After Hours

Gebhardt & Kiefer of Clinton marked its 135th anniversary by donating 135 backpacks filled with school supplies to the United Way of Hunterdon County’s “Tools 4 School” program, the firm announced. Firm staff presented the backpacks to Bonnie Duncan, CEO, and Amy Andersen, volunteer engagement manager for the United Way of Hunterdon County, on Aug. 2. The program provides backpacks and school supplies to Hunterdon County students who need them. Gebhardt & Kiefer throughout the year is making monthly contributions to charitable organizations in increments of 135, the firm said. So far, the firm has donated cleaning supplies to Fisherman’s Mark Food Pantry in Lambertville; diapers to the United Way of Hunterdon County’s Diaper Bank; and pet care items to the St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center, among other donations.

Sostowski Takes Helm of National Association of Women Lawyers

Kristin D. Sostowski, an employment and labor law partner and higher education team leader at Gibbons in Newark, was inducted as president of the National Association of Women Lawyers at its annual meeting and awards luncheon on July 18 at the Grand Hyatt New York. Sostowski has been active in NAWL for more than a decade, the firm said. She received the organization’s “Virginia S. Mueller Outstanding Member Award” in 2010 and has served as a member of its executive board since 2011. Her charge as president is to help develop, implement, and support research and programming to address  the organization’s missions. In her induction speech, Sostowski noted that this year marks the 100th anniversary of women’s suffrage, and reflected on the progress American women have made–and how much remains to be done, the firm said in its release: “As NAWL’s founders have taught us, we can truly advance in this profession only when we achieve broader equality, and we must not rest until we do.” Sostowski has been a trustee of the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association since 2008. She co-founded and leads the firm’s higher education team, which provides advice, counsel, training and litigation services for public and independent institutions. She is also a fellow of the American Bar Foundation.

Reger Rizzo Partner Chernow Appointed Co-Chair of NJSBA’s Franchise Law Committee