Virginia Long Inn of Court Tackles Bankruptcy, Family Law

The Justice Virginia Long Family Law American Inn of Court hosted its April program on April 12, 2018, at the Culinary Conference Center at Hudson Community College in Jersey City. The program,“When Worlds Collide: Bankruptcy and Its Impact on Domestic Relations and Family Law,” consisted of a two-person panel: U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Rosemary Gambardella and New Jersey Superior Court Judge Daniel Yablonsky. The program explored the interplay between federal bankruptcy and a state divorce. The panel discussed: whether a divorce proceeding can continue once a spouse files for bankruptcy; what an automatic stay is and how it affects the divorce case; what marital property becomes property of the bankruptcy estate; what the effect of bankruptcy is on equitable distribution and on settlement agreements; and what marital debts are dischargeable in bankruptcy. Inn Barrister Nicole Palmieri, of Legal Services of New Jersey, presided as the program's moderator.

Chiesa Shahinian Volunteers on Earth Day

In celebration of Earth Day 2018, Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi's environmental group volunteered on April 20, 2018, at the Great Swamp Watershed Association's Conservation Management Area in Harding Township.

Brach Eichler Does 100 Charitable Endeavors in 50th Year

Roseland-based Brach Eichler announced that more than 70 attorneys and staff participated in upwards of 100 charitable and volunteer endeavors during the firm's 50th anniversary year, as part of its year-long celebration and “50 Years, 50 Acts” service campaign, which kicked off in April 2017.

Managing partner John Fanburg said the firm has “long embraced the importance of serving our communities. A year ago, we set out to commit our time and talent in 50 different ways to charities to mark our golden anniversary, and I am so proud that attorneys and staff alike took this initiative so much further. It really speaks to our core values and the kind of people that comprise this very special firm.”

As part of the program, Brach Eichler employees identified causes, charities, and civic endeavors that mattered most to them, to which the firm donated money, goods, and paid time off for volunteering. Among the organizations served are: Eva's Village, Mt. Pleasant Animal Shelter, American Heart Association, Dress for Success, The Market Street Mission, Community Food Bank of New Jersey, Habitat for Humanity, and Together We Rise.

Aquilio Joins ABA Appellate Practice Journal Board of Editors

Rita Aquilio
[Photo Credit: Photos by Lynn Goodwin.]

Rita M. Aquilio, a partner at Norris McLaughlin & Marcus in Bridgewater, has joined the board of editors for the American Bar Association Section of Litigation's Appellate Practice Journal, effective with its Spring 2018 edition. The Journal publishes a quarterly e-newsletter, focused exclusively on appellate law. The Appellate Practice Committee monitors current developments in case law, proposed amendments to procedural rules, and proposals for legislation to create informative programs on the appellate process. Aquilio practices in the areas of divorce, child support, custody, and post-judgment issues. She is a trained collaborative divorce attorney and is active with bar associations, including as a committee chair. She earned her J.D. from Western New England College School of Law, and her B.A., cum laude, from Drew University.