Thank you to the Association for selecting me as President for 2026-2027. And thank you to Juliann Alicino for her dedication to the Association - Julie's leadership set me up for success. Congratulations to President-Elect Katherine Lyons, Secretary/Treasurer Timothy Freeman, and all our newly selected Officers and Directors. I look forward to working with each of you and our Executive Director Maryanne Steedle to make this a successful year.
I hope everyone had an opportunity to recharge and enjoy time with family and friends over the hot and humid summer. As we begin the fall, I am looking forward to the cooler weather and the great seminars we have scheduled in November: Women and the Law on November 11th and Auto Liability on November 24th. I hope to see you at both of these informative seminars.
For 60 years, the NJDA has stood for professionalism, civility, and excellence in advocacy. Those principles remain especially important as the practice of law continues to evolve. Emerging technologies, changing regulations, and new litigation trends require all of us to remain students—not only of the law, but also of the tools and developments shaping how we practice.
Over the coming year, I hope to build on the NJDA's strong foundation by focusing on three closely related priorities: education, professionalism, and engagement. Our committees will be central to that effort. I would like to expand committee-driven CLE programming, with the goal of providing our members with meaningful opportunities to satisfy their annual CLE requirements through the Association. We will also continue emphasizing civility and ethical advocacy, while ensuring that the NJDA remains an active and respected voice on issues affecting New Jersey's civil justice system.
Just as important, I want us to preserve the sense of collegiality that has long distinguished this Association. Our collective knowledge is tremendous, and our members are always willing to answer a question, share experience, or help a colleague.
See you at November's seminars!
Robert M. Cook, Esq.
Goldberg Segalla
301 Carnegie Center Drive, Suite 200
Princeton, NJ 08540
(609) 986-1380
president@njdefenseassociation.com
Past NJDA Presidents
2025-2026
Juliann M. Alicino, Esq.
New Brunswick, NJ
2024-2025
Katelyn E. Cutinello, Esq.
Morristown, NJ
2023-2024
C. Robert Luthman, Esq.
Ewing, NJ
2022-2023
Michelle M. O’Brien, Esq.
Bernardsville, NJ
2021-2022
Ryan A. Richman, Esq.
Newark, NJ
2020-2021
John V. Mallon, Esq.
Secaucus, NJ
2019-2020
Michael A. Malia, Esq.
Sea Girt, NJ
2018-2019
Aldo J. Russo, Esq.
Secaucus, NJ
2017-2018
Natalie H. Mantell, Esq.
Newark, NJ
2016-2017
Chad M. Moore, Esq.
New Brunswick, NJ
2015-2016
Gregory F. McGroarty, Esq.
Warren, NJ
2014-2015
Mario J. Delano, Esq.
Asbury Park, NJ
2013-2014
Michele G. Haas, Esq.
New Brunswick, NJ
2012-2013
Mark A. Saloman, Esq.
Newark, NJ
2011-2012
Edward J. Fanning, Jr., Esq.
Newark, NJ
2010-2011
Joseph J. Garvey, Esq.
Toms River, NJ
2008-2009
Kevin J. DeCoursey, Esq.
Whippany, NJ
2008-2009
Kevin J. DeCoursey, Esq.
Whippany, NJ
2007-2008
Michael J. Leegan, Esq.
Florham Park, NJ
2006-2007
Arthur F. Leyden, III, Esq.
Toms River, NJ
2005-2006
Linda Pissott Reig, Esq.
Morristown, NJ
2004-2005
Philip R. Lezenby, Jr., Esq.
Cherry Hill, NJ
2003-2004
Thomas B. Hight, Esq.
Bloomfield, NJ
2002-2003
Heidi Willis Currier, Esq.
Roseland, NJ
2001-2002
Brian R. O’Toole, Esq.
Whippany, NJ
2000-2001
George Sesso, Esq.
Parsippany, NJ
1999-2000
Bruce E. Helies, Esq.
Manasquan, NJ
1998-1999
Charles P. Hopkins, II, Esq.
Shrewsbury, NJ
1997-1998
Stephen J. Foley, Jr., Esq.
Asbury Park, NJ
1996-1997
Marie A. Carey, Esq.
Roseland, NJ
1995-1996
Edward H. Herman, Esq.
Princeton, NJ
1994-1995
James F. Ferguson, Esq.
Absecon, NJ
1993-1994
John R. Gercke, Esq.
Cherry Hill, NJ
1992-1993
John L. White, Esq.
Woodbury, NJ
1991-1992
Steven H. Isaacson, Esq.
Roseland, NJ
1990-1991
Thomas T. Chappell, Esq.
Montclair, NJ
1989-1990
Nicholas M. Briante
Fanwood, NJ
1988-1989
R. Scott Conant
Parsippany, NJ
1987-1988
Leon B. Piechta, Esq.
West Orange, NJ
1987-1987
J. Lee Kimbrell, Esq.
West Orange, NJ
1986-1987
J.R. Peter Wilson, Esq.
Denville, NJ
1985-1986
William E. Frese, Esq.
Newark, NJ
1984-1985
Edward F. Garvey
Voorhees, NJ
1983-1984
William R. Powers, Jr., Esq.
Moorestown, NJ
1982-1983
Roger C. Steedle, Esq.
Absecon, NJ
1981-1982
Francis H. Wolff, Esq.
Red Bank, NJ
1980-1981
Robert H. Westphal
Orange, NJ
1979-1980
John J. O’Donnell, Esq.
Morristown, NJ
1978-1979
George B. Meyers
Newark, NJ
1977-1978
John J. Nooney, Esq.
Branchville, NJ
1976-1977
Michael J. Cernigliaro, Esq.
Asbury Park, NJ
1975-1976
Bernard M. Powell, Esq.
Moorestown, NJ
1974-1975
Alfred G. Morse
Orange, NJ
1973-1974
Gerald M. Gorrin, Esq.
East Orange, NJ
1972-1973
David A. Parker, Esq.
Mt. Holly, NJ
1971-1972
James W. Hurley, Esq.
Plainfield, NJ
1970-1971
Lewis P. Dolan, Jr., Esq.
Newton, NJ
1969-1970
James L. Cooper, Esq.
Atlantic City, NJ
1968-1969
Harry Lane, Jr., Esq.
Runnemede, NJ
1966-1968
Fred W. Jung, Jr., Esq.
Chatham, NJ
