A M E S S A G E F RO M O U R P R E S I D E N T L O U I S C H A R L E S S H A P I R O , E S Q U I R E

MAY 2012

2011-2012 Officers

Louis Charles Shapiro President

Rebecca J. Bertram Vice President

Jospeh M. Chiarello VP of Fundraising

Charles J. Wettstein Secretary

Justin R. White Treasurer

Board of Trustees

Carlos Andujar, Jr.

Evan J. Lide

Matthew W. Ritter

Demetrica Todd-Hunter

Lauren A. Van Embden

Beth Hellriegel White

Jr. Trustee

Nicole J. Curio

Sr. Trustee

Michael L. Testa, Sr.

Immediate Past President

Michael L. Testa, Jr.

ET SEQ. MARK YOUR CALENDERS

MAY 24th– Party on the Deck— The Hotel Charlesworth

JUNE 21st– Installation Dinner– Running Deer Golf Club

In case you missed it … the Barrister’s Ball this past Friday, May 4, 2012, was a fabulous event for a good cause. The evening was not only elegant, with our members and guests well attired, but the music and atmosphere were top notch. It is indeed a successful event when a gathering of lawyers, typically used to talking shop, actually gets out on the dance floor. Although it can be said that lawyers generally are not known for their dancing skills - - and I include myself in that category - - everyone truly seemed to have a great time, and some actually looked like they knew what they were doing on a dance floor. The Bar Association’s Fundraising Committee had been planning this event for many months, and it was truly worth the wait. I would like to extend my personal thanks for a fantastic job to Joe and Karen Chiarello, Kristen Eisenhardt and all of the members of the Fundraising Committee for their time, ideas, and effort. In particular, I also want to thank the Bar Association’s Executive Director, Lou Ann Ferrari-Brooks, without whom this wonderful event would never have taken place. We now know what it takes to put together a fundraiser of this magnitude. With the success of this event in just its first year, I am confident that next year’s event will be even better. If you could not attend this year for whatever reason, you truly missed a great time. Make a note to yourself to attend next year. Turning to what’s next, our next (and definitely a more casual) general membership meeting is our May 24, 2012 annual Party on the Deck at the Charlesworth Hotel in Fortescue, at which our membership will vote on the new slate of candidates for the coming year. I look forward to seeing you there.

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CU M B E R L A N D CO U N T Y BA R AS S O C I A T I O N’S 2012-2012 SL A T E O F OF F I C E R S A N D TRU S T E E S

Pursuant to the CCBA By-Law 6.2 ( a ), the Nominating Committee met on Wednesday, April 25, 2012 “to nominate the Officer and Trustees standing for election for the CCBA year 2012-2012. Below is the slate of candidates the Nominating Committee proposed. Thereafter, pursuant to By-Law 6.2 ( c ),”….additional nominations may be received by the Secretary, Charles Wettstein upon the written petition of ten (10) voting members.” Any additional nominations must be submitted to the Secretary “within ten (10) days” of May 1st to Charles Wettstein at charleswe@co.cumberland.nj.us Officers: President- Rebecca Bertram Pres Elect-Joseph Chiarello VP of Fundraising- Justin White Treasurer- Lauren Van Embden Secretary- CJ Wettstein Trustees: Nicole Curio (1st term, 1st year) Matthew Ritter (2nd term, 1st year) Demetrica Todd-Hunter (1st term, 1st year) Michael Gaffney (1st year, 2nd term- filling spot for Carlos Andujar) The following are appointed positions by the incoming President: Jr. Trustee- Megan Mazzoni Sr. Trustee- Susan Romeo Foundation: Carl Cavagnaro Isabella Garofola Arthur L. Marchand NJSBA Trustee: Michael Testa, Jr.  

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GE N E R A L ME M B E R S H I P ME E T I N G DA T E S FO R 2011-2012

Please note that each meeting will have a cocktail hour from 5:30-6:30 p.m. with the dinner meeting following unless noted. Some months will also have a Nuts & Bolts Seminar which the membership will

be notified of on the registration form for that month’s dinner.

DATE LOCATION DESCRIPTION Thursday, May 24, 2012 Hotel Charlesworth Party on the Deck/May GM Dinner

Thursday, June 21, 2012 Running Deer Golf Club Installation Dinner

I would like to thank everyone who attended or donated money to the Barrister's Ball that was held on Friday, May 4th at the Scotland Run Country Club. I think everyone who attended would agree that the Ball was a huge success. I want to give special thanks to the Fundraising Committee for all of their work and especially to Lou Ann Ferrari-Brooks and Kristen Eisenhardt who showed up first and left last and made sure everything was perfect. Again, thanks to all who supported the Cumberland County Bar Foundation and made the Ball the best thing to do on a Friday night. Joe Chiarello VP of Fundraising *Jennifer Carr Photography will have the photos from the Barristers’ Ball available to view online and purchase within the week. You will be emailed the login and password when it is available to Lou Ann. You will also be able to purchase a CD of the photos.

A VE RY SP E C I A L TH A N K YO U FRO M JO S E P H CH I A R E L L O

LAWYER OF THE MONTH– April Michael L. Testa, Jr., Esquire

NICKNAME: Mickey BIRTH DATE/PLACE: May 1, 1976; Philadelphia, PA CURRENT HOMETOWN: Vineland, NJ SPOUSE: Julie UNDERGRAD and MAJOR/LAW SCHOOL: Villanova University, Bachelor of Arts in Psychology; Villanova University School of Law, Juris Doctor AREAS OF PRACTICE: Criminal Defense and Personal Injury DESCRIBE FIRST CAR: 1988 Saab 9000 Turbo FAVORITE HOBBY: Golf ALL TIME FAVORITE MUSIC: Van Morrison– Astral Weeks ALL TIME FAVORITE MOVIE: A Clockwork Orange or Goodfellas CURRENTLY PLAYING ON MY CD PLAYER/iPOD: Siouxsie and the Banshees LAST BOOK I READ: The Golfing Machine by homer Kelley FAVORITE FOOD: A dry aged Ribeye Steak FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Zihuatanejo, Mexico FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM: Dallas Cowboys IF I WON THE POWERBALL LOTTERY I WOULD….: buy a vacation home in Naples, Florida so my Dad and I could play golf together more often. IF I WASN’T AN ATTORNEY I’D BE…. A bartender or a personal trainer.

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LAWYER OF THE MONTH– MAY

Nicole J. Curio, Esquire

NICKNAME: Nicki; Nic BIRTH DATE/PLACE: June 27, 1983 – Vineland, NJ CURRENT HOMETOWN: Williamstown, NJ SPOUSE: Kevin Jinks UNDERGRAD and MAJOR/LAW SCHOOL: Undergrad: Penn State University; Major: Speech Communications Law School: Rutgers University - Camden AREAS OF PRACTICE: Labor and Employment DESCRIBE FIRST CAR: 1999 Dodge Neon (Green) FAVORITE HOBBY: working out; spending time with family & friends ALL TIME FAVORITE MUSIC: Bon Jovi ALL TIME FAVORITE MOVIE: West Side Story CURRENTLY PLAYING ON MY CD PLAYER/iPOD: probably something country LAST BOOK I READ: “The Help” FAVORITE FOOD: Crabs & Spaghetti FAVORITE VACATION SPOT: Aruba – they should just rename it “Paradise” FAVORITE SPORTS TEAM: The Phillies & Penn State Football IF I WON THE POWERBALL LOTTERY I WOULD….: Pay off all my debt and my parent’s debt (maybe my brother’s debt depending on my mood), then go to Aruba for about a month. IF I WASN’T AN ATTORNEY I’D BE…. A speech writer; or GM of the Phillies :)

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BA R AS S O C I A T I O N SN I P P E T S FRO M TE D RI T T E R, C .C .B.A. HI S TO R I A N

NIGERIAN BARRISTER VISITS CUMBERLAND COUNTY

From April 16, through April 27, 2012, Nigerian Barrister, Calistus (Carl) Nwerria, visited Cumberland County as part of two local Rotary Clubs’ Exchange Program. The Rotary Group Study Exchange Program is a unique cultural and vocational exchange opportunity for business persons and professionals between the age of twenty-five and forty who are in the early stages of their careers. The program provides travel grants for small groups to exchange month long visits in paired areas of different countries.

In addition to Barrister Carl, the visiting group from Nigera included an orthopedic surgeon, and a utility company executive.

Carl, who hails from Njikoka-Anambra State in South East Nigera, received his law degree in 2006.

Bonnie Laube, a twenty-one year member of Vineland Rotary, coordinated meetings for Carl with County Prosecutor, Jennifer Webb-McCrae, and members of the Prosecutor’s staff. Bonnie also arranged for Carl to tour of the Cumberland County Jail with Warden Balicki.

Carl sat in on jury selection in a Cumberland County Superior Court Criminal trial being presided by Judge James Swift.

Carl spent a second day at the Court House where he was accompanied by vicinage Ombudsman Sandra Lopez. Carl and Sandra watched a final judgment of divorce hearing litigated by Brock Russell, and Cherylann Ferrigno, before Judge Harold Johnson. Judge Johnson took a break and invited Carl into the Judge’s chambers where they discussed the issues involved in the case, as well as the types of cases heard in the Family Division. Carl was especially interested in child support (calculations and enforce-ment) and in the factors considered when determining parenting time (the amount and who should pay the travel expenses).

After observing a domestic violence hearing, Carl and Sandra watched Judge Malestein conduct landlord tenant hearings. Carl told Sandra that there are many landlord tenant cases in Nigeria. He was particularly interested in the procedure after a judgment of possession was entered. He was surprised that New Jersey requires separate suits for possession of the premises, and for collection of the rent owed.

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Carl also met with Bridgeton attorney Ted Ritter with whom he discussed aspects of the American jury system and private law office operations. Bonnie, Sandra, and Ted, truly enjoyed their time spent with their Learned Friend (that’s how lawyers refer to each other in Nigeria) and were pleased to have the opportunity to work cooperatively with the Vineland and Bridgeton Rotary Clubs.

Recently, a Tri-County Bench Bar meeting was held with the Presiding Judge, Judge Eugene McCaffrey. Judge McCaffrey addressed some of the recent changes concerning the Civil Division. Judge McCaffrey indicated that, with the addition of two new Judges in Cumberland County, including Judge Malestein sitting in Cumberland Civil, there have been great strides in reducing the back-log. Gloucester County backlog was reduced 23%, Cumberland County backlog was reduced 5%, and Salem County backlog was reduced 10%. Even with that reduction, the pending number of cases are approximately 2,000 Gloucester, 1,300 in Cumberland, and 300 in Salem. Judge McCaffrey also addressed the redistribution of Docket with regard to the present Civil Judges in our Vicinage, which now include Judge McCaffrey, Judge Morgan, Judge Geiger, and Judge Malestein. Under the new distribution of Judges, Judges McCaffrey and Morgan will be splitting the Gloucester County Docket. Judge Geiger will maintain 2/3 of the Cumberland County Docket, while Judge Malestein will have 1/3 of the Cumberland County Docket, and responsibility for the entire Salem Docket. Importantly for Cumberland County, Judge Geiger will have cases with Docket Numbers ending in 00 through 66, and Judge Malestein will have cases with Docket Numbers ending in 67 through 99. Moreover, Judge Malestein will be in Salem for first non-motion week of every month to try Salem County cases. He and Judge Geiger will alternate the Special Civil Part list on Wednesdays in Cumberland. Concerning the Early Neutral Evaluation (ENE) Program, Judge McCaffrey indicated that the program will continue in our Vicinage. It is believed that the Program, while not meeting its goal of settling cases early, is reducing the amount of Discovery Motions. Accordingly, from that perspective, it is a beneficial program. Going forward, the Status Conference date, which was previously scheduled for 75 days before the end of Discovery, will be changed to 45 days before the end of Discovery to make settlement discus-sions more meaningful. If there are any other question or you would like to know more about the Tri-County meeting, please reach out to any of the Members of the Cumberland County Civil Practice Committee or the Chair, Michael Gaffney at michael.gaffney2@gmail.com.

CI V I L PR A C T I C E CO M M I T T E E UP DA T E

Judith C. Arnold, Esquire has joined the Law Offices of Kavanagh & Kavanagh, LLC of Millville, NJ as a Senior Associate. Over the last 25 years of her legal career Judith has practiced in the areas of general civil litigation, banking law, corporations, collections, residential and commercial real estate, agricultural law and government contracting. Judith has represented numerous banks in regulatory matters, mortgage foreclosure matters and real estate settlements in addition to representing municipalities and private companies in the tax foreclosure process.

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We are pleased to announce that

Thomas M. Corrigan, Esquire

has joined

The Law Offices of

Robert W. Sebera, P.C.

Located at 81 W. Commerce Street

in Bridgeton, N.J.

Mr. Corrigan will be specializing

in the areas of Family Law, Municipal Court

and Social Security Disability matters

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Law Office for Sale

James Swift is closing his practice due to his appointment to the Superior Court Bench.

Jim is selling his beautiful historic building located in the heart of

the Millville Arts District.

The office comes turn-key- with furnishing, office equipment and phone number.

Jim will also finance the purchase.

If interested, email jamesrswift@hotmail.com

We are still taking Ads to be published in the Et Seq. All payments are due prior to the posting. Quarter Page $25.00 per issue Half Page $50.00 per issue Full Page $100.00 per issue Discounts are available for multiple month postings: 10% off for 3 months, 15% off for 6 months and 20% off for a full year. Please note that there is no Et. Seq. published in July or August. DO YOU HAVE A VACATION RENTAL ? DO YOU HAVE EXTRA OFFICE SPACE? ADVERTISE HERE.

ADV E RT I S E IN TH E ET SE Q.

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PRO F E S S I O NA L I S M DAY 2012

Professionalism Day will take place on October 17, 2012 in courthouses and court facilities across the state. The Cumberland County Bar Association will again offer free Ethics credits on October 17, 2012. The first Professionalism Day was a great success and 2500 judges and lawyers participated in Professionalism Day 2011. The goal of designating a single day during the year as Professionalism Day is to underscore the professional obligations of lawyers and judges. To achieve this objective a two credit seminar, that meets the CLE requirements established by the Supreme Court, will be held in each county, or vicinage, at courthouses or other convenient location. This seminar will also be a minimal or no cost to attendees. The Cumberland County Bar Association will again offer free Ethics credits on October 17, 2012. Please block out our calendars for Professionalism Day 2012 in the afternoon. More information will follow.

Do you have a great fundraising idea for the Cumberland County Bar Foundation for the upcoming year?

If so, please contact Lou Ann at lbrooks@ccnjbar.org with your idea.

We are looking for different and unusual ways to raise money

for the foundation so that we can support the many programs we fund.

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SH U T T L E SE RV I C E SC H E D U L E STA RT I N G MA RC H 5, 2012

Shuttle Bus Schedule During Courthouse Parking Construction During the construction of a new 300-space parking deck on Vine Street, remote parking and shuttle bus service will be provided between the Cumberland County Courthouse at Broad and Fayette streets and the Cumberland County Administration Building at 790 E. Commerce St. The service will be available beginning March 5th for courthouse employees, jurors and others who will be affected while the parking deck is being built. Parking will be in specially designated areas at the administration building. Shuttles will run every 20 min-utes, or every 30 minutes off peak hours, beginning with a 7:30 a.m. departure from the administration building and ending with the final bus from the courthouse at 4:50 p.m. A shelter will be available at the administration building parking lot in case of inclement weather. The re-mote parking and shuttle service is expected to be in effect until at least Oct. 31, when the parking deck construction is complete. Effective March 5th, shuttle bus service will be provided between the Cumberland County Courthouse and county Administration Building for courthouse employees, jurors and others with business at the courthouse: Depart Admin. Lot/Arrive at Courthouse Depart Courthouse/Arrive at Admin. Lot Morning 7:30 a.m./7:40 a.m. 7:40 a.m./7:50 a.m. 7:50 a.m./8:00 a.m. 8:00 a.m./8:10 a.m. 8:10 a.m./8:20 a.m. 8:20 a.m./8:30 a.m. 8:30 a.m./8:40 a.m. 8:40 a.m./8:50 a.m. 8:50 a.m./9:00 a.m. Break until 9:30 a.m. Resume schedule at 9:30 a.m. at the Administration Building parking lot Late Morning through Early Afternoon Schedule 9:30 a.m./9:40 a.m. 9:40 a.m./9:50 a.m. 10:00 a.m./10:10 a.m. 10:10 a.m./10:20 a.m. 10:30 a.m./10:40 a.m. 10:40 a.m./10:50 a.m. 11:00 a.m./11:10 a.m. Break until 11:40 a.m.

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Resume schedule at 11:40 a.m. at the Courthouse parking lot Break until 11:40 a.m. 11:40 a.m./11:50 a.m. 12:00 p.m./12:10 p.m. 12:10 p.m./12:20 p.m. 12:20 p.m./12:30 p.m. 12:30 p.m./12:40 p.m. 12:40 p.m./12:50 p.m. 12:50 p.m./1:00 p.m. 1:00 p.m./1:10 p.m. 1:10 p.m./1:20 p.m. 1:20 p.m./1:30 p.m. 1:30 p.m./1:40 p.m. 1:40 p.m./1:50 p.m. 1:50 p.m./2:00 p.m. Resume schedule at 2:30 p.m. at the courthouse parking lot Afternoon Schedule Break until 2:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m./2:40 p.m. 2:40 p.m./2:50 p.m. 2:50 p.m./3:00 p.m. 3:00 p.m./3:10 p.m. 3:10 p.m./3:20 p.m. 3:20 p.m./3:30 p.m. 3:30 p.m./3:40 p.m. 3:40 p.m./3:50 p.m. 3:50 p.m./4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m./4:10 p.m. 4:10 p.m./4:20 p.m. 4:20 p.m./4:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m./4:40 p.m. 4:40 p.m./4:50 p.m. 4:50 p.m./5:00 p.m.

*************************** Victoria S. Kavanagh

~Attorney at Law~

Specializing in Workers’ Compensation and Social Security Claims

Kavanagh & Kavanagh Law Offices

219 N. High Street Millville, NJ

856.765.9900 vkavanagh@millvillelaw.net

***************************

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