Post on 16-Oct-2020
The Middlesex County Bar Association Monthly Newsletter
ItismydistincthonorandprivilegetoserveasPresidentoftheMCBA,thegreatestBarAssociation,inthegreatestcountyin
thestate.Iamhumbledtohavebeenselect-edtothisprestigiouspositionandhopetoliveuptotheexpectationsofthosewhomtheBarAssociationserves.
Hadyoutoldme5yearsagothatIwouldeventuallytakeof iceduringaworld-widepandemicandcompletecourtshut-down,Iwouldhaveeitherlaughedinyourface,orpolitelydeclinedtheopportunity.Intruth,itisnotjustdaunting,butalsosome-whatintimidatingtobeconfrontedwiththechallengeofleadershipinsuchauniqueandunprecedentedtime.COVID-19hashadanimpactonallofus,inonewayoranother,butIamcon identthatwiththehardworkanddedicationoftheindustrious,energetic,andinnovativeof icersandtrustees,adver-sitywillgivewaytoadaptationandleadtoopportunityforimprovement.
TherearemanytowhomIpersonallyoweahugedebtofgratitude.Hon.TaraAuc-iello,JMCformotivatingmetobecomein-volvedintheBarAssociation,makingmeherco-chairoftheMunicipalCourtPracticeCommittee(alongwithJohnHogan)anden-couragingmetobecomeaTrustee.CraigAronow,forencouragingmetoseekalead-ershippositionontheExecutiveCommitteeandforalwaysbeingtheretoofferawordofadviceandalisteningearwhenneeded.MerewordsalonefailwhenattemptingtoarticulateproperthankstoJonathanCowles,thehardestworkingmaninshowbiz,andElaineMiller,theMCBA’sbest-keptsecret.Withouttheirtireless,HerculeaneffortsthisAssociationwouldnotandcouldnotexist.Theirabilitytopivotandshiftinthefaceofa“newnormal”withoutmissingabeatisnothingshyofinspirational.Thoughwearenavigatingunchartedwaters,knowingthatwehaveJonathanandElaineattheship’s
helm,thereisnodoubtweshallweatherthestorm.ThankyoutoDariaVenezia,theIm-mediatePast-President,forherleadershipandguidanceinmakingmytransitiontothepositionassmoothaspossibleandforaphe-nomenalyearasPresident.ThankyoutoJudgeToto,thePJ’sandalltheJudgeswhothemselveshavehadtoadaptandwhohavebeenworkingsocooperativelywithus,thepractitioners,tokeepthevirtualdoorsopenandthewheelsofjusticespinningforthebene itofthepublicwehavetakenoathstoserve.
IlookforwardtobeingpartofthisAsso-ciation’sgrowthandtransformation,inthecomingyearandbeyond.Despitethepan-demic,theMCBAhascontinuedtoevolveandanswerthecallforactionwhencurrenteventsandtheneedsofthepublicandpro-fessiondictate.In2020theMCBAonceagainco-sponsoredtheMcFoodsDrive.TheAsso-ciationjoinedtheStateBarinopposingpro-posedamendmentstotheRulesofEvidenceconcerningthescopeofcross-examinationincriminaltrials.Sincequarantinebegan,theMCBAhascreatedcountlesswebinarsofferingCLEcreditsataffordablepricesonmyriadtopics,andhaspartneredwithNJCBNtorecordtheprogramsandofferthemondemand.TheAssociationsponsoredtheWillsforWarriorsprojectwherevolun-teerlawyerspreparedsimplewillsforfrontlineworkersatRWJBarnabasHospital.TheLGBTQ+Committeewasformedtoacknowledge,support,andservethosewhoarepartofthecommunity.
Inresponsetothesenselessmurdersof,andviolenceagainst,BlackAmericansandinrecognizingtheneedtoconfrontracismandworktoeffectuatetruechange,theMCBABoardfortheAdvancementofRacialEquityandSocialJustice(BARESJ)wasfoundedandannounced, ittingly,onJuneteenth.Whilethisisallagoodstart,thereisstillmuchworktobedone.Inthecomingmonthswe
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The Middlesex County Bar Associa on 87 Bayard Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901 � www.mcbalaw.com � 732.828.3433
Upcoming Events “State of the Middlesex County Judiciary” Virtual Meeting Thursday, September 24th (See page 7 for details) Annual Golf Outing Royce Brook Country Club Monday, October 5th (See page 9 for details) 15th Annual Practice Area Awards Recognition Thursday, October 22nd Rescheduled from March 2020 (See page 13 for details)
What’s Inside Calendar of Events………… 2 7 Tips for Lawyers Seeking Help for Anxiety, Depression or Substance Abuse by Stanley Popovich ………… 3 Up in a Puff . . . by Peter Lederman , Esq. …… 5 Avoid Clichés for More Vibrant Writing by Hon. Robert Jones, JSC …. 10 Scenes from the 2020 2020 Installation Event ……... 11
Message from the President . . . By Eugene Wishnic, Esq.
CalendarofEvents
The Middlesex Advocate 87 Bayard Street
New Brunswick, NJ 08901 Phone: (732) 828-3433
Fax: (732) 828-5862 www.mcbalaw.com
Newsletter Editor
Megha R. Thakkar, Esq.
Letters to the Editor We welcome letters from MCBA members responding to recent articles or to events or issues of general concern to the bar. Commentary Articles Bar members are invited to submit “op-ed” articles, not longer than 750 words, which take affirmative or negative positions on matters of interest to the bar. Practice-Oriented Articles We welcome the submission of substantive law articles, to be limited to 2,000 words or less. News About People & Firms MCBA members are invited to submit announcements and photographs of new firms, new hires, promotions, awards, celebrations and other noteworthy events. Obituaries Obituaries about Middlesex County lawyers may be submitted and should be 300 words or less. Materials submitted for publication should be sent to jcowles@mcbalaw.com and may be edited for style or abridged due to space limits. Photographs must be submitted electronically in jpg format.
Cal
enda
r
Page 2 — September 2020 — The Middlesex Advocate
September9–Wednesday@9:00a.m.ELDERLAWCOMMITTEEMEETING-TheCommitteewilldiscusscurrentpracticerelatedissuesandCLEprogramideasforthecomingyear.Thereisnocosttoattend.ToRSVPandgetalinktothemeetingsendanemailtojcowles@mcbalaw.com.September15–Tuesday@10:00a.m.CRIMINALPRACTICECLE(2Credits)–Understand-ingAutismSpectrumDisorderandtheCriminalTrialProcess.Speaker:HeatherEllisCucolo,Esq.,Professor,NewYork&EmoryLawSchools.Cost:$10-LawClerks;$20-YoungLawyers;$25-MCBAMembers;and$50-AllOthers.September18–Friday@12:15p.m.BOARDOFTRUSTEESVIRTUALMEETING–BarMembersarewelcometoattendviawebcast.ToRSVPpleasesendemailtojcowles@mcbalaw.cominadvance.September24–Thursday@12:00p.m.IMMIGRATIONLAWCLE(1.5Credits)–MotionPrac-ticeinImmigrationCourt.Speakers:CesarMartinEstela,Esq.;JasonScottCamilo,Esq.;andMichaelAl-longo,Esq.Cost:$10-LawClerks;$15-YoungLawyers;$20-MCBAMembers;and$40-AllOthers.September24–Thursday@3:00p.m.*CRIMINALJUSTICEREFORMUPDATE(1.2Credits)–Speakers:Hon.BenjaminBucca,Jr.,JSC;CriminalDivi-sionManagerLauraSchweitzer,Esq.&AshleyChavers,Pre-TrialServices.Cost:$10-YoungLawyers;$15-Members;and$30-Non-MemberAttorneys.September24–Thursday@4:00p.m.*ANNUALSTATEOFTHEJUDICIARYADDRESS(1.2Credits)–Speakers:Hon.MichaelToto,AJSCandPre-sidingJudgesHon.ColleenFlynn,Hon.JamieHappas,Hon.VincentLeBlon,Hon.DeborahVenezia,andHon.ChristineHeitmann.Cost:$10-YoungLawyers;$15-Members;and$30-Non-MemberAttorneys.September30–Wednesday@1:30p.m.DIVERSITYCLE(2Credits)–MakingtheCaseforCul-turallyCompetentRepresentation.Speakers:CedricAshely,Esq.;Hon.PedroJimenez,JSC;andValerieJackson,Esq.Cost:$20-MCBAMembersand$40-AllOthers.October1–Thursday,10:00a.m.ADVANCEDMEDIATIONTRAING–PART1of2(2.4Credits)–Speakers:Hon.TravisFrancis(Ret.);Hon.EdwinStern(Ret.);andHon.FrankCiuffani(Ret.)Moderator:DavidGreen ield,Esq.AttendanceatParts1and2meetstheannual4‐houradvancedtrainingrequirementforR.140CivilMediators.Costpersession:$30-MCBAMembersand$60-AllOthers.Costforbothsessions:$45-MCBAMembersand$90-AllOthers.
October5–Monday,11:00a.m.ANNUALGOLFOUTING–RoyceBrookCountryClub,Hillsborough.Co-sponsoredbytheMiddlesexCountyTrialLawyersAssociation.AllproceedsfromBarFoundationraf lewillgotheEsmadaTrusttohelptheAnderl/Salasfamily.(Seepage9foreventdetails.)October7‐Tuesday,11:00a.m.CO‐HABITATIONSHORTWEBCASTSpeaker:AnthonyDeLorenzo,AllStateInvestigationModerator:JohnP.Paone,Jr.,Esq.Sendemailtojcowles@mcbalaw.comforZoomlinkOctober8–Thursday,10:00a.m.ADVANCEDMEDIATIONTRAINING–PART2of2(2.4Credits)–Speakers:Hon.TravisFrancis(Ret.);Hon.EdwinStern(Ret.);andHon.FrankCiuffani(Ret.)Moderator:DavidGreen ield,Esq.AttendanceatParts1and2meetstheannual4‐houradvancedtrain‐ingrequirementforR.140CivilMediators.Costperses-sion:$30-MCBAMembersand$60-AllOthers.Costforbothsessions:$45-MCBAMembersand$90-AllOthers.October9–Friday@12:00p.m.MUNICIPALCOURTCLE(1.5Credits)–HandlingDo-mesticViolenceMattersinMunicipalCourt.Speakers:Hon.GaryPrice,JMC;MatthewTeeter,Esq.;andJor-danRickards,Esq.Cost:$10-LawClerks;$15-YoungLawyers;$20-MCBAMembers;and$40-AllOthers.October16–Friday2020NJPARALEGALVIRTUALCONVENTIONProgramsinclude:BrandingYourself;Cybersecurity;E-Discovery;Ethics;FamilyLaw;FederalCourt;MedicalMalpractice;RealEstate;WorkersCompensation;and7HabitsoftheIndispensableParalegal.Fordetailssendemailtoinfo@njparalegalconvention.com.October16–Friday@12:15p.m.BOARDOFTRUSTEESMEETING–BarMembersarewelcometoattendviawebcast.ToRSVPpleasesendemailtojcowles@mcbalaw.cominadvance.October22–Thursday@3:00p.m.15THANNUALPRACTICEAREAAWARDSEVENT-RescheduledfromMarch2020.Pre‐EventCLEWebcastat3:00p.m.‐AllAbouttheFeeArbitra‐tionProcess.(1.5EthicsCredits).Speakers:FeeArbi-trationCommitteeChairStevenNudelman,Esq.andSecretaryWilliamIsele,Esq.Cost:$15-Membersand$30-Non-MemberAttorneys.Awardrecognitionat4:30p.m.Recipientsinclude:LynneKizis(Civil);Den-iseThomas(Criminal);MarkCintron(MunicipalCourt);SenwanAkhtar(Transactional);RichardRo-mano(Chancery);andVictoriaPaone(YoungLawyer).Nocosttoattend.(Seepage13foreventdetails.)*Thoseattendingboththe3pmCJRUpdateprogramandthe4pmStateoftheJudiciaryAddressw/CLEcreditgeta50%discount.
AlleventswillbeheldviaZoomunlessotherwiseindicated.TheMCBAisanapprovedproviderofcontinuinglegaleducationinNewJerseyandallCLEprogramslistedabovewillmeettherequirementsoftheBCLEoftheSupremeCourtofNJ.
The Middlesex Advocate — September 2020 — Page 3
Alittleknownsecretinthelegalcommu-nityisthementalhealthcrisisthatlaw-yershavebeendealingwithoverthepastfewyears.Thefactofthematteristhatmanylawyersfacevariousmental
healthissuesonaregularbasisandmanyofthemareafraidanddonotknowwheretoturnforhelp.Tomakethingsevenworse,somelawyersareafraidtoaskforhelpbecauseitcoulddamagetheirreputationandcreateamentalhealthstigmaamongtheirpeersandclients.Asaresult,hereare7suggestionsonhowlawyerscanseekhelpfortheirmentalhealthissueswithouttheseissuesinterferingwiththeircareerandreputation.No.1:AcceptThatYouHaveaProblemThe irststepanylawyerneedstodoistoaccepttheyhaveamentalhealthproblem.Makingexcusesorignoringyourmentalhealthissuesisamistakethatwillnotonlyruinyourcareerbutcanruinyourentirelife.Makethesmartchoiceandadmitthatyouneedhelp.No.2:UsetheServicesofaProfessionalTalktoamentalhealthprofessionalwhocanhelpyouman-ageyourdepressionandmentalhealthissues.Amentalhealthcounselorwillbeabletoprovideyouwithadditionaladviceandinsightsonhowtodealwithyourcurrentprob-lem.Mostimportantly,listentowhattheprofessionalshavetosayandfollowtheiradvicesoyoucangetyourlifebackontrack.No.3:YouAreNotAlone,JoinaSupportGroupThereareacountlessnumberofmentalhealthsupportgroupsalloverthecountry.Manybusinessprofessionals(justlikeyou)gotothesegroupstogethelp.Gotoasupportgroupinyourareaandmeetpeoplewhoarealsostrugglingwiththesameissuesyouarecurrentlydealingwith.Bygoingtothesegroups,youwillrealizethatyouarenotaloneandthattherearepeoplewhocanrelatetoyoursituationandarewillingtohelpyouout.No.4:CommunicateYourSituationtoYourPeersYouhaveachoiceonwhoyouwanttotalktoaboutyourmentalhealthissues.Yourbestbetistokeepthingscon i-dentialwhileyoufocusongettingyourlifebackontrack.Intermsofyourjob,explainyoursituationtoyoursupervisors.Bewillingtoanswertheirquestionssotheyunderstandwhereyouarecomingfrom.No.5:DoNotTrytoGetEveryone’sApprovalMostemployerswillbeunderstandingwithyoursituation,
7TipsforLawyersSeekingHelpforAnxiety,DepressionorSubstanceAbuseBy:StanPopovich
howevertheremaybesomepeoplewhowillcausesomefric-tion.Thefactofthematteristhatyoucan’tpleaseeverybodyinliferegardlesshowmuchyoutry.Thekeyistodowhatisbestforyouandforyourfamily.No.6:It’sAboutYourLifeManylawyershavealotoftimeandhardworkinvestedintheircurrentcompany.Asaresult,manylawyerswillsacri-icetheirmentalhealthissuesforthesakeofprotectingtheirinvestmentsandtheirreputationwiththeiremployerandpeers.Yourmentalhealthissueswillnotgoawaybythem-selves.Yourlifeismoreimportantthanyourcareer.Jobscomeandgo,butyourphysicalandmentalhealthisacon-stant.Makethesmartchoicesanddowhatisbestforyouinthelongrun.No.7:LearntheMistakesFromOthersIfyoustillfeelthatyourcareerismoreimportantthanyourmentalhealth,thenfollowthelessonsfromotherlawyerswhoneglectedtheirhealth.Thereareacountlessnumberofpeoplewhoignoredtheirmentalhealthissuesforvariousreasonsandeithercommittedsuicideortheyendeduplosingeverything.Donotmakethesamemistake.Ifyouareunsureonhowtodealwithyourmentalhealthis-suesandyourcareer,talktoaprofessionalmentalhealthcounselororyourprimarycarephysicianforadvice.Theseexpertswillbeabletohelpyoumaketherightdecisionsandsteeryouintherightdirection.StanPopovich isthe author of the popular managing fear book, “ALayman’s Guide to Managing Fear”. For more informationabout Stan’sbook and to get some free mental health advice, please visit Stan’swebsite at www.managingfear.com
MCBABARESJAnnounces2ndTraining
Wednesday,September30th1:30p.m.
MakingtheCasefor
CulturallyCompetentRepresentation
Speakers:CedricAshely,Esq.
Hon.PedroJimenez,JSCValerieJackson,Esq.
Fordetailsgoto:www.mcbalaw.com
(ReprintedwithpermissionfromtheAu‐gust10,2020issueoftheNewJerseyLawJournal©2019ALMMediaProperties,LLC.Furtherduplicationwithoutpermis‐sionisprohibited.Allrightsreserved.)
Arevolutionhasoccurred.Therewerenoheroicsacri ic-es,nomassiveprotests,norammingtheramparts.Noonemadeaspeechthatchangedthetidesofhistory,nooneral-liedthemasses,noonestoodupandsaid,“I’mangryandI’mnotgoingtotakeitanymore!”Notasingleshotwas iredinanger.Notadropofbloodwasspilt.Itoccurredfasterthananyonecouldhaveexpected,changinganinstitutionthatwithstoodwellintentionedreformforoverseventyyears.Itwasrandom,suddenandfromallappearances, inal.
Seemingly,inapuff,theNewJerseyMunicipalCourtsys-temcamecrashingdownasaresultofacon luenceofevents.Takenbythemselves,theseeventshadlittletodowiththeministrationsoftheCourts.Togetherhowever,theycreatedasynergythatonlythemostprescientofuscouldhaveantici-patedwouldleadtotheendoftheMunicipalCourtsystemaswehaveknownit.
Threefactorscreatedthisperfectstorm.Themostobvi-ousisthepandemicwhichhasravagedourstate,countryandplanet.Intheabsenceofa“miracledrug”tosaveusallfromthisscourge,wehavebeendirectedto“sociallydistance”fromothers.InthecontextofNewJerseyMunicipalCourtsthishasmeantabstainingfromwhathascometobeknownas“inpersonappearances”.ItisobvioustoanyoneappearinginmanyoftheMunicipalCourtsthroughouttheState,thatessential“socialdistancing”wouldbedif icultifnotimpossi-bleduetoeachcourtroom’suniquedesigncharacteristicsandspace.Consequently,ourSupremeCourtsuspendedthesesessionsinmostcases,becauseoftheimperativesofpublichealth.
Thesecondfactoristheongoing,insatiableneedforrev-enueotherwisegeneratedinnormaltimesfrommunicipalcourts.Inround igures,thesecourtscollectedabout400milliondollarsinrevenuefrom inesandsurchargesin2019.Thisrevenuesourceessentiallydriedupasaresultofcourtsessionsending.Themissingrevenuescreatedanevengreat-erproblemfortowns,countiesandstategovernments,whoweregettinghithardbecauseofotherrevenueshortfallsthatalsooccurredasaresultofcovid-19.WhatdidPlatosay?Necessityisthemotherofinvention.
The inalpieceofthepuzzlewasthedigitalrevolution.Asaproductofthatrevolution,wehaveallbecome“connected”inwaysthatcouldonlyhavebeenimaginedtenyearsearlier.Considerthatayearago,89%ofallhouseholdsinNewJerseyhadatleastonecomputer,82%hadadesktoporlaptopand74%hadasmartphone.Thesecomputershaveenabledustoeasilycommunicatewitheachotherbyword,voiceandim-age.Iimaginethatthisabsorptionwillonlyincreaseuntileveryonewillhavesomewayofcommunicatingthroughtheinternet.
UpinaPuff...ByPeterH.Lederman,Esq.Lomurro,Munson,Comer,Brown&Schottland,LLC
Thecon luenceoftheseeventschangedaMunicipalCourtsystemthatsimplyseemedincapableofchange.The“system”of560someoddredundantcourts,eachduplicatingtheservicesofneighboringcourts,hasenduredcallsforre-formovertheyears.WhentheoldCountyDistrictCourtandCountyCourtsweremergedintotheuni iedNewJerseycourtsystem,MunicipalCourtsretainedtheirstandalonestatus.Whenthecrushofgovernmentalexpendituresdemandedef icienciesofscaledeliveringmorecomplexandinvolvedcourtservices,theonetown-onecourtsystemsurvivedun-derthebannerof“homerule”.Evenwhenitbecameclearthatproblemsfacedbyonetownseemedmoresimilarthannotwithneighboringtowns,courtsremaineddistinctandseparate.Worstofall,theprospectofProsecutorsandJudgesmakingdecisionsknowingthat“doingtherightthingmightbeapoorcareerdecision”,couldnotchangetheinstitution.
Virtualcourtappearances,however,havechangedevery-thing.Now,almostallmunicipalcourtdispositionsresultfromappearancesconductedovertheinternet.Onlyveryspecializedmattersrequiringpretrialhearingortrialareconducted“inperson”andthesehearingsandtrialsrarelyifeveroccur.
Beyondresolvingcasesbyvirtualappearances,theSu-premeCourthasinitiatedaprogramthatwillfurtherhastentheendofmunicipalcourts.DefendantscannownegotiatedirectlyonlinewithProsecutorstodowngradechargesandenterpleasthroughtheOnlineDisputeResolutionprogram.ThisprogrambeganinMayinalimitednumberofcourtsandiscontinuouslyexpanding.Unlikepleasbymail,adefendantdoesnothavetodemonstrateanyunduehardshiptoresolvetheircomplaintthroughthisprogram.
Attheendoftheday,itisperfectlyclearthatwithelec-tronicdispositions,“inperson”appearancesarebyinlarge,nolongerneeded.Thenewrealityisthatthemunicipalcourtroomhasbeenreplacedbyascreen.Becauseofthis,courtsarelesspersonalandlesslocalastheJudge,Prosecutor,De-fendantandDefenseCounselarejustimagesonthatscreen.Thereisnomorecourtassuch,justimages.Consequently,anyJudgeatanylocation,atanytimecanpreside,anyProse-cutorcanprosecute,andanyDefenseCounselcandefend.Assuch,anyJudgeonascreencanandwillhearanynumberofcaseswithouttheneedforcourtrooms,parking,courtat-tendantsandevenlocaladministrativestaff.Townbounda-rieswillnotmakeanydifference.MunicipalCourtswillhavenoreasontobeMunicipalCourtsbynecessity.
So,itseemstome,MunicipalCourtswill,well…goupinapuff.ButI’vebeenwrongbefore!PeterLedermanisapartnerattheLawOf icesofLomurro,Munson,Com‐er,Brown&Schottland,LLCinFreehold.Hispracticeislimitedtorepre‐sentingdefendantschargedwithDrivingWhileIntoxicatedandrelatedmunicipalcourtoffensesthroughouttheStateofNewJersey.HeisCerti‐iedbytheNewJerseySupremeCourtasaMunicipalCourtTrialAttorney.Hecanbereachedatplederman@lomurrolaw.com.
The Middlesex Advocate — September 2020 — Page 5
Recognizingthatsmallbusi-nessesarethebackboneoftheU.S.economy,thefederalgovern-menthasopenedthecashspigottohelpthemstaveoffthepan-demiccrisis.WhilePaymentPro-tectionProgram(PPP)loansandexpandedunemploymentbene itshavegarneredallthehead-lines,theCoronavirusAid,Relief,andEconomicSecurity(CARES)Acthasalsodeliveredseveralsigni icanttaxbreaksforsmallbusinesses.Regardlessofthesizeortypeofyourbusiness,there’satleastonetaxbreakamongthesenewprogramsthatislikelytobringyouaddedrelief.
PayrollTaxDelayedThroughDecember31
Your6.2%employershareofSocialSecuritytaxesowedonwagespaidbetweenMarch27andDecember31,2020canbedeferredoverthenexttwoyears.HalfofthedeferredamountmustbepaidbyDecember31,2021,andtheotherhalfisduebyDecember31,2022.
Ifyou’reself-employed,youcandeferhalfofyourself-employmenttaxoverthesameperiod.
It’simportanttonotethatifyoureceivedaloanunderthePPPthathasbeenforgivenbecauseyouretainedyouremploy-ees,youarenolongereligibleforthistaxbreak.
PayrollTaxCredit
IfyourbusinesswasforcedtocloseorreducehoursduetotheCOVID-19crisis,andyoumanagedtoretainyouremployees,oryourgrossreceiptsinaquarterdeclinedbymorethan50%comparedtolastyear,youareeligibleforapayrolltaxcredit.Thecreditofupto$5,000isavailabletooffsetyour6.2%shareofSocialSecuritytaxesonwagespaidbetweenMarch13andDecember31,2020
Youcanreceivethiscreditbyeitherreducingtheemploy-menttaxdepositsyounormallypaybytheamountofthecredit,orby ilingIRSForm7200foranadvancepaymentforcreditsinexcessofyourpayrolltaxdeposits.
IfyouhavereceivedaPPPloan,youarenoteligibleforthecredit.
TemporarySuspensionofPass‐ThroughLossCap
TheCARESActhastemporarilysuspendedthecaponeligi-bledeductionsforpass-throughlossesincurredfrom2018
CARESActTaxBreaksforSmallBusinessesContributedbyProvidentBank
through2020.Thecap,whichwasinstitutedunderthe2017TaxCutsandJobsAct(TCJA),hadlimitedtheoffsetofNetOp-eratingLosses(NOLs)againstnon-businessincometo$500,000forjoint ilersand
$250,000forsingle ilers.
NetOperatingLossCarrybacksareBackTheTCJAeliminatedthetwo-yearcarrybackperiodfor
NOLs,whileextendingthecarryforwardtoaninde initeperiod,andlimitingNOLsto80percentoftaxableincome.TheCARESActtemporarilyrestorestheNOLcarrybackfora ive-yearperi-odforlossesincurredin2018through2020,andtemporarilyremovesthe80percentoftaxableincomelimitationfortaxyearsbeginningbeforeJanuary1,2021.
ExpandedInterestDeduction
UndertheTCJA,thedeductionforinterestonbusinessdebtwaslimitedto30%ofAdjustedTaxableIncome(ATI),withanyexcessdeductionrequiredtobecarriedforward.UndertheCARESAct,thenetinterestdeductioncapistemporarilyin-creasedto50%ofATIfor2019and2020.
DeductionforCharitableGiftsExpanded
For2020,theCARESActincreasestheallowablecharitabledeductionforcorporationsfrom10%ofannualtaxableincometo25%.Thedeductioncapfor2020contributionsoffoodinven-toryisalsoincreased,from15%to25%.
The“RetailGlitch”isFixed
DuetoadraftingerrorintheTCJA,retailersandrestaurantswerenotincludedinaprovisionthatprovidesbusinesseswithanimmediate100%bonusdepreciationforthecostsofshort-livedinvestments,suchasleaseholdimprovements.TheCARESActcorrectstheerror,retroactivetothe2018taxyear.
SeekProfessionalTaxAdviceNow
It’simportanttonotethatmostofthesetaxbreaksaretem-porary,andmanyhavecomplexrequirementsattachedtothem.Nowisthetimetomeetwithyourtaxadvisortoreviewthesetaxbreakstotakefulladvantage,especiallywiththosethatareret-roactive.
Page 6 — September 2020 — The Middlesex Advocate
willworkwiththeJudiciaryonplanstore-openthecourt-houseandre-startjurytrialsinbothcriminalandcivilcourts.Wewilladdressthechallengesjuryselectionandoth-eraspectsoflive,in-persontrialswillpose,withthegoalofreopeningthiscalendaryear,whileworkinghandinhandwiththeJudiciarytokeepthesafetyofthebench,barandpublicparamount.
Ipledgetomakeaspecialefforttolistentoyourneedsandaddressthemwithappropriateprogramming,planningandaction.Clearlynow,morethanever,theAssociationand
(Con nued from page 1) itsmembersneedeachother.ItismygoaltoensurethattheMCBAcontinuestobeasourceofstrengthandsupportforthemembersitserves.Ipledgetopromoteinclusionanddi-versityinbothmembershipandleadershipandtobeatruepartnerinthe ighttoendsystemicracismanddiscrimina-tion.IurgeyoutobecomemoreinvolvedintheBarAssocia-tion.Letusknowwhatwecandotomakethepracticeoflawandourcommunityabetterplace.Suggestaprogram,eventorcommittee.Becomeanactiveparticipantinanorganiza-tionthatneedsyouandishereforyou.Together,wecanmakeadifference.
125 Country Club Drive Skillman, New Jersey
The Middlesex Advocate — September 2020 — Page 7
Opening Virtual Event of the 2020-21 Court Term “State of the Middlesex County Judiciary”
Thursday, September 24th @ 4:00 p.m.
Speakers:
Hon. Vincent Le Blon Presiding Judge, Chancery
Hon. Michael A. Toto Assignment Judge
Hon. Christine Heitmann Presiding Judge, Middlesex County Municipal
Hon. Colleen M. Flynn Presiding Judge, Criminal
Hon. Jamie D. Happas Presiding Judge, Civil
Hon. Deborah J. Venezia Presiding Judge, Family
MCBA State of the Judiciary Virtual Meeting - 9/24/2020
Name(s):
Address:
Telephone #: Email:
CC#: Exp. Date: Sec. Code:
Amount Authorized: $ Name on Card:
Signature (for Credit Card Payment Only):
Cost: See pricing above. RSVP online at www.mcbalaw.com or send payment to Middlesex County Bar Association; 87 Bayard Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901. Meeting instructions will be sent to all who register in advance. For more information call the Bar Office at 732.828.3433, x. 102.
Member Non-Member
CJR Update
Judicial Address
Both
Payment Type
Visa
MasterCard
Amex
Check
(This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of NJ for 1.2 hours of total CLE credit. Recognized for NY CLE Credit.)
Pre-Event CLE Webcast @ 3:00 p.m.
Criminal Justice Reform Update
Guest speakers include: Hon. Colleen M. Flynn, PJ Cr; Criminal Division Manager Laura Schweitzer, Esq. and Ashley Chavers, Pre-Trial Services
The program will review the following: Risk Assessment (Public Safety Assessment “PSA”); First Appearance CJP; Detention Hearings; Speedy Trial; Pretrial Services and Pretrial Monitoring; and Post-COVID-19 Changes/Status.
This program has been approved by the BCLE of the Supreme Court of NJ for 1.2 hours of CLE credit. Of these, 1.2 qualify as hours of credit toward certification in criminal law. Cost to Attend CJR Update Only: $10-MCBA Young Lawyers; $15-MCBA Members; and $30-All Others Cost to Attend State of Judiciary Address Only: $10-MCBA Young Lawyers; $15-MCBA Members; and $30-All Others Cost to Attend Both Events: $10-MCBA Young Lawyers; $15-MCBA Members; and $30-All Others
(Law Clerks, Law School Students, Paralegals and Legal Secretaries are Free.)
In 2018, the Lawyer Referral Service connected over 3,000 callers with panel attorneys, and LRS panel members collected over $500,000 in fees from clients calling our service.
Lawyer Referral - A 24/7 online public service that can translate into increased client base and income for you and your law firm.
It is easy to join - To request an application, call us at 732-828-3433, ext. 100.
MCBA Lawyer Referral & MCBA Lawyers
The MCBA Lawyer Referral Service has been certified by the ABA since 1996 and is one of only two ABA certified programs in New Jersey.
The Middlesex Advocate — September 2020 — Page 9
Cost to Attend
MCBA Members:
Courthouse Staff/Law Clerks:
201 Hamilton Road Hillsborough, New Jersey
Cost: MCBA Members - $200
All Others - $225 Cocktails/Dinner Only - $85
To RSVP go to www.mcbalaw.com
or call 732.828.3433, x. 102
MCBA Annual Golf Outing - October 5, 2020 You can reserve online and pay online at www.mcbalaw.com or by submitting the form below w/credit card # or check (made payable to MCBA). Send to: Middlesex County Bar Assn, 87 Bayard St, New Brunswick, NJ 08901. (Please include your handicap or average score.)
Reserve the following:
Name 1
Name 2
Name 3
Name 4 Payment Type (check one): Visa MasterCard Amex Check Enclosed
(For Credit Card Payment Only) Account #: Exp. Date: Sec. Code: Payment Amt:
Credit Card Billing Address: City/State/Zip:
Email Address: Telephone #:
Name on Card: Signature:
2020 Annual Golf Outing Monday, October 5, 2020 Royce Brook Country Club
Hillsborough
GOLF PACKAGE
The Middlesex County Bar Foundation will sponsor and provide prizes for the “Rounds of Golf” and Prize Raffles. All proceeds will be donated to the Esmada Trust this year.
11:00 a.m. Registration
Practice Range Opens
12:00 p.m. Box Lunch @ Carts
12:30 p.m.
Scramble Format Shot-Gun Start
Putting Contest
(1st Round Play @ Putting Green) (Finals @ Putting Green Immediately After Play)
5:30 p.m.
Cocktails/Reception Awards/Prizes
(Masks will be required except on the driving range, during play of golf and while eating/drinking at the reception. All food & beverage service and table setup at the reception will be in
accordance with state regulations.)
MCTLA Member Non-Member
Handicap/ Avr Score
Reception Only
MCBA Member
Iwasgoingtonamethismonth’scol-umn Avoid Clichés Like the Plague. Ithoughtitwouldbeawittywaytostartthings off, but when I googled thephrase, I saw at least a dozen similarlytitledarticles.Somuchfororiginality.But the recommendation is still a solidone. Legal writers sometimes think cli-
ches add to their writing, but most often they detract. Whilephrases like slippery slope, strenuously object, and crystal clearmay seem helpful, they’re actually tired and overused. Yes, intheirheydaytheywerefreshandalive,butnomore.They’rebestreplaced.
I’mnot saying it’seasy tohuntdownclichesandkill them.It’s not. In fact, when I’ve looked back at my own writing –whether inbriefsas apractitioneroropinionsasa judge - I’vecringedmorethanafewtimes.DidIreallysaythecourtshouldthinkoutsidethebox?AndhowmanytimesdidIsaymyadver-sarywantedasecondbiteattheapple?
Sowhat’sthebestwaytoavoidcliches?Herearemysugges-tions:Whenyouedit, lookforphrasesyou’veheardbefore.Youmaywant to skim some of the lists of cliches available on theinternet.Also,beespecially carefulwhenyouuseaphraseyouthinksoundsclever.For instance, ifyou’re telling the judge thedefendant isplayingfastand loosewiththe facts,youmaywantto indafreshwaytomakeyourpoint.Usually,astrong,simplestatementworksbest.2Maybesaythedefendantisexaggerating
HowtoSayIt:LegalWritingThatPersuades
AvoidClichésforMoreVibrantWritingbyHon.RobertJ.Jones,J.S.C.1
orembellishingandthenfollowupwithanexampleortwo. I’mnotsayingtoburneverycliche.Theremaybetimeswhentheyuniquelycapturewhatyouwanttosay.Aclichealsomightoffertheperfectshorthandthathelpsyou indbrevity.Inaddi-tion,someexpertssuggestyoumaywantto“twist”theclichetogiveitnewlife.3Forexample,turntriedandtrueintotriedanduntrue.4Isawlegal-writingexpertBryanGarnerdothisinoneofhisbookswhenexplaininghowusingcharts,diagrams,andpic-turesinbriefscanhelpconveydif icult-to-followinformation.Heendedthediscussionwiththistwistedcliche:“Apicturecanbeworth…well,itcanhelpwinalawsuit.”5 Likemostwritingadvice,minehereisnotahard‐and‐fastrule(seehoweasilyclichessneakin).Sowhileyoushouldn’tbancliches,youshouldavoidthem.Ifyoudo,you’llwritesomethingthat’sstrongerandmorevibrant. Nextmonth:howeffectivetransitionscanhelpyouwriteabriefthatengagesthejudgefromstartto inish.1Thankyoutomyformerlawclerk,SamHowie,Esq.,forhishelpwiththiscolumn.2BryanA.Garner,TheWinningBrief:100TipsforPersuasiveBrie inginTrialandAppellateCourts317(3ded.).3D’AnnRasmussen,5AFreshLookatClichés,TheScribesJournalofLe‐galWriting152(1994-1995).4Id.at154.5Garner,TheWinningBrief,supra,at448.
Page 10 — September 2020 — The Middlesex Advocate
Scenes from the Installation Dinner The Park Chateau, East Brunswick - August 26, 2020
The Middlesex Advocate — September 2020 — Page 11
Page 13 — September 2020 — The Middlesex Advocate
15th Annual Practice Area Awards Recognition Thursday, October 22nd @ 3:00 p.m.
(Rescheduled from March 25, 2020)
MCBA Practice Area Awards Virtual Meeting - 10/22/2020
Name(s):
Address:
Telephone #: Email:
CC#: Exp. Date: Sec. Code:
Amount Authorized: $ Name on Card:
Signature (for Credit Card Payment Only):
Cost: See pricing above. RSVP online at www.mcbalaw.com or send payment to Middlesex County Bar Association; 87 Bayard Street, New Brunswick, NJ 08901. Meeting instructions will be sent to all who register in advance.
Member Non-Member
Fee Arbitration Webcast
Awards Recognition
Both
Payment Type
Visa
MasterCard
Amex
Check
Pre-Event CLE Webcast @ 3:00 p.m.
What Every Attorney Needs to Know About the Fee Arbitration Process
Speakers: Steven Nudelman, Esq., Chair, District VIII Fee Arbitration Committee
William P. Isele, Esq., Secretary, District VIII Ethics Committee
Cost to Attend Fee Arbitration Webcast: $15-MCBA Members and $30-All Others No cost to attend the Recognition Event
Transactional Attorney Award Senwan Akhtar, Esq.
Greenbaum Rowe Smith & Davis
Municipal Court Practice Award Mark Cintron, Esq. Prosecutor - New Brunswick
Criminal Trial Practice Award Denise Thomas, Esq.
Office of the Public Defender
Civil Trial Practice Award Lynne M. Kizis, Esq. Wilentz Goldman & Spitzer, PA
Robert Cirafesi Chancery Practice Award Richard D. Romano, Esq.
Law Office of Richard D. Romano
Young Lawyers Award Victoria Paone, Esq.
Paone Zaleski & Murphy
James P. Nolan, Jr., Esq. Law Offices of James P. Nolan & Associates
61 Green Street Woodbridge, NJ 07095
(732) 636-3344 Jnolan@JPNlaw.US
Certified Criminal Trial Attorney for 25 years
Former Assistant County Prosecutor Former Municipal Court Public Defender
Representing Defendants in Superior and Municipal Court since 1990
Accepting Referrals in all Criminal Matters
Referral fees paid promptly pursuant to Rule 1:39-6.(d)
Canfewercarsontheroadactuallymaketheroadsmoredangerous?Yes–thestatisticsareshowingthatwhilethenumberofcaraccidentsaredownduetotheCOVID-19relat-edquarantines,theratesofcrashes–includingtheinjuryandfatalityrates–areontherise.Thereasonappearstobealackoftraf icjams. SincetheCOVID-19shutdowns,thestreetsinandsur-roundingourlargestcities,usuallyjammedpackedwithcarsduringrushhours,arenownearlyempty.Thepicturesofemptyhighwaysarereminiscentofscenesfromanapocalyp-ticHollywoodmovie.Thetraf icjamsofoldhavegivenwaytowideopenroads.However,withlesscarsontheroad,manydriversaredrivingfasterandthisisleadingtomoreseverecrashes. Thedataseemstoindicatethatwhileincreasedtraf iccon-gestionandtraf icjamsleadtomoreaccidents,theseverityofcrashesislessenedbecausespeedsarereduced.Nowthatdriverscandrivefasterontheopenroads,thedatashowsanincreaseincrashseverityandfatalities. InNewYorkCity,thenumberofvehiclemilesdrivenbe-tweenMarch2andApril8ofthisyeardropped84%com-paredto2019accordingtodataprovidedbyStreetLight.However,thatsameperiodhasresultedinmorecrashfatali-tiesthanthesameperiodinfourofthelast iveyears.Withlesscongestedstreets,speedingticketsissuedbyspeedcam-
erasinNewYork’sschoolzonesincreasedby36%inthedaysafterNewYorkCityenacteditsquarantine.However,therewasalsoadramaticdecreaseintheamountofspeedingticketsissuedbyNewYorkpoliceof icers.Speedisalikelyexplanationfortheincreaseintraf icfatalitiesgiventheopenstreetsandreducedpolicepresence. Ruralareashavealsoseenadramaticincreaseinfatalities.InMinnesota,thenumberofcarcrashesandcrashfatalitieshavemorethandoubled.AccordingtotheMinnesotaOf iceofTraf icSafety,therewere24crashesand28fatalitiesbe-tweenMarch16andApril7thisyear,comparedtojust12crashesand13fatalitiestheyearprior.This115%increaseinfatalitiescomesatatimewhentheMinnesotaOf iceofTraf icSafetyreportsthattraf icvolumedropped47%. NewYorkandMinnesotaarenotalone,however.Similarincreasesintraf icfatalitiesdespitefewercrashesarebeingreportedinTexasandMassachusettsaswell. Locally,thedataprovidedbyStreetLight,showsthattraf icvolumeinHunterdon,SomersetandMiddlesexCountieshasdroppedbetween87%and90%.However,withRoute78,Route287andtheTurnpikecuttingthroughthosecounties,drivingspeedislikelytoincrease.Ifthedatafromacrossthecountryisanyindication,NewJerseymayalsoseeariseintraf icfatalitiesduetospeed.
COVID‐19SlashestheNumberofCarCrashesButFatalityRatesRise
Page 14 — September 2020 — The Middlesex Advocate
87 Bayard Street New Brunswick, NJ 08901