April 2015 MCBA NEWSLETTER - Mercer County Bar Association
Transcription
April 2015 MCBA NEWSLETTER - Mercer County Bar Association
M e r c e r April-May 2015 C o u n t y A Publication of the Mercer County Bar Association Inside This Issue Page 3. Foundation Wine Tasting News 4. The Colonial Trials of West Jersey 6. Upcoming Bench Bar Meetings 8. Bench Bar Luncheon Photos 12. U.S. Bankruptcy Judgeship 13. Members on the Move 14. Welcome New Members 16. Members in the News 18. Calendar 20. Catching Up with the Honorable Joseph Bocchini, Jr. Printed by our local partner, 2100 Nottingham Way Hamilton, NJ 08619 Phone: 609-586-3838 Fax: 609-584-0274 Email: [email protected] Web: www.gominutemanpress.com Volume 34, Issue 2 From the President’s Desk… I often ask myself what is the secret to success? What strategies do effective people in our field employ? Is there a common approach that lawyers who enjoy respect in our vocation and realize their professional potential employ? I know that I am not alone in contemplating how to greater realize my potential in my legal specialty, in my case litigation, and as a member of the bar. I endeavored to answer these questions when I attended two luncheons that were part of the speaker series sponsored by the Women Lawyers committee of the MCBA which is co-chaired by Melissa Chimbangu of Szaferman Lakind and Corrine Cooke of Stark and Stark. In February at Drinker Biddle and Reath we gathered to hear from retired Chief Justice Deborah Poritz. She spoke to us about her long and distinguished career as an attorney and Justice and how she represented Governor Christie Todd Whitman for a period of time. She discussed the balance of work and life and her willingness to take professional risks to further her career. She spoke about the roads she took as well as those she passed up. She left us with the advice to challenge ourselves, to be passionate about our calling and to be industrious. Chief Justice Poritz explained that many of her “breaks” were not only as a result of hard work but also attributable to her maintaining her professional relation- Michelle Gasparian ships through her many positions throughout her legal career. It was retaining those ties which bore much professional fruit. In March Pepper Hamilton, Stephanie Jonaitis hosted members of the bar to hear from the Honorable Anne Thompson of the US District Court in New Jersey Judge Thompson focused on what she considered one of the highlights of her career; her time as Mercer County Prosecutor. She described her nomination by Governor Brendan Byrne as a seminal point in her professional life. Then Prosecutor Thompson was the first African-American woman in the State to hold this position. She spoke to us about being a trailblazer in her field and how the concepts of justice and fairness guided her decision making process. Judge Thompson was nominated the position of District Court Judge by Senator Bill Bradley. When I asked her how she got on the “radar screen” for the position she told the group that she was chosen A Publication of the Mercer County Bar Association Page 2 April-May 2015 A Publication of the Mercer County Bar Association M e r c e r April-May 2015 Officers Michelle S. Gasparian President C o u n t y Volume 34, Issue 2 609-989-6350 Colleen M. Crocker President—Elect 609-890-0050 Robert E. Lytle Vice President 609-275-0400 Angelo J. Onofri Treasurer 609-989-6307 Brian J. Duff Secretary 609-585-2443 Trustees 2015 John Carbonara Robin E. Echevarria John S. Eory Kimberly Gandy Jinks Brian W. Shea 609-989-6350 609-799-9222 609-896-9060 609-803-3100 609-586-9000 2016 Robert F. Casey T. Sandberg Durst Michael Kahme Thomas Onder Tanya L. Phillips 609-896-2000 609-436-9079 609-924-0808 609-896-9060 609-771-8611 2017 Joseph P. Blaney Margaret A. Chipowsky Jeffrey M. Gradone Frank P. Spada, Jr. Monica Wahba 215-205-6828 609-896-2404 609-580-3700 609-452-0808 609-716-6500 Dorothy E. Bolinsky Immediate Past President 609-716-6500 Craig Hubert, Esq. NJSBA Representative 609-275-0400 MCBA Office 609-585-6200 The MERCER COUNTY LAWYER is published six times per year; February, April, June, October, and December. Advertisements appearing in the MERCER COUNTY LAWYER are the viewpoints of the contributors and are not necessarily endorsed by the Mercer County Bar Association or its members. The MCBA does not vouch for the accuracy of any legal analysis, citations, or opinions expressed in any articles contained herein. Individuals who are interested in joining the Association, placing advertising, or contributing articles should contact the Bar Association office at 609-585 -6200, fax 609-585-5537 or e-mail [email protected]. The newsletter deadline is the last Wednesday of the month preceding the publication month. to serve on a committee to vet candidates for several openings on the District Court. Her colleagues on that committee, unbeknownst to her, then put her name forward as someone who has the character and credentials for the position herself. Her advice was to be engaged with the community. Seek out opportunities to meet people whether it be through politics, professional networking or attending professional social events. She told us to be confident, be personable and be professional. Chief Justice Poritz (ret.) and Judge Thompson both stressed the importance of the professional relationships that they built during their careers. These relationships have been the gateway to many of the positions that they have held during their respective careers. The MCBA most recently held the annual bench bar ethics luncheon on March 25, where over 175 members got the opportunity to build or build on friendships and earn valuable ethics credits while enjoying a tasty meal. The panel was comprised of Justice Anne Patterson, Hon. Thomas Sumners, J.A.D., Hon. Robert Billmeier, J.S.C., Paula Granuzzo, Esq., David Dugan, Esq., and moderated by yours truly. The judiciary of Mercer County came out in force with 14 current and retired judges attending the event. We learned about ethical pitfalls, emerging traps, and other professional dilemmas and viewed skits focused in ethics in a digital age. There are still many exciting learning and networking opportunities in store for our members coming in the near future. We are very excited for our May 5 General Membership Meeting where we will be honoring Hon. Jane Grall, J.A.D., Hon. Anthony Parrillo, J.A.D., Hon. Paulette Sapp Peterson, J.A.D., Hon. Mark J. Fleming, J.S.C., Hon. F. Patrick McManimon, J.S.C., and Hon. Joseph Bocchini, Prosecutor. On May 21, the Women Lawyers will host a wine tasting and ethics panel at Rat’s. Of course, on May 29, our annual Foundation fundraiser will take place at the Stone Terrace – more winetasting! Of course, it’s never too early to save the date for Xtreme CLE. We will be back at Mercer County College on November 17. The Mercer County Bar Association is here to provide you with the tools for success. We provide programming, social networking and community support for those most in need. Be an active part of the bar and see you on May 5th! Thanks to our Platinum Sponsor A Publication of the Mercer County Bar Association Page 3 April-May 2015 Dear Friends and Members: Although the cold air still has some fight left in her, the beginning of 60-plus-degree days and the flowering of trees and plants are welcome indicators that winter’s retreat and defeat are, at least for the time being, inevitable. We hope everyone has begun to feel the rejuvenating spirit ushered in by Spring. As warm air continues to develop, so too does MCBF’s continued hard work and planning towards its philanthropic goals to help support both our Association and our community. For those of you who have contributed in the past, on behalf of the Foundation, we’d like to thank you for your support. The ability to offer assistance to Dress For Success, T.A.S.K and Meals on Wheels, to provide financial aid to law students in need, and to finance anti-bullying programs through KITES could not exist without the support and contributions of the Association Members and their Board Members. The traditional Annual Dinner Dance, which historically had been MCBF’s largest fund raiser of the year, has given way to a more lighthearted and casual wine tasting. We are happy to report that last year’s event, held at the Stone Terrace was a huge success with over 15 distributors and a fabulous silent auction. It’s our intent to include all our members – that includes Beer and Wine Lovers - and have added a beer tasting to this year’s event. Please mark your calendars for this year’s Wine Tasting which will be held on Friday, May 29 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Stone Terrace restaurant in Hamilton. We hope to see more people and less rain. Please help us make this year’s event even better by your support and contributions to our Silent Auction. No items are too small, and definitely none are too large. Please consider donating items such as a bottle of wine, a gift certificate, jewelry, a gift basket, a golf foursome, timeshare vacation property, sports equipment/memorabilia, electronics, or anything else you desire. As professionals, we all have favorite restaurants or shops that we patronize. We’ve found that most businesses are usually thrilled to make a small donation of goods or services, not only for marketing purposes but for the good things accomplished by the MCBF. Everything is appreciated, including cash donations. You may make a donation on behalf of your firm, or a group of members, or on your own behalf. Your commitment to donate something may be made by sending an email to [email protected] and [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from you. Warm regards, Denise Mariani, Esq. Mark H. Renzi MCBF Trustees and Silent Auction Co-Chair A Publication of the Mercer County Bar Association April-May 2015 Page 4 The Colonial Courts of West Jersey Franklin Flacks, Esq. Esq. By Franklin L. Flacks, On July 1, 1676, a legal document known as the Quintipartite Deed was executed which split the Province of New Jersey into the Provinces of West Jersey and East Jersey from 1676 until 1702. Disputes over the exact dividing points between the two provinces continued until a final dividing line was adopted in 1743. Remnants of the dividing line include Province Line Road in Mercer County. What is now Mercer County was part of the Province of West Jersey. Mercer County was not formed until February 22, 1838, by an act of the Legislature, from portions of Burlington and Hunterdon Counties. Under the proprietary government of West Jersey, there only existed one court for the trial of smalls causes, held by a single justice of the peace, with a right to appeal to the county court. County courts or courts of sessions, as they were called, were first established in 1682. They were to be held four times per year by the justices of the peace in each county. In 1693, a Supreme Court of Appeals was created consisting of one or more of the justices of each County and one or more of the Governor’s Council. Initially, the court was strictly an appellate tribunal but in 1699 it was changed and call the Provincial Court and composed of three judges to be chosen by the House of Representatives and one or more of the justices of each County. It was to have both original and appellate jurisdiction. In any matter amounting to more than twenty pounds, there was an appeal from the judgment to the General Assembly,. In 1693, a court of Cyer and Terminer (of hearing and determining) was established for the trial of capital crimes to be composed of a judge to be appointed by the Governor and Council, assisted by two or more justices of the County where the crime was committed. However, at this time, there were no capital offenses in West Jersey for which the punishA Publication of the Mercer County Bar Association ment of death was prescribed. If a person was convicted of murder or treason, the sentence and manner of execution was left to the General Assembly. Queen Anne of England appointed her cousin, Lord Cornbury, as the first royal governor of the Provinces of New Jersey and, in 1704, he created a Supreme Court of the Judicature, to be held alternatively in Burlington and in Perth Amboy and to have jurisdiction in all pleas, civil and criminal. The same ordinances provided that every justice of the peace, residing within any town or County was fully empowered to have jurisdiction over all causes of debt or trespass having a value of forty shillings or less. They also provided for a Court of Common Pleas in each County with the power to hear and try all actions at common law, with an appeal, where the judgment was up to ten pounds. All judges of these courts had the power to make all rules and order for practicing and proceeding as any judge could do in the English courts. Furthermore, no person’s right of property should be determined unless found by a verdict of twelve “men of the neighborhood.” In 1705, Lord Cornbury passed an ordinance establishing the High Court of Chancery for the Province of New Jersey. The Court was comprised of the Lieutenant-Governor and three Council members and could hear and determine all causes that, by custom and usage, could be heard by the High Court of Chancery of England. These were the Courts whose jurisdiction extended over the Province of West Jersey Page 5 April-May 2015 (including Trenton) and later in the United Province of New Jersey and were in operation when the Province became a State in 1776. Little Legal Learning in Colonial Times According to Walker and Traver’s, A History of Trenton 1679-1929, Princeton Univ. Press, 1929, there were “very few among those who practiced in the courts or sat on the Bench that made any pretense to legal learning.” There was no requirement of special training to practice law. The leading men of the Colony were farmers and Quaker preachers and the practice of law was not then a sought after profession in West Jersey, from the Duke of York to John Lord Berkeley and Sir George Carteret, stated that no person should be compelled to “fee any attorney to plead his cause, but that all persons should have free liberty to prosecute his own cause if he chose.” Keasbey, Courts and Lawyers of New Jersey, Vol. I, p. 147 Capital Crimes in Colonial Times At the time the Provinces of West and East Jersey were created, there was no capital crime, except as the Assembly might adjudge, after convictions in cases of treason and murder. Between 1703 and 1776, the Legislature added several penal statues denouncing crimes which now might be punishable by death. One especially notable crime which shows the inhumanity and cruelty to criminals convicted of certain crimes, involves counterfeiting gold or civil coins or any foreign country used within the Colony. If convicted, such criminals should be whipped, burned with the letter “R” on the left thumb, by an iron hot enough to make a lasting mark, fined, pilloried or having one’s ear clipped, or one or more of these punishments in the discretion of the court. If such a person was convicted before, in any of the neighboring Colonies, that person shall be adjudged guilty of a felony and be put to death without the benefit of clergy! Continued on page 20 A Publication of the Mercer County Bar Association April-May 2015 Page 6 s d e i f i s Clas ADVERTISING in the Mercer County Lawyer BRINGS RESULTS! If you have anything to sell, rent, or lease, let the MCL spread the word. Call 609-585-6200 for rate information. Discount rates for members. LAW OFFICE RENTAL Center City Office Park, Hamilton. One or two offices with or without secretarial area. Rent Negotiable. 609-585-5151. ASSOCIATE ATTORNEY -BARNABA & MARCONI, a Mercer County-Hamilton Township based civil litigation firm (specializing in defense) seeks an associate attorney with 4 – 6 years experience. The candidate should already be admitted to the NJ & PA Bars and have a strong interest in obtaining trial and pre-trial experience. Computer and good writing skills are required. Some Workers’ Compensation experience would be considered a plus. Please email resume & salary requirements to: [email protected] FLORIDA LEGAL SERVICES OR ASSISTANCE – Florida probate, trust, estate administration, real property and domicile assistance. Call T. Robert Zochowski, Esq., LLM (Tax) (member Florida and New Jersey Bar), 1001 North US 1, Suite 400, Jupiter, Florida. Call (609) 799-2111, (561) 7441175 or email [email protected]. Upcoming Bench Bar Meetings May 6th: Domestic Violence Working Group; Judge Cresitello’s Courtroom; 3:30 p.m. May 21st: Family Bench Bar Meeting Judge Fitzpatrick’s Courtroom: 3:30 p.m. June 18th: Municipal Bench Bar Meeting Ewing Municipal Court; 3:30 p.m. A Publication of the Mercer County Bar Association April-May 2015 Page 7 A Publication of the Mercer County Bar Association Page 8 April-May 2015 15th Annual Bench Bar Meeting And Ethics Seminar The War Memorial March 25, 2015 Over 175 members and our distinguished panel including Justice Anne Patterson, Hon. Thomas Sumners, Jr., Hon. Robert Billmeier, Paula Granuzzo, David Dugan and Michelle Gasparian reviewed taped vignettes and discussed the ethical pitfalls, emerging traps and other professional dilemmas at our Annual Bench Bar Luncheon. A warm thanks to our Video and Gold Sponsor, Guy J. Renzi & Associates and our talented actors and actresses who starred in our skits. A Publication of the Mercer County Bar Association Page 9 April-May 2015 Maeve Cannon, Joseph Priory, Paula Covello Sollami, Justice Anne Patterson and Hon. Robert Billmeier Paula Granuzzo, Michelle Gasparian and David Dugan Maryann Pidgeon, Tom Pryor and Richard Eland MCBA President Michelle Gasparian A Publication of the Mercer County Bar Association April-May 2015 Page 10 Hon. Thomas Sumners, Jr. Tina Bernstein Hon. Darlene Pereksta Hon. Mary Jacobson, Hon. Thomas Brown, Craig Hubert, Robert Morris and Thomas Manzo A Publication of the Mercer County Bar Association April-May 2015 Page 11 A Publication of the Mercer County Bar Association Page 12 A Publication of the Mercer County Bar Association April-May 2015 Page 13 April-May 2015 Members On The Move Geraldine R. Eure, Esq. Law Offices of Geraldine R. Eure, Esq. 624 Sanhican Drive Trenton, NJ 08618 609-695-2586 Christina V. Harvey, Esq. Lomurro, Munson, Comer, Brown & Schottland LLC. 100 Willow Brook Road, Suite 150 Freehold, NJ 07728 732-414-0300 Michael W. Landis, Esq. Spear, Greenfield & Richman, P.C. 10,000 Lincoln Drive East One Greentree Centre, Suite 201 Marlton, NJ 08053 Need a member’s 215-985-2424 Brian Shea, Esq. Kalavruzos Mumola Hartman and Lento 2681 Quakerbridge Road Hamilton NJ 08619 Tel. 609-586-9000 Fax: 609-586-9404 Email: [email protected] Website: www.kmhlawyers.com FIRMS ON THE MOVE Hill Wallack, L.L.P 21 Roszel Road Princeton, NJ 08540 Mailing Address P.O. Box 5226 Princeton, NJ 08543-5226 email or phone number ? Find it quickly through the member portal at www.mercerbar.com Altman, Legband & Mayrides is pleased to announce that KATHLEEN L. WOOD, ESQUIRE has become a partner of the firm A Publication of the Mercer County Bar Association April-May 2015 Page 14 Welcome New Members Justin Calta, Esq. Szaferman Lakind 101 Grovers Mill Road Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 609-275-0400 609-275-4511 (fax) Jennifer DelMedico, Esq. Jones Day 222 East 41st Street New York, New York 10017 212-326-3658 James L. Felix, Esq. Stark & Stark 993 Lenox Drive Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 609-945-7628 609-896-0629 (fax) Aleksandra Gontaryuk, Esq. AG Law Group, LLC P.O. Box 244 Metuchen, NJ 08840 908-336-7550 Patrick Kenney, Esq. Biggins, Lacy, Shapiro 47 Hulfish Street Princeton, NJ 08550 609-613-4262 Dina Khmelnitsky, Esq. New Jersey Economic Development Authority 36 West State Street Trenton, NJ 08628 609-968-3446 Bradley L. Mitchell, Esq. Stevens & Lee 100 Lenox Drive Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 609-243-9111 A Publication of the Mercer County Bar Association Sandra S. Moran, Esq. Buchanan Ingersoll & Rooney, PC 700 Alexander Park Suite 300 Princeton, NJ 08540 Robert N. Paessler, Esq. McMahon, Martine & Gallagher, LLP 404 Market Street Trenton, NJ 08611 609-396-2999 609-396-2254 (fax) April-May 2015 Page 15 A Publication of the Mercer County Bar Association Page 16 April-May 2015 Members In the News Bryan M. Roberts, Esq., an Associate in Stark & Stark’s Accident and Personal Injury Group, was elected to the Board of Directors of One S i m p l e W i s h . “To me, there is nothing greater than giving an innocent child hope, help and happiness,” Mr. Roberts said of his appointment. “One Simple Wish is an extraordinary organization that has given hope, help and happiness to the most vulnerable members of our local, state and naBryan Roberts tional communities. I am very proud to join One Simple Wish and further t h e i r m i s s i o n . ” One Simple Wish started in Trenton, New Jersey, and is now active in 48 states. The not-forprofit organization provides small wishes to children who are in foster care or have been abused, neglected or abandoned. To date, One Simple Wish has granted over 12,500 wishes. For more information, please visit w w w . o n e s i m p l e w i s h . o r g . Stark & Stark is the Presenting Sponsor of the Mercer County Park’s Spring Food Truck Fiesta benefiting One Simple Wish which takes place on Saturday April 18, 2015 from 11am- 7pm at the Mercer County Park. Bryan M. Roberts focuses his practice in the areas of wrongful death and catastrophic personal injuries from truck, motorcycle and automobile accidents to product and premises liability claims. As a licensed commercial truck and motorcycle operator, Mr. Roberts has unique insight into crashes involving these vehicles. He resides in Washington Crossing, Pennsylvania. A Publication of the Mercer County Bar Association Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman attorneys Kendall Medway and Jennifer R. Haythorn have been selected to the 2015 New Jersey Rising Stars list. Rising Stars is a division of Super Lawyers dedicated to recognizing the top up-and-coming attorneys in the state who are 40 years old and younger or who have been practicing for 10 years or less. No more than 2.5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by the research team at Super Lawyers to receive this honor. Mr. Medway is an associate in the firm’s Workers’ Compensation department. Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman has one of the largest Workers’ Compensation practices in New Jersey. Most of the departKendall Medway ment’s attorneys have been certified as Workers’ Compensation Trial Lawyers by The New Jersey Supreme Court. Ms. Haythorn is an associate in the Family Law d e p a r t ment. With one of the largest family law departments in Mercer County, PR&A has established a statewide repuJennifer Haythorn tation for excellence in addressing the host of emotional, Page 17 April-May 2015 financial, and legal issues that comprise family and marital matters. Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman announced that attorneys Gary Adams, Bruce Miller, Jeffrey Monaghan and Edward Slaughter have been selected to the 2015 New Jersey Super Lawy e r s l i s t . Jersey Super Lawyers, published by Thomson Reuters. Eckert Seamans recently announced it will be relocating its Trenton operations to 2000 Lenox Drive in Princeton, New Jersey, from its current location at 50 West State Street in Trenton. Relocation is expected to be completed by March 27, 2015. Mr. Adams, Mr. Miller & Mr. Monaghan are members of the firm’s Workers’ Compensation department. Pellettieri Rabstein & Altman has one of the largest Workers’ Compensation practices in New Jersey. Most of the department’s attorneys have been certified as Workers’ Compensation Trial Lawyers by The New Jersey Supreme Court. Petrino, recognized 10 times by Super Lawyers for his land use/zoning, environmental and real estate work, focuses his practice on the acquisition, development and financing of real estate. He represents national, regional and local builders and developers before county, state and federal agencies with respect to the development of fee-simple residential communities, common interest communities and business and industrial parks, including industrial parks located within redevelopment areas and on brownfield sites. Petrino has extensive litigation experience in the regulation of the use, sale of interests, and environmental impact of real estate development. In addition, he represents clients in complex commercial litigation. Mr. Slaughter practices in the field of personal injury law. He represents persons injured in motor vehicle accidents, construction accidents, people injured by products, as a result of medical and nursing malpractice and from falls or premises accidents. He has been a Certified Civil Trial Attorney since 1986. Gary Adams Bruce Miller Eckert Seamans Cherin & Mellott, LLC is very pleased to announce that Members (partners) Frank J. Petrino, Michael A. Spero and Robert P. Zoller were recently selected for inclusion in the 2015 edition of New Spero, recognized by Super Lawyers for the tenth consecutive year in general and business litigation and civil litigation defense, concentrates his practice in civil litigation and complex litigation matters. He is authorized by the Supreme Court of New Jersey to be designated as a Certified Civil Trial Attorney. Spero has handled cases in every county of New Jersey and also tried cases in all three Federal District Courts in New Jersey involving a wide variety of matters including corporate, commercial, construction, employment, personal injury and professional negligence, trying over 100 cases to completion. In addition to his litigation and trial practice, he has served as a Certified Arbitrator since 1985, a Certified Mediator since 1994 for the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey and a designated Mediator for the New Jersey Statewide Mediation Program since August 1995. A Publication of the Mercer County Bar Association April-May 2015 Page 18 April April 28, 2015 New Jersey Notary Training CLE Seminar MCBA Office 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. May May 5, 2015 Real Estate Luncheon 2.0 CLE Seminar Disclosure Requirements in Real Estate Transactions Greenacres Country Club 11 a.m. to 2:p.m. May 5, 2015 Trustees Meeting MCBA Office 12:30 to 2:30 p.m. May 5, 2015 May General Membership Meeting Mercer Oaks 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. May 19, 2015 Real Estate Trustees Meeting MCBA Office 9:00 to 10:00 a.m. May 21, 2015 Women Lawyers and Wine Tasting Rats 5:30 to 8:00 p.m. May 14, 2015 Lawyers CARE Mercer County Connection 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. May 29, 2015 Foundation Wine & Dine (+Beer) Annual Fundraiser Stone Terrace by John Henry 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. June June 2, 2015 Trustees Meeting Marsillo’s Kitchen 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. June 18, 2015 Municipal Bench Bar Meeting Ewing Municipal Courthouse 3:30 to 5:00 p.m. June 9, 2015 Bankruptcy and Real Estate Transactions CLE Luncheon Seminar Greenacres Country Club11 a.m. to 2 p.m. June 11, 2015 Lawyers CARE Mercer County Connection 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. June 11, 2015 Community Projects Serve Lunch at Trenton Area Soup Kitchen 10:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. June 25, 2015 Annual Golf Outing Mt. View Golf Club 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Visit us online at www.mercerbar.com/calendar_of_events.htm to see our complete calendar of events, register online for an event or to download a registration flyer. A Publication of the Mercer County Bar Association Page 19 April-May 2015 New Jersey LAWYERS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM 800-24-NJLAP www. njlap.org Never Again will a Lawyer have to say “there was no where to turn.” “Whatever the problem, you do not have to manage alone.” Lawyers are not unique. Attorneys can and do suffer from depression, alcohol and drug abuse and other problems. Early intervention mostly leads to successful recovery. When you, or a lawyer you know is in trouble, call 800-24-NJLAP. NJLAP is always confidential so you need not be concerned that a call is doing harm. In fact, your call may be career and life saving. Since 1993, NJLAP has helped thousands of lawyers—all confidentially and free of charge. The Lawyers Assistance Program is approved by the New Jersey Supreme Court. The program assures utmost confidentiality by adopting Rule 1:28 B-3. Additional information about this program is available on our website or by calling 1-800-246-5527. The New Jersey Lawyers Assistance Program is funded by all members of the Bar with invaluable Administrative support from the NJ State Bar Association. MCBA Lawyer Referral Service MCBA Lawyer Referral Service– needs attorneys who focus on any of the following categories: Immigration, Landlord/Tenant, Administrative Law and Board of Education. We are also seeking Spanishspeaking attorneys in all practice areas. A Publication of the Mercer County Bar Association April-May 2015 Page 20 Catching Up with the Honorable Joseph Bocchini, Jr. Siobhan Mazzoni When did you know you wanted to become an attorney? Joe Bocchini: I probably knew from the time I was in grade school. Definitely by junior high school… My mother was very active in local politics. As a matter of fact, I remember your grandfather, Coleman [Hon. Brennan]. He used to be a Democratic committee member and he would knock on our doors and remind us it was time to go out and vote. I had the opportunity to be in the company of several lawyers when I was a youth. Which judge did you clerk for? JB: I clerked for Judge Bennett. And I had an opportunity to review municipal court appeals and prepare suggested opinions for the judge. I also reviewed the motions with him and had the opportunity to sit in the court room. He did a lot of criminal work in front of some of the best criminal trial attorneys at that time. Great experience. Can you recall your first case as a practicing attorney? JB: The first trial I had was when I went into private practice for a small firm out in Hightstown, Slocken & Bentley. I had a municipal court matter in Hightstown and Judge Essel was the judge at the time and the municipal court prosecutor was Harold Bogatz and I believe my client was charged with stealing oil I was in front of the court and I was trying to get something into evidence. The prosecutor kept objecting and finally I looked at the judge and said, “I know I can get this in? I just forgot how!” And the judge starts laughing and he said let me ask him a couple questions and I recall eventually I was able to get into evidence what I wanted. If you asked me what the outcome of the case was I don’t remember. How have things changed at the Prosecutor’s Office since you were first appointed 11 and a half years ago? JB: The office has grown so exponentially to the extent that the relationship between the County Prosecutor’s Office and the local police department is more interactive. We’ve also had the establishment of the Police Academy which was a benefit to all the police departments in Mercer County. Is there a phase or specific case that you will always remember during your time as the County Prosecutor? JB: There were several tragedies, you never forget those cases... The biggest case we had was the Operation Weeping Willow. That was the largest investigative seizure in the history of the county. It had a retail value of about $1,100,000 and we confiscated drugs, made 42 arrests and confiscated 42 motorcycles and 9 vehicles, In addition, we seized jewelry, over $70,000 as well as 10 or 11 weapons. It was a big operation. Thirty nine full time task force members were involved and probably 21 law enforcement agencies. What do you feel was your greatest accomplishment? JB: I have a difficult time saying what I ac- A Publication of the Mercer County Bar Association Page 21 April-May 2015 complished because any accomplishments I achieved was a result of the people I had around me. Let’s put it this way; I think the establishment of the Police Academy was a great accomplishment. When I took office, it was my feeling that there was a lack of diversity in the office. You know, most of the Mercer County Prosecutor’s office work revolves around Trenton. And keeping that in mind, the proportion of minorities [in the office] wasn’t efficient in my estimation. We had to make some changes to the man power in the office. Fortunately, we made significant improvements in the promotion and hiring of minorities. When you’re in the center of a community, you need to have the office reflect that community as much as possible and it’s something that I was very sensitive to. And in addition, in my first year I was able to get $6,000 raises across the board for each of my assistant prosecutors which allowed us to obtain some talented attorneys. What do you hope to achieve at Kalavruzos Mumola Hartman & Lento? What is it that attracted you to that firm? JB: I’ve always been a local guy, so to speak. They’re located in Hamilton, I live in Hamilton and they’re considerably younger than me and very talented and I enjoy the atmosphere in their office. My role there as counsel isn’t going to be so hard to the extent that I won’t be working full time, I’ll make my hours as I see fit and handle cases that I chose to handle and work on cases that speak to me. What advice do you have for aspiring and young lawyers? JB: It’s a wonderful profession. There are so many areas of the law today and everybody seems to specialize in a different aspect it. It’s something that if you want to do it, you need to be committed to it as the cost of education today is extremely expensive as compared to when I went to law school in the late sixties, early seventies. I’ve seen assistant prosecutors that we’ve hired out of law school that have $140,000 in school loans that have to be paid off. That’s almost a mortgage compared to the nominal amounts that I paid in law school tuition. That’s an aspect of it and you have to weigh that against what you hope to accomplish in the future. Unless you’re lucky enough to have parents to lift the load for you. If you didn’t become an attorney, what other profession do you think you would have gone into or tried? JB: Actually I taught school for two years before I went to law school. I taught in the Hamilton school district, I taught 6th grade my first year and my second year I taught 7th and 8th grade math. When I graduated from college I just wasn’t certain, I didn’t think I could get into law school and I needed a job and I couldn’t afford to go immediately so I got the teaching job. After I taught for a year and going into my second year I thought as much as I enjoyed it, it’s not something I wanted to do for the rest of my life. So I said, “you gotta take that shot and apply for law school and if you get in great, and if you don’t, well you have a job.” And the rest is history. I got in and I’ve had many great experiences over the years as a result of it. I had a lot of help. A lot of people were very kind to me along the way. Thank you for speaking with me. I read that you’re going to try to get some golf in now that you’re not serving another term. JB: As a matter of fact as I’m speaking to you I’m in a car, I’m not driving, but I’m in a car on my way to the Atlantic City Airport where I’m going to Myrtle Beach with 7 of my fellow members at Old York County Club to play golf for six days. A Publication of the Mercer County Bar Association Page 22 A Publication of the Mercer County Bar Association April-May 2015 April-May 2015 Page 23 A Publication of the Mercer County Bar Association Mercer County Bar Association 1245 Whitehorse Mercerville Road Suite 420 Mercerville, NJ 08619 PRSRT STD POSTAGE PAID TRENTON, NJ PERMIT NO. 589 Save The Dates! Mercer County Foundation 3rd Annual Wine and Dine Friday, May 29, 2015 The Stone Terrace Annual Golf Outing Thursday, June 25, 2015 Mt. View Golf Club Judges & Law Clerks Dinner Thursday, September 24, 2015 The Hamilton Manor The Holiday Party December 15, 2015 Trenton Country Club
Similar documents
Mercer County Bar Association
The MERCER COUNTY LAWYER is published six times per year; February, April, June, August, October, and December. Advertisements appearing in the MERCER COUNTY LAWYER are the viewpoints of the contri...
More information2013 April MCBA Newsletter - Mercer County Bar Association
Two final updates and then I’ll shut up. First, this year the MCBA golf outing is taking place at Cherry Valley Country Club, on Monday June 10th. The committee is hard at work putting the final de...
More information