Raymond Brown Honored by American College of Trial Lawyers

Raymond M. Brown was recognized by the New Jersey Fellows of the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL) with its inaugural Francis X. Dee Award at the college's annual reception and dinner on Feb. 3, 2018, at Rat's Restaurant in Hamilton. The award honors the life and memory of Francis X. Dee, an outstanding trial lawyer and ACTL fellow who devoted himself to the highest standards of the profession. Established in 2017, the award recognizes trial lawyers who have demonstrated outstanding trial and advocacy skills, high ethical and moral standards, exceptional professional conduct, and a true passion and joy for the practice of law, thus enhancing the image of the trial lawyer. “I am truly honored to receive this award from ACTL. All of us greatly respected Frank Dee as a trial lawyer and to receive an award in his name is indeed a distinction. To be the first recipient adds a special responsibility, as would any honor offered by ACTL,” Brown said in a statement. A partner at Greenbaum Rowe Smith & Davis in Woodbridge, Brown concentrates on white collar criminal defense, international human rights issues, internal investigations and complex commercial litigation. He most recently represented U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez as co-counsel in connection with a criminal case brought by the U.S. government, in a highly publicized trial which ended in a hung jury and subsequent mistrial.

Onofri Named Mercer County Bar President

Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri became president of the Mercer County Bar Association for 2018 at its annual officers installation dinner at The Stone Terrace in Hamilton on Jan. 17, 2018. An active member of the MCBA for more than two decades, he served as a trustee for many years before becoming an officer in 2014. During his installation, Onofri announced his focus for 2018, “Mercer County Lawyers Care.” “The members of the MCBA have always been generous, both financially and with their time to a variety of community projects. Our Community Projects Committee has developed an ambitious agenda for this year, and each month there will be opportunities for our members to serve Mercer County, including serving meals at the Trenton Area Soup Kitchen and through Meals on Wheels, helping with a children's picnic at a summer camp, and a Halloween party for senior citizens,” he said. He also announced the “Clean Slate Expungement Project,” scheduled for February. Onofri has served as the Mercer County prosecutor since December 28, 2016. He earned his law degree from the Villanova University School of Law. He is also a graduate of the FBI's Mid-Atlantic Law Enforcement Executive Development Seminar. He is admitted in New Jersey state and federal courts, as well as the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

McKeown Elected to Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity Board

[Photo Credit: Lynn Goodwin.]

Timothy P. McKeown, a partner at Norris McLaughlin & Marcus in Bridgewater, has joined the board of trustees for Raritan Valley Habitat for Humanity. His three-year term began on Nov. 27, 2017. Habitat for Humanity partners with low-income members of the community to help build or improve homes. The organization has built 50 affordable homes in Hunterdon and Somerset counties since its founding 25 years ago, and three houses are currently under construction, according to Habitat. McKeown concentrates on civil and commercial litigation with an emphasis on real estate contract disputes, contractor disputes, construction lien and title issues, foreclosure, partition actions, and access issues under New Jersey environmental statutes. He earned his J.D. from New York Law School and his B.A. from Penn State University.

Greenbaum Rowe Women's Forum 'Hacks' Fear of Public Speaking

FEAR OF PUBLIC SPEAKING TALK: Pictured on the Greenbaum staircase are Eduardo Placer (center and near the top–and the only man) surrounded by attorneys from the firm of Greenbaum Rowe and many of the outside guests who attended the presentation on Jan. 17, 2018, at Greenbaum's Woodbridge office.

On Jan. 17, 2018, the Women's Leadership Forum of Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis hosted an event highlighted by Eduardo Placer, a well-known public speaking coach who lectures internationally for corporations and nonprofit groups. The program was an interactive workshop on the topic of “Hacking The Fear of Public Speaking.” Held at the firm's main office in Woodbridge, the program explored how physical and vocal exercise techniques, combined with a series of mindset hacks, can help manage and alleviate the common fear of speaking in front of an audience.