As we head into Spring, I am honored to update my fellow members of the New Jersey Defense Association and the esteemed members of the Judiciary on the recent activities of the NJDA.
One of the goals of my tenure as President was to foster the growth of our organization, by providing opportunity for the enrichment and advancement of our members and by encouraging and teaching our young lawyers. To that end, we recently had a very successful New Leaders Networking Event in New Brunswick. The event was attended by Board members, Past Presidents, long-standing members, new members, and interested attorneys alike. It was a wonderful opportunity to network with colleagues, discuss issues presented in our cases, and catch up on how life is going. We gained new members from the event and have hopefully encouraged current members to become more involved and take advantage of the many opportunities that the NJDA has to offer—whether it is attending one of the NJDA’s continuing legal education seminars, writing an article for the NJ Defense, or becoming involved as amicus curiae counsel for the NJDA. My hope is that the New Leaders Networking Event will remain an annual, if not biannual, event.
Thank you to all who attended and helped to make the event a success, including our members, new members, sponsors, and our Executive Director, Maryanne Steedle. As stressful and demanding as this profession can be, I truly believe that taking the time to engage with our colleagues pays itself in dividends, both professionally and personally. I hope to see more of our members at the next event.
We are quickly approaching the NJDA Annual Convention 2025, which is being held at the Mohegan Sun in Uncasville, Connecticut, from June 26–29, 2025. Event and hotel registration remains open. In addition to great networking events that will include multiple cocktail hours, a golf tournament, and the President’s reception, the convention will include an educational program providing up to 6.5 CLE credits. The Mohegan Sun’s flagship hotel in Connecticut has something for everyone, with casual and fine dining, retail shopping, live entertainment, sporting events, spas, family entertainment, onsite child care, and is a short ride from Mystic, Connecticut.
Please visit the event page for further details and registration information. I look forward to a wonderful convention and hope to see many of you there!
As always, please do not hesitate to reach out to me at president@njdefenseassociation.com if you have any questions or want to become more involved in the NJDA.
Katelyn E. Cutinello, Esq.
Cocca & Cutinello, LLP
36 Cattano Avenue, Suite 600
Morristown, NJ 07960
(973) 828-9000
president@njdefenseassociation.com
Past NJDA Presidents
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
2009-2010
Joanne Vos, Esq.
Iselin, 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
