Hunterdon Bar Installs 2019-20 Officers

At the Hunterdon County Bar Association's annual installation dinner on Sept. 17 at the Beaver Brook Country Club in Annandale, Anthony Koester was sworn in as president by Judge Thomas C. Miller, presiding civil judge for the Superior Court's Somerset/Hunterdon/Warren vicinage. Koester is a partner with Dilts & Koester in Flemington handling business and commercial transactions, civil litigation (including real estate, commercial, employment and construction matters), land use, real estate and estate planning. He received his J.D. from Albany Law School of Union University, where he was the director of the moot court board, a member of the Order of the Barristers and recipient of the Dean Barker Award. Other officers and trustees installed at the dinner included Peter A. Marra, president elect; Scott M. Wilhelm, vice president; Patrick Heller, treasurer; Lisa H. Browning, secretary; and the following Trustees: immediate past president Kasia Zielinski, Mary Ann Bauer, Michelle Cresti, Diana N. Fredericks, John H. Rittley, Dawn Solari and Therese Thompson. Also during the dinner, Sharon B. Ransavage was honored for her conduct, character and commitment to the profession and her clients through the 2019 "Professionalism Award." And Charles E. Ray was honored as the recipient of the first annual "Rising Star Award" for his contribution to the Hunterdon County legal community, including volunteerism, and achieving recognition as a practitioner. The dinner also included the presentation of the "Patricia Critelli Scholarship" to paralegal student Maria Herwig.

Gebhardt & Kiefer Donates to Therapeutic Riding Center

MAKING HAY: Tootsie the horse is about to enjoy some of the 135 bales of second-cutting hay donated to Riding with Heart by Gebhardt & Kiefer Law Offices. Shown, left to right: Tootsie the horse, Carla Harbourt (Riding with Heart program manager), Jake Papay (Gebhardt & Kiefer partner), and Mark Chazin (Gebhardt & Kiefer president) on September 19, 2019, at Riding with Heart in Pittstown, NJ.

In celebration of its 135th anniversary, Gebhardt & Kiefer made the ninth contribution in its year-long initiative of giving back to the local community by donating 135 bales of second-cutting hay to Riding with Heart in Pittstown. Firm president Mark Chazin and partner Jake Papay presented the bales to Riding with Heart program manager Carla Harbourt on Sept. 19. The donation will help to feed the organization's 11 horses, and, according to Harbourt, the second-cutting hay is especially ideal for the older horses, due to its softer texture, the firm's release noted. Riding with Heart is an equine-assisted therapeutic riding center for riders with physical, emotional or developmental special needs. The center offers adaptive therapeutic riding, hippotherapy, and equine-assisted learning, as well as a social skills program for children with autism and learning disabilities, the release said.

Young Lawyers of NJSBA Family Section Hold Kickoff Event

YOUNG LAWYERS KICK-OFF: Young Lawyer Section members on Sept. 19, 2019 at the AR Workshop in Westfield.

The Young Lawyer Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association's Family Law Section had their kickoff event on Sept. 19 at the AR Workshop in Westfield, sponsored by Len and Cindy Rossine of Caliber Home Loans, according to a release. The 30 lawyers in attendance used their creative talents to make art projects.