Category: News

Timothy McGoughran, Esq., and John F. DeBartolo, Esq. speak on Doctors, Divorce, and Health Law at the NJSBA 2025 Annual Meeting in Atlantic City

On May 14, 2025, Mr. McGoughran and Mr. DeBartolo had the opportunity to speak on the “Doctors, Divorce and Health Law-Danger Zone” panel at the NJSBA 2025 Annual Meeting in Atlantic City. This panel addressed concerns for family lawyers when representing doctors and other health professionals. Some topics included HIPAA and access to records of children and spouses in divorce and child custody matters; valuation/goodwill issues; corporate practice restrictions (e.g., restrictions on ownership by non-licensed spouse); active practice restrictions in facility ownership documents; confidentiality/reputation issues; reporting obligations to professional boards.


Timothy F. McGoughran, Esq. at the Bail Reform Panel Discussion at NJSBA Annual Meeting & Convention, held at the Borgata Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, NJ, May 15, 2025.

New Jersey has long been a national leader in smart and data-driven justice reform that protects the public, our Constitutional rights, and ensures fairness. New Jersey is considering changes that affect attorneys, including pretrial, sentencing, mandatory minimums, and parole reform. Much of this work has been led by the New Jersey Criminal Sentencing and Disposition Commission, with input from law enforcement leaders, and national and state advocates. This panel of experts discusses the specific pending justice reform initiatives, and what is possible in 2025. Our very own, Timothy F. McGoughran, Esq., had the opportunity to moderate this panel and discuss what justice reform for New Jersey will look like in 2025 and beyond. 


John F. DeBarolo, Esq. moderates a panel at the NJSBA Family Law Symposium on Education Advocacy for Family Lawyers

John F. DeBartolo has moderated the Friday night panel at the Annual New Jersey State Bar Family Law Symposium for over 20 years! The topic of conversation this year was education advocacy for family law attorneys. Family lawyers, especially those dealing with cases that involve child custody and placement, may need to advocate for their client’s educational needs. This can include ensuring a child’s stability amidst family tranistions, advocating for appropriate special education services if needed, and understanding the impact of school placement decisions on a child’s well-being. Mr. DeBartolo is an expert when it comes to family law and was able to ask all the right questions at this panel to stimulate the minds of the hundreds of New Jersey lawyers and legal professionals who attended. The topics over the years have included parental contribution to college expenses, the impact of retirement on alimony, and factors to be considered and emphasized in the calculation of the appropriate amounts of alimony and child support.


Timothy F. McGoughran, Esq. speaks on Bankruptcy at the NJSBA 2025 Family Law Symposium

On January 25, 2025, Timothy F. McGoughran, Esq., speaks to over 700 attorneys at the New Jersey State Bar Association’s 2025 Family Law Executive Committee Symposium. He and the panel discussed divorce and bankruptcy, specifically how spouses and their attorneys navigate these separate and complex areas of law, and the impact of bankruptcy on divorce proceedings in New Jersey. To read more about Mr. McGoughran’s discussion on bankruptcy and divorce please read his article here!


Timothy F. McGoughran, Esq., President of the New Jersey State Bar Association, speaks at the NJSBA 2024 Family Law Symposium

On Saturday, January 26, 2024, Timothy F. McGoughran, Esq., President of the New Jersey State Bar Association, discussed effective trial techniques and strategies for preparing for trial, settling on the eve of trial, and being on your feet at trial. Mr. McGoughran spoke to the different aspects of trial preparation such as, preparing witnesses, trial briefs and exhibits, opening and closing statements, direct and cross examination, creating a theory of the case, and preparing for and attending one last intensive mediation session on the eve of trial. He also spoke on how attorneys can be effective advocates for their clients and building respect and credibility from the Court. Pictured with Mr. McGoughran is part of our wonderful staff. John F. DeBartolo, Esq., Dave Scott Mack, Esq. and Yessenia Gonzalez, Esq.


Governor Murphy visits President McGoughran at the NJSBA Law Center

On November 17, 2023, Mr. McGoughran, President of the New Jersey State Bar Association, had the privilege of joining Governor Murphy, representatives from the NJSBA Labor and Employment Law Section, and the National Labor Relations Board at the 45th Annual NLRB Labor Law Conference. The Governor delivered an informative speech in which there were discussions regarding the most recent NLRB developments, artificial intelligence, and its future.


Daniel’s Law Panel on Sept. 12

Mr. McGoughran is honored to participate in an uncoming panel discussion alongside Ret. Judge Julio Mendez, U.S. District Judge Esther Salas and Christine Campbell. The focus of this panel focuses on New Jersey’s Implementation of Daniel’s Law which attempts to shield judges, court personnel and law enforcement from threats or violence. This panel is scheduled to take place on Septemeber 12, 2023, at 2:30 p.m. at Stockton University.

“The 90-minute event — “Daniel’s Law: How New Jersey Protects Its Judicial System – And Why Those Who Are Covered Should Embrace It” — is free and open to the public. The forum is sponsored by the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton, and it will be held in person at Stockton’s Campus Center Theatre.

In July 2020, an assailant armed with a gun went to the New Jersey home of U.S. District Court Judge Esther Salas. The gunman opened fire when the door was answered, seriously injuring Salas’ husband, Mark Anderl, and killing their son, Daniel, 20. State and federal laws named after Daniel have since been passed prohibiting the publication of addresses and personal information of judges and other court personnel to thwart would-be attackers.

However, only about half of the people covered by the state Daniel’s Law have taken advantage of its protections, according to state data. Judge Salas has become a national advocate for protecting judges, prosecutors and police because an independent judiciary free of intimidation is vital to democracy.

On Sept. 12, panelists will discuss how the law works, why more who are covered have not taken advantage of it and why threats against the judiciary pose an urgent problem for society. Of interest to the legal community will be a demonstration of how to register for Daniel’s Law protections.”

The Daniel Law’s panel on September 12th will be live-streamed on the Hughes Center home page. www.stockton.edu/hughescenter


McGoughran attends the signing of Senate Bill 1517

Mr. McGoughran was honored to attend the signing of Senate Bill 1517. This bill marks a significant step forward as it allows for the issuance of protective orders in cases where domestic violence statutes do not apply due to the absence of familial or dating relationships between the victim and the offending actor. Specifically, the bill offers greater protection to individuals who have been victimized through abusive behavior, regardless of any prior or current relationship status with the alleged actor. Moreover, as part of its provisions, this bill amends the “Sexual Assault Survivor Protection Act of 2015” (SASPA) to the “Victim’s Assistance and Survivor Protection Act,” which protects all victims of abusive behavior and expands the list of prohibited acts that qualify a victim to receive a protective order from an abuser to include stalking and cyber-harassment.

Once again, New Jersey strengthens its legislation against domestic or other violence. The #NJSBA supported this bill and helped the sponsors with the tailoring of the bill with testimony by Derek Freed, immediate past chair of the NJSBA Family Law Section.