AFBNJ Past Events
February 20, 2025 : Best Practices for Written Advocacy in Federal Court
The United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, in conjunction with the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey, presents:
Best Practices for Written Advocacy in Federal Court
Thursday, February 20, 2025
12:00 – 1:30 pm
Virtual Webinar
Moderator:
Christina O. Hud, Esq., Pfizer Inc., Senior Counsel – Global Investigations
Panelists:
Hon. Ann Marie Donio, U.S. Magistrate Judge, District of New Jersey
Hon. Jerrold N. Poslusny, Jr., U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, District of New Jersey
Hon. Noel L. Hillman (Ret.), Gibbons P.C.
This program will cover both the form and substance of written submissions to the federal court and will discuss how well-written submissions can advance your clients’ interests and build credibility with the court. The panel of sitting and retired Judges will provide insight regarding common mistakes, issues they see and how to handle mistakes that have been made.
This CLE event is free of charge for current AFBNJ members, $25 for non-members and will be held virtually.
This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 1.8 hours of total substantive CLE credit. Of these, 0 qualify as hours of total credits for ethics, professionalism, and professional responsibility, of which 0 qualify as hours of credit for diversity, inclusion and elimination of bias (BCLE Reg. 302:1).
This program has been approved for 1.5 Pennsylvania CLE credit.
February 4, 2025 : Federal Sentencings: Best Practices for Sentencing Presentations And Overview of Recent USSG Amendments
Federal Sentencings: Best Practices for Sentencing Presentations And Overview of Recent USSG Amendments:
A Discussion about Sentencings with District Judges and an Overview of the USSG Amendments with the US Attorney’s Office and the Federal Public Defender’s Office
Tuesday, February 4, 2025
12:30 – 2:00 pm
Virtual Webinar
The first hour of this two-part program will be a discussion with District Judges regarding what courts look for in written submissions and oral presentations for sentencing and what information counsel or the defendant can provide to impact a sentence. The last 30-minutes will be an overview of the recent amendments to the US Sentencing Guidelines from representatives of the US Attorney’s Office and the Federal Public Defender’s Office.
Moderator:
Joseph B. Shumofsky, Esq., Sills Cummis & Gross P.C.
Panelists:
Hon. Katharine S. Hayden, U.S. District Judge, District of New Jersey
Hon. Evelyn Padin, U.S. District Judge, District of New Jersey
Hon. Zahid N. Quraishi, U.S. District Judge, District of New Jersey
Louise Arkel, Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Office of the Federal Public Defender, District of New Jersey
Desiree Grace, Esq., Chief, Criminal Division, US Attorney’s Office, District of New Jersey
This CLE event is free of charge for current AFBNJ members, $25 for non-members and will be held virtually.
This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 1.8 hours of total substantive CLE credit. Of these, 0 qualify as hours of total credits for ethics, professionalism, and professional responsibility, of which 0 qualify as hours of credit for diversity, inclusion and elimination of bias (BCLE Reg. 302:1).
This program has been approved for 1.5 Pennsylvania CLE credit.
7th Annual Federal Pro Bono Institute
Join the AFBNJ and the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey at the
7th Annual Federal Pro Bono Institute
Monday, January 27, 2025
CLE Program: 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
Zoom webinar
Litigating and Settling Prisoner Cases: Client Counseling, Mental Health, Settlement, and Beyond
This program will present a trio of panels focusing on special issues in prisoner and pro bono litigation, including mental health and client counseling in the context of prisoner litigation, and litigating and settling prisoner matters. The program will offer prospectives from federal judges, lawyers representing government entities, lawyers representing individuals in prisoner-related litigation, and mental-health professionals. Attendees will gather insight into substantive legal issues, practical tips, and strategies for counseling clients throughout the process.
Opening Remarks:
AFBNJ President Susan M. Leming, Brown & Connery, LLP
Chief Judge Renée Marie Bumb, U.S. District Judge, District of New Jersey
Jason S. Kanterman, Esq., Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP
Speakers Include:
Hon. Sharon A. King, U.S. Magistrate Judge, District of New Jersey
Hon. Elizabeth A. Pascal, U.S. Magistrate Judge, District of New Jersey
Hon. Justin T. Quinn, U.S. Magistrate Judge, District of New Jersey
Tracey C. Hinson, Esq., Hinson Snipes LLP
Claressa Lowe, Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Office of the Federal Public Defender, District of New Jersey
William M. Tambussi, Esq., Brown & Connery, LLP
Allan M. Tepper, J.D., Psy. D.
Michael Vomacka, Esq., Deputy Attorney General, Law Enforcement and Corrections Section, New Jersey Office of the Attorney General
Important CLE Information:
This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 2.3 hours of total CLE credit, of these, 0 qualify as hours of total credit for ethics, professionalism, and professional responsibility.
This program has been approved for 2.0 substantive CLE credits towards Pennsylvania, of these, 0 qualify as ethic credit.
In order to receive proper credit, each attendee is required to complete and submit a CLE affirmation form after the program, including filling in the code(s) provided during the program.
The U.S. District Court Pro Bono Program is a certified pro bono organization for the NJ Supreme Court. Work done on behalf of a federal pro bono client counts towards an attorney’s Madden credits.
February 24, 2025 : Chapter 11 Complex Procedures – Evolving to Better Meet Needs
The Lawyers Advisory Committee for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of New Jersey, in conjunction with the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey, presents:
Chapter 11 Complex Procedures – Evolving to Better Meet Needs
Monday, February 24, 2025
12:00 – 1:30 pm
Virtual Webinar
Moderator:
Tara J. Schellhorn, Esq., Riker Danzig LLP
Panelists:
Hon. Mark E. Hall, U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, District of New Jersey
Jeanne Naughton, Esq., Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of New Jersey
Andrew Dickson, Chief Deputy Clerk, U.S. Bankruptcy Court, District of New Jersey
Sean E. Quigley, Esq., Deputy-in-Charge, U.S. Bankruptcy Court Clerk’s Office, District of New Jersey
Martha R. Hildebrandt, Esq., Assistant U.S. Trustee, Office of the U.S. Trustee
Ross J. Switkes, Esq., Sherman Silverstein
Felice R. Yudkin, Esq., Cole Schotz P.C.
This program will provide an overview of the newly enacted Chapter 11 Complex Procedures, which govern large and “mega” cases in the district. An expert panel will provide a variety of perspectives about the impact of these procedures as well as practical tips for navigating complex cases in our court.
This CLE event is free of charge for current AFBNJ members, $25 for non-members and will be held virtually.
This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 1.8 hours of total substantive CLE credit. Of these, 0 qualify as hours of total credits for ethics, professionalism, and professional responsibility, of which 0 qualify as hours of credit for diversity, inclusion and elimination of bias (BCLE Reg. 302:1).
This program has been approved for 1.5 Pennsylvania CLE credit.
January 8, 2025 : Virtual Brown Bag Luncheon – Practice Pointers & Strategies for Initiating Civil Litigation
The United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, in conjunction with the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey, presents:
Practice Pointers and Strategies for Initiating Civil Litigation
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
12:30 – 2:00 pm
Virtual Webinar
Moderator:
William T. Reilly, Esq., General Counsel, McCarter & English LLP
Panelists:
Hon. Leda Dunn Wettre, U.S. Magistrate Judge, District of New Jersey
G. Glennon Troublefield, Esq., Partner, Carella, Byrne, Cecchi, Brody & Agnello, P.C.
Amy Walker Wagner, Esq., Assistant General Counsel, Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey
This program will dive into the earliest stages of federal commercial litigation, including pre-filing considerations, preparing necessary pleadings, and what to expect after filing, and how the expectations of stakeholders, especially clients, can shape litigation strategy at these stages.
This CLE event is free of charge for current AFBNJ members, $25 for non-members and will be held virtually.
This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 1.8 hours of total substantive CLE credit. Of these, 0 qualify as hours of total credits for ethics, professionalism, and professional responsibility, of which 0 qualify as hours of credit for diversity, inclusion and elimination of bias (BCLE Reg. 302:1).
This program has been approved for 1.5 Pennsylvania CLE credit.
View from the Bench: Peek Behind the Curtain (3rd Circuit) – November 20, 2024
View from the Bench: Peek Behind the Curtain During an Oral Argument Before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
3:00 pm – 5:00 pm CLE Program
5:00 pm Reception*
Frank Lautenberg Post Office & U.S. Courthouse
Ceremonial Courtroom – 3rd Floor
2 Federal Square
Newark, NJ
Join the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey and The Third Circuit Bar Association as they peel back the curtain on an argument before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals. This program, through mock argument, will provide advocates with an opportunity to hone appellate advocacy skills while also learning from valuable insight provided by sitting Third Circuit judges.
Hon. Michael A. Chagares, Chief Judge, United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Hon. Arianna Freeman, United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Hon. Tamika R. Montgomery-Reeves, United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
Advocates:
Timothy Shepherd, Esq., Office of the Federal Public Defender, District of New Jersey
Loly Garcia Tor, Esq., K&L Gates LLP
Moderators:
David R. Fine, Esq., K&L Gates LLP
Susan M. Leming, Esq., Brown & Connery, LLP
Cost:
General attendance: $65 per person
Government and public service employees: $40 per person
Federal judges and law school students: complimentary
*Food and drinks will be served.
Important CLE Information:
This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 2.4 hours of substantive CLE credit.
2.0 substantive CLE credits have been approved towards Pennsylvania.
In order to receive proper CLE credit, each attendee will be required to complete and submit a CLE affirmation form after the program.
Email: [email protected] or call (973) 327-7505 with questions.
Important Action Item: The AFBNJ is proud to support Danny’s Pantry. We will be collecting packaged and canned goods, in addition to Shoprite gift cards, at the event. If you prefer to select items to donate from the Danny’s Pantry Amazon Wish List, please click here.
Danny’s Pantry honor Judge Salas’s son Daniel Anderl on the fourth anniversary of his tragic death. To transform sorrow into positivity, the District Court has established this food pantry to assist people in need who come through the court doors, including participants in our Pretrial Opportunity Program and ReNew Program and others supervised by the court. The pantry alleviates the burdens faced by poverty-stricken families and individuals. In a time of much controversy and strife, it has brought Daniel’s parents great joy to know that our Court is doing its part to spread light and love to the community it serves.