its sincere appreciation to Joe Wenzel and all of his contributing editors for their efforts in producing this outstanding quarterly publication.

Michele Donato, President

For the sample of the newsletter with table of contents, click Read More

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







To register, click Read More

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.

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

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.

Recently there has been a rise in acts of violence directed toward Asian American and Pacific Islanders. We call upon all likeminded Americans to stand in solidarity and condemn these and all acts of racism, hatred and bigotry. This organization joins with the Asian Pacific American Lawyers Association of New Jersey ("APALA-NJ") and other bar associations in denouncing these criminal acts that directly contradict the tenets upon which our nation was founded. It is incumbent upon all of us to work to eliminate bias, promote the dignity of each person and elevate the moral and social consciousness of our profession, State and nation. We accomplish this goal by not merely tolerating others, but by respecting and embracing the beneficence of our differences.

The New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys extends its heartfelt condolences to those who have suffered as victims of hatred, violence, loss and discriminatory treatment.

Dear Colleagues – Some of our members have reported that they have not been receiving e-blasts from NJILGA, or have been finding our e-mails in their “Junk Email” folders. To facilitate receiving our e-mails, please add the following address to your “E-mail Contacts” list: This should eliminate the problem.

Thanks,
J. Peter Jost
Executive Director

Dear Colleagues – This is just a reminder that the NJILGA website has a listing of Employment Opportunities for local government attorneys in the Members Section. If you are seeking a local government attorney to fill a position at your firm, please feel free to place an ad in our Members Section. It’s free!

Ads may be submitted to our Executive Director, Peter Jost at

Cordially,

Michele Donato, President

NJILGA Officer Steven Goodell, Esq. was the guest speaker at the New Attorney Admissions Ceremony, December 4, 2019 at the Old Courthouse, Ceremonial Courtroom, in a ceremony sponsored by the Gloucester/Cumberland/Salem County Vicinage and the Gloucester/Cumberland/Salem County Bar Associations. Steve discussed his incredible journey to return to what he loves, the practice of law, following a horrific bicycle accident that left him permanently disabled. His story is truly inspiring. Steve currently serves as Treasurer of the New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys (see articles below). Watch Steve’s talk at: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Gm0ydo4Hf2U

Any NJILGA member interested in being considered for nomination as a Trustee of the Institute from Atlantic-Cape May is invited to submit a resume or biographical information to Robert F. Renaud, Esq., Chair, Nominating Committee at . Trustee candidates must have an office or reside in the Atlantic-Cape May Vicinage. Trustees serve a term of two years. There are two trustees from each vicinage. Trustees are members of the Board of Directors of the Institute, the body which operates the Institute between annual meetings. The Trustees generally meet four times per year, in the evening. For additional information, contact Mr. Renaud.

NJILGA Officer Steven Goodell, Esq. will be the guest speaker at the New Attorney Admissions Ceremony, Wednesday, December 4, 2019, 3:00 p.m., Old Courthouse, Ceremonial Courtroom, in a ceremony sponsored by the Gloucester/Cumberland/Salem County Vicinage and the Gloucester/Cumberland/Salem County Bar Associations. Goodell will discuss his incredible journey to return to what he loves, the practice of law, following a horrific bicycle accident that left him permanently disabled. His story is truly inspiring. Steve currently serves as Treasurer of the New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys (see articles below). Assignment Judge Benjamin C. Telsey will preside over the ceremony, and representatives from the Cumberland, Gloucester, and Salem bar associations will offer remarks. Civil Division Judge MaryBeth Kramer will administer the NJ Oath of Admissions, Criminal Division Judge Robert Malestein will administer the PA Oath and Family Division Judge Gangloff will recite the lawyers pledge. The families and friends of the new attorneys are invited to celebrate this momentous occasion.

NJILGA Past President Martin Thomas Durkin, Sr. of Lexington, Kentucky formerly of Ridgefield Park, NJ passed away on October 17, 2019 at the age of 88. Martin had a distinguished career as a New Jersey attorney and was the recipient of the New Jersey Institute of Local Government Attorneys’ Fred G. Stickel Memorial Award for his contributions in the area of municipal law. In keeping with his passion for protecting the rights of municipal entities and the residents they serve, Martin was counsel of record in numerous cases on behalf of Ridgefield Park and nearby municipalities in his 50+ year career. Most notably, Martin (along with co-counsel from Teaneck) successfully enjoined Bergen County from allowing the county to operate a landfill on land that had been donated by Ridgefield Park and Teaneck for use as a park. This land now comprises Overpeck County Park, regarded as one of the top ten parks in NJ. A man of strong faith and ethics, he was a graduate of St. Cecilia’s High School in Englewood, St. Peter’s College and NYU Law School. Over his life he was on several local boards and committees and believed strongly in service. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Peter’s University, 2641 John F. Kennedy Blvd., Jersey City, NJ 07306 and St. Francis Church RC, Ridgefield Park, NJ.

Visitation November 8th, 4-7pm at Vorhees-Ingwersen Funeral Home, 59 Main Street, Ridgefield Park. Funeral mass November 9th at 11am at St. Francis RC Church, Ridgefield Park, NJ, followed by burial at Mt. Carmel Cemetery, Tenafly, NJ.