Burlington County Bar Association

The air is cool, the days are sunny, then rainy, then sunny again, the trees are in bloom, the daffodils are smiling…it appears that we are having an actual spring this year!  Nice to see spring again, rather than going directly from winter to summer, as had become the custom in these parts.

By the time this issue hits your desk, Law Day will have come and gone.  I hope that you were able to attend the ceremony on May 1 at the courthouse, and enjoyed the program put together by Kevin Walker and his Law Day Committee.  If not, perhaps we saw you at the Law Day Dinner at Indian Spring.  The Law Day Dinner is one of two free dinners offered by the Bar Association.  We are the only Bar Association in New Jersey to offer any free dinners to its members, let alone two.  We do it to encourage as many members as possible to come out, mix and mingle with colleagues, and see who won the Mock Trial Competition and the Schlesinger Scholarship.  These free dinners, and the camaraderie they encourage, are an important part of what makes practicing in Burlington County different and enjoyable.

Please come out to join us for our Diversity Reception at Café Madison on May 9^th.  The event is co-sponsored by the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey, and will give attendees an opportunity to meet and mingle with the leaders of the Specialty Bars of New Jersey.

On Saturday, May 18^th, I hope to see many of you at our Second Annual Run for the Bar 5k and 1 mile fun walk at Kings Grant.  We will be raising money for the Bar Foundation, to be used for scholarships, contributions to local charities, and for the Children’s Holiday Party.  The cost to register is $25, or $30 at the race.  The race starts at 8:30 a.m., so you can finish before 10 and have the rest of the day to celebrate by not watching what you eat!  There will be refreshments, a T-shirt, awards for top overall male and female finishers, and medals for top male and female finishers by age group.  Sign up online at burclobar.org!

May is another busy month for CLE.  On May 8^th, Magistrate Judge Arpert will provide helpful advice for all federal court practitioners, especially those who do not normally appear in federal court.  On May 21^st, the Technology Committee will have a lunch seminar at the Bar Association Headquarters regarding ethics and internet marketing.  There will be a free Domestic Violence Workshop and Training Clinic on May 21^st and May 22^nd to equip volunteers on representing domestic violence victims in court.  On May 23^rd, the Family Law Committee will hold a seminar addressing dividing pensions, life insurance issues, tax tips, and ethical issues for family law practitioners.  On May 29^th, the Personal Injury Sub-Committee will hold a seminar on the use of refreshment vs. impeachment in civil and criminal trials.  On May 30^th, the Commercial Law Subcommittee will hold a seminar on fee shifting in commercial litigation cases.

We want the Burlington Bar Association to be the only place you need to go for CLE credits.  If you already attend five or more of our seminars a year, our CLE passport program is a no-brainer.  For $175, you can attend as many seminars as you wish between June 1 and May 31.  Now is the time to buy one!

My wine pick this week is an Oregon wine with a New Jersey heritage.  At our BCBA-NAWBO networking event at Braddock’s Tavern April 11^th, I had the pleasure of meeting Ralph Catillo, one of the two cousins (and NJ natives) who own the Montebruno Wine Company in Oregon.   I tried the 2009 and 2010 Montebruno Pinot Noir.  Despite being from the Williamette Valley, one of the major regions for New World-style wine, both were excellent examples of old world style pinot noirs.  By this, I mean that it was not a high-alcohol, cabernet-colored fruit bomb, but a delicate balance between acidity, tannins and alcohol, with floral aromas and cherry flavors more in the style of a Burgundy.  You can find it at Wineworks in Marlton and Benash Liquor Store in Cherry Hill.