Essex County Bar Association 1972 2022 Celebration of Our Fifty Year Members & Presentation of the 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award November 2, 2022
Program Welcome Shoshana Schiff ECBA President Presentation 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award to Karol Corbin Walker Remarks Gino A. Zonghetti Kaufman Dolowich Voluck LLP Karol Corbin Walker Kaufman Dolowich Voluck LLP Presentations Class of 1972 Officers of the Essex County Bar Association
Past Lifetime Achievement Award Recipients Samuel S. Saiber Lucas Phillips Honorable Marie L. Garibaldi Honorable Daniel J. O’Hern Honorable John J. Gibbons Adrian “Bud” Foley John P. McGee Thomas L. Morrissey Honorable Alvin Weiss Honorable Nicholas H. Politan Honorable Herman D. Michels Honorable William G. Bassler Joseph P. LaSala Honorable James R. Zazzali William B. McGuire David Samson Bernard A. Kuttner Mary Jean Gallagher Governor Brendan T. Byrne Honorable Katharine S. Hayden Laurence B. Orloff Honorable Michael A. Petrolle Honorable Edwin H. Stern Kenneth F. Kunzman Raymond M. Brown Benjamin M. DelVento, Sr.
2022 Lifetime Achievement Award Karol Corbin Walker Kaufman Dolowich Voluck LLP Karol Corbin Walker is a Jersey City native. Ms. Walker has built an impressive reputation in the State’s legal community, marked with a series of “firsts.” She is a partner with Kaufman Dolowich Voluck LLP, and heads its New Jersey Employment Group. Ms. Walker is a liti- gator, who tries cases in the State and Federal Courts. She argues cases before the Appellate Division of the Superior Court of New Jersey, New Jersey Supreme Court, and United States Court of Appeals for the Third and Seventh Circuits. Ms. Walker represents clients in business, commercial, and employment litigation matters. The New Jersey Supreme Court appointed her to several committees: Judicial Evalua- tion; Civil Practice; Character; Committee of the Tax Court and Ad Hoc Committee on Law Firm Trade Name. She has been listed as one of New Jersey “Super Lawyers” since its inception, and one of the top 50 women lawyers in New Jer- sey. Additionally, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey has certified Ms. Walker as an arbitrator and mediator. Ms. Walker is a proud graduate of Seton Hall University School of Law, which she entered through the Legal Education Opportunity Program. This is where her “firsts” started.
While at Seton Hall Law she excelled and in her second year, was on the Executive Committees of the Women’s Law Fo- rum, Black Law Student Association and Justice, Phi Alpha Delta Law Fraternity, simultaneously. Ms. Walker was the first of color Director of the Spring Moot Court Board. In the sum- mer of 1985, she took a course, worked at the then third larg- est law firm in New Jersey and married her soulmate, Paul. Ms. Walker learned to “love of the law,” from her Appellate Di- vision Judge David S. Baime. She was one of his law clerks during the 1986-1987 term. Judge Baime and Ms. Walker be- came dear friends and remained so, until his passing in 2021. Following her clerkship, Ms. Walker worked for the then sec- ond largest law firm in New Jersey where she learned the art of “lawyering.” She remained there until 1989. Thereafter in 1989, Ms. Walker joined the law firm of Robin- son, Wayne & La Sala. It is there, she learned and acquired the tools needed to become a litigator, trial lawyer and a Bar Association enthusiast. During this time, Ms. Walker was ac- tive in both the Essex County Bar Association (ECBA) and New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA). In the early 90’s she was an ECBA trustee. In 1995, Ms. Walker was the first African American woman to attain Partner status at any major New Jersey law firm. She remained with the merged succes- sor firms for 30 years, until 2019, when she joined her forever firm, Kaufman Dolowich & Voluck, LLP.
In 2003, Ms. Walker be- came the first African American President elected to the NJSBA in its then 105-year history. She was 20 years younger than her prede- cessor and successor. To date, Ms. Walker is the youngest female to have served as NJSBA President. She took her oath of office before a record- breaking, standing-room-only crowd. NJBIZ, in 2003, listed Ms. Walker as one of New Jer- sey’s top 25 Women of Influ- ence. In 2012, Ms. Walker became the first African American woman President of the National Con- ference of Bar Presidents. In June 2015, she was elected the first African American President of the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey. In August 2015, Ms. Walker became the first New Jersey at- torney appointed Chair of the American Bar Association’s (ABA) most prestigious Standing Committee of the Federal Judiciary (“SCFJ”). The SCFJ consists of 15 members who at that time, vetted every Federal District and Cir- cuit prospective judicial candidate pre- nomination, and every Supreme Court Justice post-nomination. She served a one-year term through 2016.
In August 2020, Ms. Walk- er became the first person of color and woman to be- come the State Delegate to represent New Jersey on the ABA’s House of Delegates (HOD) Nomi- nating Committee. In this role she chairs the New Jersey state delegation. For approximately 15 years prior, Ms. Walker was a delegate to the HOD through the NJSBA, Goal III Nomi- nating Committee Minority-at-Large and Woman-at-Large member. For the past several decades, Ms. Walker has held leadership positions and membership in numerous ABA and HOD committees, taskforces, and commissions. With her dedication to the law, community, and volunteerism, Ms. Walker has conquered many barriers of injustice during her career. A former Governor previously appointed Ms. Walker to the New Jersey State Ethics Commission to help ensure that State employees adhered to ethics rules. She currently serves as a member of the ECBA’s Judicial Screening Committee. Ms. Walker is Vice President of Legal Services of New Jersey Board; Member of the Salvation Army Morristown Corp Advisory Board; Elected Member, Ameri- can Law Institute, and an Ameri- can Bar Foundation, Life Fellow.
New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Marie Garibaldi sponsored Ms. Walker as a Dame in the Sovereign Military Order of Malta (Order of Malta), in 2005. At that time during an investiture cer- emony at St. Patrick’s Church in NYC, Ms. Walker took an oath that for the rest of her life she would help the sick and poor and defend the Catholic faith. The Order of Malta is a worldwide, lay religious order of the Roman Catholic Church. Spiritually trans- formed during her first Order of Malta pilgrim- age to Lourdes, France in 2010, since that time she participated in ten consecu- tive pilgrimages through 2019. Ms. Walker is a faith-filled indi- vidual. The cor- nerstone of her life is her Cath- olic faith that has solidified her dedication to the Church, the law, and the highest standards of professionalism. It also drives Ms. Walker’s service to her community. As a member of the As- sumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church in Morristown, Ms. Walker serves as an Extraordinary Minister of Holy Communion and an OCIA Program Coordinator.
One of Ms. Walker’s proudest moments was when she and her mother, Jeanette Corbin, received their B.A. degrees with honors, at the same time in 1980 from New Jersey City University. Jeanette, took a class “here and there” for nearly two decades to obtain her degree. Ms. Walker’s mother, who passed away in 1992, is her “she-ro.” Jeanette and father, George Corbin who died at the height of COVID in April 2020, emphasized education in their household and provided a faith-filled and loving home where each of their three children were encouraged to “shoot for the stars.” Ms. Walker resides in Morris Township with her supportive husband and best friend, Paul, to whom she has been married for 37 years. They have a blended family, that con- sists of four adult children, twelve grandchil- dren, six great grandchildren and another on the way!
Fifty Year Members 2022 Charles C. Abut Robert D. Borteck Hon. Dennis M. Cavanaugh, U.S.D.J. (Ret.) Michael Critchley, Sr. James M. Cundari Thomas S. DiBiasi Ollis Douglas, Jr. Stephen J. Edelstein James D. Ferrucci Jeffrey M. Garrod Jeffrey J. Greenbaum Samuel J. Halpern Joseph P. LaSala Fredric P. Lavinthal Hon. William J. Martini, U.S.D.J. Donald J. Rinaldi Hon. Ned M. Rosenberg, J.S.C. (Ret.) Hon. James S. Rothschild, Jr., J.S.C. (Ret.) Hon. Frank J. Zinna, J.M.C. (Ret.)
Charles C. Abut Snyder Sarno Daniello Maceri & Da Costa, LLC Charles C. Abut is a cum laude graduate of Columbia University (B.A.) and Cornell Law School (J.D.). Charles currently prac- tices in Hackensack, New Jersey, with Snyder Sarno Daniello Maceri & DaCosta LLC. Throughout his career, Charles has successfully mediated and arbitrated hundreds of cases. He is a court-accredited mediator by the New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts. Charles has also litigated a number of cases re- sulting in reported decisions including Piscopo vs. Pisco- po, Rogers & Hammerstein vs. Gilchinsky and Jacqueline Onassis vs. Christian Dior. In addition to mediating and litigating cases, Charles has lectured for the New Jersey Judicial College and is a fre- quent lecturer for the New Jersey Institute of Continuing Education. He has published articles in the New Jersey Law Journal and New Jersey Lawyer, and has made tele- vision appearances on ABC, CBS, MSNBC and CNBC. He has been quoted in publications including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal and the Bergen Rec- ord. Charles is a Certified Matrimonial Attorney and a Fellow of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers. He is AV -rated by Martindale Hubbell, has been peer-selected for inclusion in Best Lawyers in America, Top 100 Super Lawyers in New York Magazine and Top 100 Lawyers in New Jersey in New Jersey Monthly Magazine. Prior to becoming an attorney, Charles was on active duty with the United States Army Military Police.
Robert T. Borteck Borteck & Czapek, P.C. Robert T. Borteck received his B.A. from New York University, where he was a mem- ber of the Omicron Delta Epsilon National Honor Society in Economics and received the University Scholar Award. He received his J.D. from New York University School of Law, where he was an Editor of the New York University Journal of Interna- tional Law and Politics. Rob is a founding partner of Borteck & Czapek, P.C. where his practice focuses on estate / tax planning matters, estate administration and contested probate matters. In addition to individual financial and business planning, he does a consider- able amount of trust department work for leading financial in- stitutions and is designated as an Accredited Estate Planner by the National Association of Estate Planners. Additionally, he has served as a Court appointed Guardian ad Litem and as an expert witness in a variety of probate matters. Rob is a frequent lecturer on estate/tax planning topics, includ- ing numerous presentations through the New Jersey Institute of Continuing Legal Education, the New Jersey State Bar Association and the National Business Institute. He was the former president of the Northwest New Jersey Estate Planning Council, a member of the sub-committee to consider existing court rules and surrogate’s practice with regard to settlement of accounts and a former co-chair of the New Jersey Practice and Procedures Committee. Since 1995, Rob has been named in the Best Lawyers in America and since 2005 as one of New Jersey’s Top 100 “Super Lawyers.” Also, since 2005 New York Magazine has named Rob one of the “New York Area’s Best Lawyers” in the areas of trusts and estates. Rob holds a private pilot’s license and is an avid sport enthusi- ast, particularly of golf.
Hon. Dennis M. Cavanaugh, U.S.D.J. (Ret.) McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, LLP The Hon. Dennis M. Cavanaugh is a proud grad- uate of Seton Hall Law School. Judge Cavanaugh began his career as a law clerk for Judge Francis Hayden of the New Jersey Supe- rior Court before serving as an Assistant Deputy Public Defender in the New Jersey Public Advocate's Office from 1973 to 1977. In 1977, he entered private practice and became a Certified Civil Trial Attorney. Judge Cavanaugh served in the United States Army Re- serve in 1978 and was honorably discharged with the rank of Cap- tain. Judge Cavanaugh was appointment as a Federal Magistrate Judge in 1993. In 2000 he was appointed United States District Judge by President Clinton, where he served until he retired in 2014. During his tenure on the bench, he authored numerous published and non- published opinions pertaining to patent litigation and other Intellectu- al Property matters, securities law, bankruptcy appeals, the law against discrimination, and environmental disputes. Judge Cavanaugh was also an adjunct professor at Seton Hall Law School for twenty years, teaching “Advanced Civil Trial Practice, The Trial of a Civil Case and Negotiations.” He also regularly volun- teered his time as a guest lecturer and panelist on various topics including federal practice, trial and settlement techniques, class ac- tions, legal civility and ethics and nationally on the proper utilization of Magistrate Judges Curriculum Vitae within our District Courts. Judge Cavanaugh is currently co-chair of McElroy Deutsch’s Media- tion and ADR Practice Group. Here he capitalizes on his vast legal experience in myriad areas of law such as personal injury and com- mercial litigation, environmental law, the law against discrimination, intellectual property, ERISA issues, and collective bargaining to serve as a skilled Mediator, Arbitrator, and Discovery Master. He is oft recognized for his accomplishments, receiving the William J. Brennan, Jr., Award from the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey, Seton Hall Law School’s 2001 Distinguished Graduate and he was inducted into the Morehead State University Hall of Fame in 2002.
Michael Critchley, Sr. Critchley, Kinum & Luria, LLC Michael Critchley Sr. grew up in the City of New- ark, the youngest of six boys and within a mile of the Essex County Courthouse. His parents both passed while Mike was a teenager leaving Mike to finish high school and attend college and law school in the evenings. While attending school, Mike first worked as a roofer and then in the Essex County Sher- iff’s Department, assigned to the courtroom of the Hon. Brendan T. Byrne, J.S.C. Witnessing attorneys in court ignited Mike’s desire to be a trial attorney. After graduation, Mike first became an Assistant Prosecutor in Essex County, then later working as staff counsel for Governor Brendan T. Byrne. He eventually founded his own firm, now known as Critchley, Kinum and Luria, LLC. Mike is considered by his colleagues, adversaries, and Judges to be one of the most effective trial lawyers in New Jersey. He has been described as \"a stunning trial lawyer” and is considered “the top-level attorney to call if [the U.S. Attorney] comes-a-knocking.” He has tried well over 100 Federal and State cases, both criminal and civil, with astounding success. Often recognized by his peers, he has received the Lawrence A. Whipple Award from the New Jersey Association of Criminal De- fense Lawyers, the ECBA’s Criminal Attorney Achievement Award and Seton Hall Law School’s Distinguished Graduate of the Year. He is regularly recognized as a Super Lawyer, Power List Top 100, and as a Top Lawyer in New Jersey and New York. Mike believes in being active in his community, serving as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, on the American Board of Criminal Lawyers, as past president and founding member of the As- sociation of Criminal Defense Lawyers - NJ, as a member of the NJSBA Judicial and Prosecutorial Appointments Committee, and as a member of the Board of Trustees to St. Michael’s Medical Center. He continues to mentor lawyers, sharing his knowledge of trying cas- es, offering career advice and fostering collegiality in the profession. Mike credits the lessons he learned early in life - an appreciation for hard work, education, family, and a sense of fairness and justice - with his success. Mike and his wife Dolores have two sons, Michael Jr. and Sean, and four grandchildren.
James M. Cundari James M. Cundari, Attorney at Law James M. Cundari is a graduate of St. Peter’s College and Seton Hall Law School. Following law school, James entered private practice in Belleville, NJ and has been a contributing and highly regarded member of the that community for over fifty years. His practice focuses on civil litigation, auto accident defense, debt collection, estate planning, matrimonial matters and residential real estate. In addition to his private practice, James served as the Assistant Es- sex County Corporation Counsel from 1979-1981. In 1981 -1982, James joined the firm Hannoch, Wesiman, Stern, Besser, Berkowitz & Kinney, P.A. as an Associate. James also served as General Counsel for A&C Realty Company from 1983-1990 and for Organize Your World, LLC from 1996-1998. James’ practice also extended to several roles with the Township of Belleville including Assistant Public Defender for the Township from 2008-2018, Counsel to the Belle- ville Tax Assessor from 2010-2018 and Counsel to the Belleville Township Manager from 2016-2018. Additionally, James has held several community service and legislative positions. He was a founding member and Chairman of the Advisory Board of Directors of the North Ward Center, Inc. from 1972-1992, Director of the Newark Office of Intergovernmental Affairs from 1972-1974 and served as the Commissioner (1972) and Vice Chairman (1974) of the Newark Redevelopment & Housing Authori- ty. He was Chief of Staff to the Chairman of the Assembly Insurance Committee of the New Jersey Legislature from 1982-1989. James also served as a member of the Board of Directors for Blue Cross Blue Shield of NJ, Inc. from 1986-1987. James is an active member and contributor to the Essex County Bar Association’s Real Property Committee.
Thomas S. DiBiasi DiBiasi & Rinaldi, LLC Thomas S. DiBiasi is a proud member of the Essex County legal community, practicing with his partner and fellow honoree, at the firm of DiBiasi & Rinaldi, LLC in Nutley, New Jersey. Thomas attended Rutgers University, graduat- ing Magna Cum Laude and Phi Beta Kappa. He earned his J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania School of Law, where he was awarded the American Jurisprudence Award. As a Partner at the firm, Thomas concentrates his practice in the areas of real estate development and land use. He currently serves as the Planning Board Attorney for the Borough of Saddle River and previously served as the Attorney for the Township of Belleville for twenty years. In addition to his professional accomplishments, Thomas has dedicated countless years to bar service. He contin- ues to serve as an active member of both the New Jersey State Bar Association and the Essex County Bar Association. Thomas attributes his success in law and in life to treating every matter and person ass unique and special. He does not subscribe to the “one size fits all” approach to the law. Thomas believes that the legal profession is a calling of service to the individual. When asked what advice he would give young lawyers embarking upon the practice of law, his words were inspiring: “To be success- ful in the practice of law, one needs to have a deep seeded love of the law. If you are just chasing a big paycheck or bonus, you will never find true success or happiness as an attorney. However, if you love the law, it will show. You will find happiness in your work and you will do well beyond your wildest imagination.” There is no doubt, Thomas is an accomplished attorney who should be proud and content in what he has achieved. When asked to share the single proudest moment of his career, he spoke not of himself, but of his son and the pride he felt while standing next to his son, the Honorable Darien DiBiasi, as he took the oath of office as a Superior Court Judge. Thomas is a man who truly loves the law, but not as deeply and purely as he loves his wife, Patricia, his son and daughter-in-law, Ashley, and his two grandchildren, Molly and Dylan. He is pleased that they are present at this celebration.
Ollis Douglas, Jr. New Jersey Office of the Public Defender (Ret.) Ollis Douglas Jr. was born in Brunswick, Geor- gia. He became active in the local Youth Chap- ter of the NAACP during the early sixties. Under Court Order and National Guard escort he was one of the first six African-American students to desegregate and ultimately graduate from an all- white high school. His first encounter with an attorney was during this time; Constance Baker Motley, later an esteemed member of the Federal Bench, was the NAACP Legal Defense Fund attorney who represented him and his fellow students. The years of abuse Ollis endured during high school left an indelible mark on him. While a student at Tennessee State University and later at Rutgers University Law School, he actively engaged in meaningful social action, protesting against segregation and assum- ing numerous leadership roles in social and student organizations. Ollis intended to return to the south after graduation to continue his work as a civil rights activist. However, to our great advantage, in 1973 he joined the Public Defender’s Office serving as an Assistant Deputy Public Defender until his retirement in 2015. In his 42 years at the Public Defender’s Office, he litigated thousands of criminal cases including six death penalty cases and at least fifty homicide cases. Ollis made a choice when he became a Public Defender to be an advocate for his clients both in and out of the courtroom. He has used his connections in the community to help clients go back to school, obtain employment, or learn a trade. His dedication and commitment to these individuals have improved our community and benefited all of us. In 2009, Ollis’ impressive career in the law, his professionalism, and dedication to the fair administration of justice was recognized by the Essex County Bar Association when it pre- sented him with its Criminal Practice Achievement Award. When asked what he considers his most significant contribution, Ollis replied, “I would like to think that I have been a model public servant and that I have always tried to be on the right side of history.” Mr. Douglas has one son, Michael, who is a professor at Morehouse College in Atlanta, Georgia.
Stephen J. Edelstein Weiner Law Group LLP With his 1960’s idealism tempered by more than forty years of pragmatic experi- ence, Stephen J. Edelstein is a trusted advisor to many of New Jersey’s leaders. He is also a seasoned and successful liti- gator who succinctly sums up his philosophy: “I always want to be the best prepared person in the courtroom.” A Wealth of Experience Leads to Great Results Steve is widely recognized as a leading New Jersey attorney in labor, employment, and public sector matters. His exper- tise includes the diverse fields of commercial law, complex civil litigation, election law and finance. Steve’s legal writings have been cited by the United State Supreme Court. After receiving his law degree, at the University of North Car- olina in Chapel Hill, where he learned to love the law and not to love Duke, Steve joined the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) in Washington, D.C., where he was assigned to the Appellate Section. While there, he represented the NLRB in matters before the United States Court of Appeals. Steve has litigated extensively in state and federal courts, as well as before the New Jersey Office of Administrative Law. He has practiced before the National Labor Relations Board, the New Jersey Public Employment Relations Commission, the New Jersey Division on Civil Rights, the United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the New Jer- sey Department of Environmental Protection, the New Jer- sey Board of Public Utilities, and the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission. As Essex County Counsel, Steve supervised the legal affairs of the Essex County government from 1991 until 1995. He also served as Chairman of the Essex County Utilities Au- thority and has served as both Special Counsel to the New Jersey Democratic State Committee and General Counsel to Governor Christie’s 2009-2010 Transition Committee.
James D. Ferrucci Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC (Ret.) James D. Ferrucci earned a Bachelor of Arts degree with highest honors in political science from Williams College, graduating cum laude in 1969. While at Williams, he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa. He then went on to Harvard Law School where he received his Juris Doctor degree. Prior to retiring, Jim was a partner at Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC and a member of the firm’s Fidelity and Surety Group. His practice also included commercial litiga- tion, trade regulation and construction litigation. Jim was a frequent lecturer at American Bar Association events and other legal seminars on suretyship law and relat- ed issues. Additionally, he was the author of several pub- lished works in the area and presented papers at several Northeast Surety & Fidelity Claims Conferences. He was an editor of the Fidelity and Surety Digest published by the Fi- delity and Surety Law Committee of the American Bar Asso- ciation’s Tort Trial and Insurance Practice Section. Jim was the Vice Chair of the American Bar Association Fi- delity and Surety Law Committee from 2000-2005. He was also the Chair of the New Jersey State Bar Association, Fi- delity and Surety Law Section from 1998-2002 and the Vice Chair from 1996-1997. Additionally, he was a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association Special Committee on State Legislation from 1975-1978. Jim has an AV® rating from Martindale-Hubbell and is listed in New Jersey Super Lawyers. In addition to his legal prac- tice, he served as a trustee of the Harvard Law School As- sociation of New Jersey from 1984 through 1989.
Jeffrey M. Garrod Orloff Lowenbach Stifelman & Siegel, P.A. Jeffrey M. Garrod is a proud graduate of Cornell University and American University School of Law, where he graduated Vale- dictorian and was on the Law Review. He began his legal career clerking for the Hon. Joseph Stamler, J.S.C. in the Superior Court of New Jer- sey, Chancery Division. Jeffery is currently a senior partner at Orloff, Lowenbach, Stifelman & Seigel, P.A. and a member of the firm’s Executive Committee. His practice areas include commercial litigation and dispute resolution. He experience includes the defense of class action law suits alleging false advertising, violation of consumer fraud statues and breach of contract; intellectual property litigation including trademark, trade secrets, and un- fair competition; chancery and equity practice including prelimi- nary injunctions and other equity litigation; probate litigation involving the validity of wills; insurance law including coverage claims and brokers’ errors and omissions; real estate litigation; shareholder and partnership disputes; claims arising from the acquisition and disposition of businesses; representation of doctors in disputes with hospitals involving medical staff privi- leges; employment contracts and restrictive covenant litigation; accountant’s malpractice claims; disputes arising under the Uniform Commercial Code; civil RICO claims and products lia- bility defense. Jeffery is an experienced complex, commercial trial lawyer who has litigated and tried cases for major companies and in- dividuals, including serving as lead defense counsel in nation- wide consumer class action lawsuits in federal and state courts alleging violation of consumer protection laws, unfair trade competition, false advertising, false labeling, and RICO. He was a member and chairman of the Supreme Court of New Jersey, District Fee Arbitration Committee from 1991-1995 and a member of the Essex County Bar Association, Judicial Se- lection Committee from 1995-2010.
Jeffrey J. Greenbaum Sills Cummis & Gross P.C. Jeffery J. Greenbaum received his B.S. from the University of Pennsylvania, Wharton School and he his J.D. from the University of Michigan, cum laude, and was the Research and Development Editor of the University of Michigan Journal of Law Reform. Jeffery be- gan his career as a judicial clerk to the Honor- able Frederick B. Lacey, U.S. District Court, District of New Jer- sey. He then served as an Assistant U.S. Attorney, where he han- dled complex fraud cases. Jeffery is currently a Member of Sills Cummis & Gross P.C., where he is the Chair of the Class Action Practice Group. He is a Certified Civil Trial Attorney actively practicing in the Federal and State Courts with a specialty in complex business litigation and in defending class action litigation. Jeffery has handled numerous matters involving securities, RICO and consumer fraud, class ac- tions and derivative suits, professional liability, antitrust, banking, chancery practice, contracts, real estate, trade secrets and unfair competition. He has handled cases of national prominence. For instance, Jeffery represented the Philippine Government in its search for purloined assets of the late deposed President Ferdi- nand E. Marcos, obtaining the first judgment in the United States that restored property to the Philippine Government. In addition to his highly regarded practice, Jeffery is a leader in the bar. Jeffrey is a past president of the Association of the Fed- eral Bar of New Jersey. He is also active in the ABA. In the ABA Litigation Section he was an elected Section Officer, member of it’s Executive Committee and governing Council and was it’s liai- son to the U.S. Judicial Conference Advisory Committee on Civil Rules. He is currently Co-Chair of the Section’s Task Forces on Federal Practice and on Efficient Justice. Jeffrey was also Co- Chair of the Class Actions and Derivative Suits Committee where his work included: preparing the first proposed revisions to the Federal Class Action Rule, Rule 23; co-authoring a report on pro- posed federal legislation involving class actions; developing ABA’s position of federal legislation seeking class action reform as a member of the ABA President’s Class Action Task Force; and presenting before the Supreme Court of the United State’s Advisory Committee on Civil Rules at its Class Action Confer- ence.
Samuel J. Halpern Samuel J. Halpern, Attorney at Law Samuel J. Halpern is a graduate of Sus- quehanna University and American Uni- versity, Washington College of Law. Fol- lowing law school, Samuel clerked in the Essex County Chancery Division, Gen- eral Equity for the Hon. Ward J. Herbert, J.S.C. After his clerkship, Samuel worked as a Deputy Attor- ney General with the State of New Jersey, Division of Law. He was assigned to the Education and Public Employment Section where he provided advice and representation to all major retirement systems as well as the Division of Pensions and Benefits which administrators these systems. In 1980, Samuel entered private practice as a solo practition- er concentrating in the field of Labor and Employee Benefits litigation. He has been a lecturer and panelists at continuing legal education seminars sponsored by the New Jersey State Bar Association, the Bergen County Bar Association, the Essex County Bar Association and the American Trial Lawyers Association. He authored an article, “The Interrela- tionship between public pensions and Workers Compensa- tion,” for the ATLA Roundtable Seminar in 1994, where he lectured. Samuel has been hired as an expert witness in two legal malpractice cases involving public pension issues. He was hired by the defense as an expert witness in the criminal trial of former state senator Wayne Bryant. Also, he testified be- fore the Hon. Freda Wolfson, U.S.D.J. at a Daubert hearing. Samuel has tried a number of published cases in the New Jersey Superior Court Appellate Division and the 3rd Circuit. Samuel’s father, also an attorney, was his inspiration. After deciding not to continue his pre-med studies, he went on to law school. He loves it, which is why he is still practicing af- ter 50 years.
Joseph P. LaSala McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, LLP A proud graduate of Saint Peter’s College and Se- ton Hall Law School, Joseph P. LaSala is a highly regarded trial attorney, often referred to as a “lawyer’s lawyer.” Joe began his distinguished legal career as a law clerk to the Hon. Anthony T. Augelli, former Chief Judge of the United States District Court, District of New Jersey. Joe is currently a Partner and member of the Executive Committee for McElroy Deutsch Mulvaney & Carpenter, LLP. He has extensive ex- perience in complex litigation covering a depth and breath of sub- stantive areas of law. Among numerous other high profile matters, Joe served as a Liquidating Trustee for the U.S. District Court where over $250 million dollars was recovered for defrauded shareholders. A recognized leader in his profession, Joe is a Fellow of the Ameri- can College of Trial Lawyers and was a Master of the Arthur T. Van- derbilt Inns of Court (1988 -1992). Among other recognitions, he has been listed in Super Lawyers in several areas since its inception in New Jersey and has been listed in their Top 10 and Top 100 Law- yers multiple times. Joe’s keen intellect and trial skills have led to his receipt of numerous awards, including two New Jersey Commission on Professionalism in the Law Professional Lawyer of the Year Awards; the Justice Wil- liam J. Brennan, Jr. Award, from the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey; the New Jersey State Bar Foundation’s Medal of Honor; and the Distinguished Graduate Award from Seton Hall Law School. Joe was also named one a Golden Lion Honoree by the Sons of Italy, New Jersey Foundation, Inc. This foundation recogniz- es distinguished Italian-Americans who are recognized in their pro- fessions. Despite a busy trial schedule, Joe has always given his time to worthy causes and organizations. He has served on the Seton Hall University Board of Regents and Board of Trustees and as Chair of the Seton Hall Law School Board of Visitors and served on the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Nominating Committee. He is Past- President of the Essex County Bar Association, the Trial Attorneys of New Jersey, and the Legal Services Foundation of Essex Coun- ty. Joe is also a former Chairman and Treasurer of the Essex County Improvement Authority and served on the District Fee Arbitration Committee and as its Chairman for several years.
Fredric P. Lavinthal Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi P.C. Fredric P. Lavinthal is a proud graduate of Rut- gers Law School and of Rutgers College where he graduated with highest honors and was a Henry Rutgers Scholar. Fred served as a special assistant to the Speaker of the New Jersey General Assembly (1969-1970) and as law secretary to the Honora- ble Melvin P. Antell, Superior Court of New Jersey (1972-1973). Cur- rently, he is a Member and Chair Emeritus of the Real Estate, Devel- opment & Land Use Group at Chiesa, Shahinian & Giantomasi P.C. Fred’s practice focuses on complex real property and development transactions throughout the country. He provides strategic counsel, representation and litigation support to a diverse client base that ranges from individuals to large public and private businesses, includ- ing national developers, manufactures, hotel operators and retail chains. Fred prides himself on delivering value-engineered legal ser- vices in order to provide the highest quality service in the most cost- effective manner. Fred has been a featured speaker at various seminars where he has addressed diverse real estate and commercial leasing topics. He has been honored for many years in The Best Lawyers in America, Litiga- tion Real Estate Law; Best Lawyers, 2017 Lawyer of the Year - Real Estate Litigation; and New Jersey Super Lawyers, Real Estate. He and the firm received the Corporate Excellence Award from the Boys and Girls Clubs of Monmouth County, NJ. Beyond his practice Fred is an active family man and community servant. He served as a Board Member and Legal Committee Chair, Cedar Hill Golf and Country Club and as Counsel to Temple Beth Shalom, both located in Livingston, NJ. He has also served on the Boards of the Jewish Community Housing Corporation and Florham on the Fairways, where he also served as President. Fred is very happily married to his wife of 52 years, Leslie, noting this was his all-time best decision. They are the proud parents of Adam, also an attorney; Andrea, a Style and Beauty Director; and grandpar- ents to Skylar, Gemma, Saxon and Vaughn. He relishes engaging with his family, watching his children be parents and spend time at his summer home.
Hon. William J. Martini United States District Court District of New Jersey The Hon. William J. Martini received a B.A. degree from Villanova University and his J.D. from Rutgers School of Law. Following a clerkship with the Hon. Joseph P. Hanrahan, J.S.C., he started his career as an Assistant in the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office. In 1973, he was named an Assistant United States Attorney in the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey and served in that post until 1977. He then went into private practice. Judge Martini’s political career began when he won election to the City Council in Clifton, New Jersey in 1990. He would add a position on the Passaic County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 1992. In 1994, Judge Martini was nominated for Congress in New Jersey's 8th congressional district. He faced off against an one-term incumbent whom he defeated, winning one of the 54 seats in the House of Representatives the Republicans gained that year. In addition, he was the first Republican to win an election in the District since 1958. In 1999, Judge Martini was named to the Board of Commissioners of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, a post in which he served for three years. In 2002, Judge Martini was confirmed as a United States District Court Judge for the United States District of New Jersey. Judge Martini was appointed by President Bush. Judge Martini served with distinction for the last twenty years, presiding over many noteworthy cases. He assumed senior status in 2015. Judge Martini has dedicated his time and talents throughout his professional career, including as a former member of the Pas- saic County Bar Ethics Committee; Fellow of the American Bar Foundation; Member of the National Italian-American Founda- tion; Trustee for the Center for Italian and Italian-American Cul- ture; Trustee for the United Way of Passaic Valley, and as a Board Member for the Passaic Valley Council of the Boy Scouts of America.
Donald J. Rinaldi DiBiasi & Rinaldi, LLC Donald J. Rinaldi is a graduate of Villanova University School of Law. Don, born in Newark and raised in West Orange, has strong ties to the Essex County communi- ty. Shortly after marrying his wife Pam, they moved to Short Hills, where they raised their two daugh- ters. Following his graduation from law school, Don clerked in the Superior Court of New Jersey for the Hon. Sam A. Co- larusso. After his clerkship, Don worked at the Essex County Prosecu- tor’s Office. He has said his favorite years as an attorney were his years as an Assistant Essex County Prosecutor where he was young, carefree, and carried a badge! One of his favorite quotes is something he learned as a Prosecutor. “If the facts are not on your side, argue the law. If the law is not on your side, argue the facts. And if both the facts and the law are against you, dazzle them with your footwork!” Later, Don entered private practice and is currently a founding partner of the firm DiBiasi & Rinaldi, LLC. He was honored by having been named as one of the first New Jersey attorneys certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Certified Criminal Trial Attorney. Don stated “I love the law and cannot imagine not spending part of my day working as an attorney. My only regret is that our profession has become more of a business. We must al- ways remember that law is a profession, and we should be proud of our profession and work to maintain our dignity and integrity.” He feels that the biggest achievement of his career is having both his daughters become accomplished attorneys, both working as in-house counsel; with one daughter in private in- dustry and one in finance. He says that he had to be doing something right for them to follow him into our profession.
Hon. Ned M. Rosenberg, J.S.C. (Ret.) Lentz & Gengaro, LLP The Hon. Ned M. Rosenberg attended Case Western Reserve University, Seton Hall Law School and the Masters in Law program at New York University School of Law. After graduation, Judge Rosenberg entered private practice until he was appointed to the Superior Court of New Jersey, Essex County. While in private practice, he engaged in many civic activities includ- ing serving terms as councilman for the Township of West Caldwell and on the Caldwell-West Caldwell Board of Education, where he served as President for seven years. He was on the Boards of the Althea Gibson Foundation, the Morristown Memorial Hospital and Schering-Plough Pharmaceutical Corp. Judge Rosenberg was appointed to the Superior Court, Essex Coun- ty in 2005 and retired in 2016. During his judicial tenure, he served in all divisions spending the majority of his time in the Civil Division, serving as the Special Civil Part Supervising Judge. He presided over Law Division, jury and non-jury matters, and as the back-up Chancery Judge. While serving in the Family Division, Judge Rosen- berg was the Lead Judge for Non-Dissolution matters and heard cas- es on the FM and Dissolution dockets. Judge Rosenberg is currently Of Counsel at Lentz & Gengaro LLP, practicing in the area of alternative dispute resolution. In addition to serving as a private mediator, he is a federal mediator; a mediator in the statewide mediation program for Civil, General Equity, and Pro- bate Cases; the Civil Presumptive Mediation Program; and is on the roster of Mediators for Economic Aspects of Family Law Cases. Throughout his career, Judge Rosenberg has received numerous awards including multiple Special Proclamations by West Caldwell, the Caldwell-West Caldwell Board of Education and the County of Essex for his many years of tireless service to these communities. Judge Rosenberg and his wife of 54 years, Gail, met on Bradley Beach when they were 13 and have been lifelong residents of Essex County. They have a daughter and son-in-law, Jennifer and Glenn, a son and daughter-in-law, Brad and Margo and five grandchildren. Judge Rosenberg likes to say neither of his children are attorneys as they did it the old fashioned way and married attorneys.
Hon. James S. Rothschild, Jr., J.S.C. (Ret.) Riker Danzig LLP The Honorable James S. Rothschild, Jr. earned his B.A. from the University of Pennsylvania and his J.D. from Yale Law School. Prior to being appointed as a New Jersey Superior Court Judge, Judge Rothschild was a partner at th Riker Danzig law firm. His practice focused on litigation and insurance coverage matters. In addition to commercial litigation, he has experience in numerous areas including tort law; insurance coverage litigation; environmental matters; professional malpractice issues; class action; zoning and land use battles; public bidding matters; contract interpretation; construction disputes; and discrimination cases. He is also one of the most experienced school board attorneys in New Jersey, having represented numerous boards of education throughout his career in private practice. Judge Rothschild served 14 years as a Judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey. The majority of his time on the bench was spent serving in the Civil Division in Essex County and where, for the last several years of his tenure, he sat by appointment of the Supreme Court as the Complex Civil Litigation Judge. Judge Rothschild was a member of the Supreme Court’s Civil Jury Charges Committee. He has lectured extensively on developments in civil law, both for ICLE and at the Judicial College. Following his retirement from the bench, Judge Rothschild returned to Riker Danzig as Of Counsel. He is a member of the firm’s Alter- native Dispute Resolution and Commercial Litigation Groups. Addi- tionally, he continues to work with the firm’s School Law Group, which represents both public and private schools throughout New Jersey. Judge Rosenberg considers himself fortunate to have a very sup- portive wife, Betty, and three wonderful children, Wendy, Amy, and David. They and their spouses, Jason, Kevin, and Marriana, have blessed them with six grandchildren, River, Roman, Isabel, Arlo, Miles, and Gideon. His only regret is that all the children and grand- children have left the Great State of New Jersey for Chicago, Ithaca and Millbrook, New York. He is delighted, however, that his son David is here tonight.
Hon. Frank J. Zinna, P.J.M.C. (Ret.) Piro Zinna Cifelli Paris & Genitempo LLC Frank J. Zinna graduated from Seton Hall Law School, cum laude, where he also served as Associate Editor of the Seton Hall Law Review. After graduation and service as a judicial clerk in the Essex County Superior Court, Frank joined the law firm of James M. Piro in 1973 and has been a partner at Piro, Zinna, Cifelli, Paris & Genitempo for four decades. Frank specializes in family law litigation, including issues involving alimony, child support, custody, distribution of property and division of debt and pre, mid and post marital agreements. He was chosen by his peers as the recipient of the prestigious Family Practice Achievement Award from the Essex County Bar Association. Frank coordinates the invaluable Matrimonial Early Settlement Pan- els program for the Essex County Family Division and is a member of the Early Settlement Panel Statewide Chairs Organization. He sits as a Blue Ribbon Master to assist in the mediation of complex matrimonial cases. He also is a Member of the Barry I. Croland Inn of Court. Frank is admitted as an attorney and counselor of the Su- preme Court of the United States. Frank’s dedication to the profes- sion and his community is evident by his service as a Municipal Court Judge for over 25 years. A highly regarded jurist, he was ap- pointed by the New Jersey Supreme Court to serve as Chairman of the Conference of Presiding Judges of Municipal Courts and as the Presiding Judge for the Morris and Sussex County Municipal Courts. Frank has also served by an appointment of the New Jersey Su- preme Court to the New Jersey Advisory Committee on Extra Judi- cial Activities. He has also previously served as Assistant Counsel to the New Jersey State Senate. Frank’s reputation of integrity, fairness and intelligence is well know. He has been recognized by Martindale-Hubbell for the past 35 years, through a strenuous peer review process, as having the high- est possible peer review rating in legal ability and ethical standards.
Sponsors The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary DiBiasi & Rinaldi, LLC Friends of Karol Corbin Walker Ivette Ramos Alvarez, Esq. Barbara A. Moore, Esq. Dr. Yolanda Troublefield, MD, JD, FACS Garden State Bar Association Kaufman Dolowich Voluck LLP Lum Drasco & Positan, LLC McElroy, Deutsch, Mulvaney & Carpenter, LLP Orloff Lowenbach Stifelman & Siegel, P.A. Piro Zinna Cifelli Paris & Genitempo, LLC Shoshana Schiff & Warren A. Usatine Sills Cummis & Gross, P.C.
We would like to thank the Essex County Bar Association for all of its service and support throughout our fifty years of practice. Of course, the past fifty years would not have been possible without the love and support of our families. Don Rinaldi & Tom Di Biasi DiBiasi & Rinaldi, LLC Nutley, NJ
Congratulations to Our Partner Honorable Frank J. Zinna & to All of the Other Honorees!
Acknowledgements
Congratulations To our Dear Friend Frank Zinna 50On Your Years of Admission to the Practice of Law The Fruci Family A & S Fine Foods 152 Franklin Avenue Nutley, NJ 07110 Catering for all occasions www.asnutley.com
Attorneys at Law Roseland | Miami | Chicago CONGRATULATIONS TO KAROL CORBIN WALKER, ESQ. ESSEX COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION 2022 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENT & OUR GOOD FRIENDS HON. DENNIS M. CAVANAUGH (Ret.) MICHAEL CRITCHLEY, SR. JOSEPH P. LaSALA HON. WILLIAM J. MARTINI, U.S.D.J. CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF ADMISSION TO THE PRACTICE OF LAW JOHN M. AGNELLO, ESQ. JAMES E. CECCHI, ESQ. G. GLENNON TROUBLEFIELD, ESQ. CARELLA BYRNE CECCHI BRODY & AGNELLO 5 BECKER FARM ROAD ROSELAND, N J 07068 www.carellabyrne.com
Congratulations To My Fellow Members of the Class of 1972 & Karol Corbin Walker 2022 Lifetime Achievement Award Recipient 75 Livingston Avenue Roseland, NJ 07068
Congratulates The Honorable Ned Rosenberg On 50 Years of Service
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