Registration
Use the options below to register for this year's Convention.
NOTE: To make use of the hotel room block, your reservation must be made separately before June 5, 2026.
Learn more
Fees
$450 per member ($500 non-members)
$350 first-time attendance
$175 per spouse/guest (by April 30, 2026)
Online Payment
Mail-in Registration
If you prefer to print & mail your registration, click here to download the registration form.
Itinerary
Thursday, June 25th
3:00pm – 5:30pm: Registration
6:00pm - 7:00pm: Welcome Reception (Casual Attire)
Friday, June 26th
7:00am – 8:00am: Breakfast and Sponsor Exhibits
8:00am – 11:00am: Business Meeting and CLE Program
Backbone of the Case: Spine Anatomy for Lawyers
Jessica Isaacs, Ph.D., P.E.
AI and How to Protect Client Privilege
Kevin J. DeCoursey, Esq. – Law Office of Hilary M. Kolb
Defending Against Plaintiff’s Life Care Plans
Katelyn E. Cutinello, Esq. – Cocca & Cutinello, P.C.
Teresa M. Hearn, MS, CRC, CLCP, IPEC, CVE – Premier Vocational Experts, LLC
5:00pm - 6:00pm: Cocktail Reception (Open to all attendees, Baseball Attire or Business Casual)
7:10pm: Yankees v. Red Sox at Fenway Park (Ticketed Event)
Saturday, June 28th
7:30am – 8:30am: Breakfast and Sponsor Exhibits
8:30am – 12:00pm: CLE Program
2026 Civil Case Law Update
presented by the Young Lawyers Committee
Kristin M. Gummoe, Esq. – Hoagland Longo Moran Dunst & Doukas, LLP
Rachel D. Santos, Esq. – McCarter & English, LLP
Antonio Vayas, Esq. – McCarter & English, LLP
Teaching New Trial Attorneys: Wisdom and Practical Knowledge
Moderated by Nicole R. Cassata, Esq. – Chasan Lamparello Mallon & Cappuzzo, P.C.
Thomas B. Hight, Esq. and Thomas A. Morrone, Esq. – Chasan Lamparello Mallon & Cappuzzo, P.C.
Five Years After Sun Chemical: How New Jersey Courts Applied the CFA–PLA Framework
Timothy R. Freeman, Esq. – Gallo Vitucci Klar LLP
Combatting Plaintiff’s Trial Tactics
Moderated by Denise M. Luckenbach, Esq. – Sellar Richardson, P.C.
Panel
Kelly P. Corrubia, Esq. – Hall Booth Smith, P.C.
C. Robert Luthman, Esq. – Weir Attorneys
Gregory F. McGroarty, Esq. - Dyer & Peterson
6:30pm – 9:00pm: President’s Reception (Sponsored by ExamWorks, Inc.) & Annual Awards Dinner (Jackets-No Ties)
NJDA Annual Awards
The New Jersey Defense Association is seeking nominations for submission to the Board of Directors for the following awards:
Young Lawyer of the Year 2025-2026
Attorney of the Year 2025-2026
The following criteria will be considered by the Board:
Young Lawyer:
Age 40 or less, or with less than 10 years of experience.
Young Lawyer and Attorney of the Year Nominations:
Must be a member in good standing of the NJDA.
The nominee must have made a substantial contribution to the NJDA and the legal community by means of participation in NJDA sponsored events; Seminar presentation; publication of legal articles; performance of charitable works and/or pro bono representation.
Please submit all nominations to Maryanne Steedle, Executive Director no later than June 1, 2026.
Please send nomination letters to P. O. Box 463, Linwood, NJ 08221 or email to maryanne@njdefenseassociation.com.
Letter from the President
Dear Members,
We look forward to seeing you at the NJDA’s 60th Annual Convention at the Hotel Commonwealth in Boston, Massachusetts. This year’s convention overlaps with a busy weekend in Boston. Our ticket offering for the Yankees vs. Red Sox game on Friday, June 26, 2026, at Fenway Park received an overwhelming response, resulting in our hotel block selling out. Other nearby hotels may have limited availability due to the game and World Cup events.
The CLE program will offer 6.0 credits, featuring member panels on addressing plaintiff’s trial tactics, impeachment opportunities at trial and depositions, how the NJ Courts applied the CFA-PLA framework, wisdom and practical knowledge for new trial attorneys and the annual civil case law update. Our Platinum Sponsor, Exponent, will present Spine Anatomy for Lawyers and Silver Sponsor Premier Vocational Experts will present with Chairperson, Katelyn E.Cutinello, on defending plaintiff’s life care plans.
Enclosed please find the registration materials, information regarding the nominations for our annual awards and the CLE program schedule with full details of topics and speakers.
I look forward to seeing you in Boston!
Julie
Juliann M. Alicino, Esq. | President, New Jersey Defense Association
Juliann M. Alicino
Hoagland, Longo, Moran, Dunst & Doukas, LLP
Partner | Certified Civil Trial Attorney
40 Paterson Street | New Brunswick, NJ 08903
O: 732-545-4717
F: 732-545-4579
jalicino@hoaglandlongo.com
www.hoaglandlongo.com
For Sponsors & Exhibitors
For information, please email maryanne@njdefenseassociation.com
