It is hard to believe we are just a few weeks away from 2022! This Fall, NJWLA hit the ground running. On September 29, 2021, our amazing Women’s Leadership Committee kicked off our programing with Speed Mentoring held in person and outdoors at Stage House in Scotch Plains, generously sponsored by Sills Cummis & Gross P.C. Modeled after speed dating, our Speed Mentoring Program focused on quick-hit information and time-efficient networking to help our members find a mentor, mentee, or ally in all stages of their careers. We were joined by an amazing group of Judges, law clerks, law students, law firm partners, law firm associates, and in-house counsel who participated as mentors or mentees.
On October 6, 2021, we enjoyed the Fall Kickoff Cocktail Party at Stateside Tap & Tavern in Somerset. This event gave everyone the opportunity to get back together in person to meet, mingle, and kick-off another dynamic year of programming. Many thanks to Gomperts Penza & Mcdermott LLC and Gillman Strategic Group for their sponsorship and for the delicious take-home chocolate treats!
On October 19, 2021, NJWLA held Pathways to Leadership were attendees were treated to an inspirational evening with NJWLA’s Past Presidents and New Jersey’s most prominent women leaders who provided thoughtful, candid and inspirational insights into their career paths. The program also explored career development, self-promotion, work-life balance and diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives so we can continue to advance women lawyers to the highest levels of our profession.
On November 3, 2021, our Solo & Small Firm Committee hosted What’s in Your “Go Bag”? Practical Tips for Solos and Small Firms on Emergency Funding and Surviving a Crisis via Zoom generously sponsored by SobelCo. Panelists provided vital information on funding opportunities as well as what a small law firm or solo practitioner should have in her “go bag” in the case of a crisis.
Our very busy Young Lawyers Committee held a Zoom Meet and Greet on October 4, 2021 to provide information on how to get more involved in NJWLA and to discuss ideas for upcoming events. On November 23, 2021, Young Lawyers continued its impressive and creative programing with Friendsgiving & Mixology which gave our members a lively evening of mixology, trivia, & entertainment, generously sponsored by Sobel Tinari. We even learned how to make seasonal cocktails led by a professional instructor.
Continuing with our Wellness Programming, NJWLA’s In House Committee along with the Association of Corporate Counsel New Jersey (ACC-NJ) held a Zoom program on November 9, 2021 entitled It’s OK to Not be OK where participants shared candid stories and tips on navigating the “new normal.”
On November 29, 2021, NJWLA continued its “Tales from the Bench Series” at which members heard candid insights from the Hon. Marianne Espinosa (Ret.) over cocktails and hors d’oeuvres generously sponsored and hosted by Javerbaum Wurgaft Hicks Kahn Wikstrom & Sinins, P.C.
Last week, NJWLA gathered at its annual Holiday Party on December 6, 2021 generously sponsored and hosted by our Women’s Leadership Co-Chair Megan Monson, Past President Lynda Bennett and Lowenstein Sandler LLP. Our attendees enjoyed getting together in person to toast to 2022 and support this year’s charitable partner, Partners, a non-profit public interest law firm that is dedicated to making a difference in the lives of domestic violence and sexual assault victims.
On December 14, 2021, NJWLA offered a free Zoom Ethics CLE entitled: Why Embracing Self-Care is the Best Way to Avoid Professionalism & Ethics Pitfalls: Putting on our Own Oxygen Masks Before Helping Others generously sponsored by KSBranigan Law P.C.
2022 Upcoming Events
We also have much to look forward to in 2022! NJWLA will also be relaunching its Mentoring Programing spearheaded by our Young Lawyers and Women’s Leadership Committees on January 20, 2022 and NJWLA will hold a Virtual Open House on January 25, 2022 where we will discuss NJWLA’s nominations process and how to apply for E-Board and Committee positions for our 2022-2023 term.
On March 29, 2022, NJWLA will hold its long-awaited 14th Annual WILL Platinum Gala at The Grove in Cedar Grove after not being able to gather in person in 2020 or 2021. We have the honor of recognizing the Honorable Tonianne J. Bongiovanni, U.S.M.J. (Judicial Sector – Federal), Honorable Marianne Espinosa, New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division (Retired) (Judicial Sector – State), Loren L. Pierce, Esq., Bressler, Amery & Ross, P.C. (Private Sector), Eboneé Lewis, Esq., Associate General Counsel – Employment, Becton, Dickinson and Company (BD) (Corporate Sector/In House), and Lora Fong, Esq., Assistant Attorney General Chief Diversity Officer for the Department of Law and Public Safety (Public Sector). Of course, no Gala is complete without our amazing Mistress of Ceremonies, Honorable Madeline Cox Arleo, U.S.D.J. We will also be recognizing our Grant Recipients and Scholarship Winners from Seton Hall Law School and Rutgers Law School – Newark and Camden campuses. Thank you to all of our Gala sponsors and attendees for your generous support that permits us to continue these important programs. Please follow the links in this email or at njwla.org to find out more about this year’s impressive honorees and the various sponsorship opportunities available.
NJWLA is proud to continue to offer these programs and events throughout the year and we thank our hosts and sponsors who provide us with invaluable support. If you would like to be more involved in NJWLA, please contact us or join us at one of our upcoming events. And for those of you that have been engaged throughout the year, thank you for your continued enthusiasm and support!
We look forward to seeing everyone at our upcoming programs either virtually or in person and at our Gala on March 29th. Until then, on behalf of NJWLA, we hope you enjoy a joyous holiday season and a happy, healthy & prosperous new year!
Dina M. Mastellone, NJWLA President