Gebhardt & Kiefer Donates to United Way’s ‘Tools 4 School’

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

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

Harris J. Chernow

Harris J. Chernow, chair of Reger Rizzo & Darnall’s national franchise and distribution practice group in Mount Laurel, was recently appointed co-chair of the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Franchise Law Committee. The committee establishes a forum where practitioners can meet, network, share information, discuss developments and suggest improvements in franchise law. Chernow over 30 years has developed a national franchise practice representing franchisors, franchisees and distributors of all industries, the firm said. He handles transactions and dispute resolution matters, and his clients include franchisors, single and multi-unit franchisee owners, area developers, master franchisees, franchisee associations, distributors and other businesses, the firm said.

Parker McCay’s Giletto Chairs Rancocas Woods Business Association 

REVITALIZING RANCOCAS WOODS: Shown, a view of the Rancocas Woods business district in Mount Laurel, New Jersey.

Parker McCay announced that partner Mariel Giletto, chair of the corporate law department, will lead a new non-profit, the Rancocas Woods Business Association, which is aimed at revitalizing the Rancocas Woods business district in Mount Laurel, where the firm is based. Lined with historic log cabins, the Village Shops at Rancocas Woods is growing once again, the firm said. The new nonprofit is tasked with transforming Rancocas Woods into a bustling “main street” destination for dining and shopping by bringing businesses owners and neighbors together, the firm said. The community “deserves every opportunity to become the destination for shopping and restaurants in South Jersey,” said Giletto in a statement. “Working together through the Association will allow community members and village business owners to better advocate for the changes and improvements that will lead to the successful revitalization of Rancocas Woods.” Board members include Corrine Giletto (Mariel Giletto’s sister), Matthew Semola, Steve Rush, Lori Poinsett, and Shawn Poinsett. Meetings are to take place once a month at the Creek Cafe & Gourmet Market, 118 Creek Road, Mount Laurel.