Timothy F. McGoughran becomes President of the New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA) for 2023-2024, the state’s largest group of judges, lawyers and legal professionals. Timothy F. McGoughran, a former Trustee, is the 125th President of the Association. New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner swore in Tim McGoughran at the NJSBA’s Annual Meeting and Convention in Atlantic City on May 18, 2023. McGoughran has always enjoyed the camaraderie and networking the NJSBA offers and said he looks forward to working for its members on the Executive Committee. “Being a part of the NJSBA has made me a better lawyer,” he said, “During these difficult times, I am proud of being part of this team at the NJSBA to highlight the relevance of our organization, now more than ever, and providing greater benefits for our members.”
McGoughran’s plans for 2023-2024 as President are exciting and continues the NJSBA’s advocacy on several important issues, including judicial vacancies and working in mental health diversionary programs in the state. Serving as a Municipal Court Judge for 11 years, Mr. McGoughran saw firsthand how substance abuse and mental health issues are among the primary problems in lower-level criminal matters.
McGoughran lives in Ocean Township with his wife, Allison. They have three children: Jay Michael, a lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia; Robert, a lawyer in Washington D.C.; and Morgan, an Assistant Prosecutor in Essex County, New Jersey.
He is a graduate of the University of Pittsburg and Seton Hall University School of Law.
McGoughran served as the NJSBA representative to the New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Municipal Court Operations, Fines and Fees, which in June 2018 issued a comprehensive report with a far-reaching, reform-minded review of the state’s municipal court practices.
McGoughran’s involvement in the organized bar is extensive. He has served as co-chair of the Legislative and Meeting Arrangement and Program committees, chair of the Family Law Section and served with the Military Law and Veterans Affairs Section, as well as the Legal Education Committee.
In addition, he is active with the Monmouth Bar Association, serving as a Trustee for many years, and its President from 2007-2008. He speaks regularly about family law and ethics and served as the moderator of the 2017 Family Law Symposium for the NJSBA, and regularly speaks at the NJSBA Annual Meeting in May each year, the NJSBA Family Law Retreat each year, as well as the Family Law Symposium in January each year.
McGoughran’s involvement in the organized Bar is extensive. He has served as co-chair of the Legislative and Meeting Arrangement and Program committees, chair of the Family Law Section and served with the Military Law and Veterans Affairs Section, as well as the Legal Education Committee.
McGoughran established an Ocean Township law firm that concentrates on handling divorce, estate and family law, real estate, civil matters, adoption, domestic violence, child custody, municipal law and DWI defense matters. He served as Municipal Prosecutor in Ocean Township for over a decade, concluding in 2011. Beginning January 2012, he has been the Municipal Court Judge in Ocean Township, retiring that position January 1, 2023.