Archive for category On My Mind
Taking America for Granted
Posted by Chris in On My Mind on August 17th, 2010
This morning I awoke to a story in the New York Times about a young couple stoned to death in Afghanistan. The couple was condemned to death by the Taliban for eloping by more than 100 men who lived in the town where the couple grew up. As I shuddered imagining the scene of this gruesome act, I was reminded once again of how fortunate we are here in America. For most of us, we are here by a pure twist of fate lucky enough to have been born as a result of a struggle for a better life by relatives that came before us. While I thank God for my good fortune, I am saddened by the injustices suffered by many as a result of being deprived of the basic freedoms we often take for granted. May God bless you all my friends, family and neighbors and may we never forget how fortunate we are.

Congratulations to My Friend & Mentor Ronald Motley
Posted by Chris in On My Mind on May 19th, 2010
I am very proud to relate that my friend and mentor Ron Motley has been awarded the American Association for Justice’s most prestigious honor, the Lifetime Achievement Award, in recognition of his pioneering work and continued commitment to the pursuit of justice. AAJ was formerly known as ATLA and is recognized as the Trial Lawyers’ national association.
Through perseverance, creativity and innovation, Ron has saved countless lives, challenged corporate malfeasance, delivered justice and influenced systemic changes throughout our civil justice system, our nation and our world. His unique personality, quick wit, intolerance for defeat and awe-inspiring passion have served as the foundation for the extraordinary contributions that he has made in search of justice, and he has fearlessly served as an international leader whose courage and voice have not only had an incredible impact on the legal profession and our firm but also our society and the individuals to whom he has given a voice.
Ron has tried more cases in more states than any lawyer in the history of the United States. I am ever so proud to call him my friend.

A Tribute to a Friend I Will Never Forget
Posted by Chris in Mesothelioma, On My Mind on November 1st, 2009
Parents are at risk for alcohol served by their children
Posted by Chris in On My Mind on September 27th, 2009
What is your responsibility as a parent if someone is injured as a result of alcohol served by your minor child in your home?
Short Answer: You are responsible for any foreseeable harm for the failure to adequately supervise.
The law in New Jersey is quite clear that parents have a duty to provide for reasonable supervision of their minor child if it is reasonably foreseeable that, in their absence, the child will invite friends to a beer party at which one of the minor guests will become intoxicated and thereby injure himself or others.. See Thompson v. Victor’s Liquor Store, Inc., 216 N.J.Super. 202, 523 A.2d 269 (App.Div.1987) (seller of alcoholic beverage to underage person may be liable for injuries to minor with whom purchaser shared beverage where, while intoxicated by beverage, minor injured himself [635 A.2d 583] by carelessly driving a car into a brick wall). See also Macleary v. Hines, 817 F.2d 1081 (3rd Cir.1987) (host of party where alcoholic beverages consumed may be liable for injuries to minor guest who, as result of becoming intoxicated there, carelessly entered a car being driven by visibly intoxicated person and was injured when driver drove the car into a tree).
The bottom line is that as a parent you need to know what is going on in your house.
Rule number 1: No parties when you are not home.
Rule number 2. You need to know if kids are sneaking alcohol or drugs into your basement.
Rule number 3. You need to have a well known zero tolerance policy.
Supreme Court Justice Albin Approved by Judiciary Committee
Posted by Chris in Community, On My Mind on June 23rd, 2009
Yesterday ,the NJ Senate Judiciary Committee approved the reappointment of NJ Supreme Court , Justice Barry Albin. The vote of 9-4 was along party lines as expected. Justice Albin handled all questions during the hearing with candor, dignity and respect.
During the hearing Justice Albin refused to comment on any case that might bear on future cases coming before him. He was on target in that judgement. Since his appointment to the Supreme Court more than 7 years ago Justice Albin has been one of the most active and dedicated members of the Court. In the last seven years, he has written almost 150 opinions, 89 of them representing the court’s majority decision.
I cant let the moment in history pass without paying tribute to Barry. I am clearly biased as Barry is my former law partner. Justice Albin is one of the most decent human beings I have ever known. He is a principled jurist and human being. Barry is a wonderful father, husband and friend.
Last year, Justice Albin took time out from his busy schedule to address the students at the Colts Neck High School where I am a school board member. His address was inspiring and clearly the product of hours of preparation. I was awe struck to understand that having reached the pinnacle of his career, Justin Albin put this kind of time in to speak with students. He clearly could have winged it and carried the day with his stature, wit and intelligence. Instead he delivered a message that if taken down word for word could have been transcribed and published in a law review. That is who Barry Albin is. A real human being who treats everyone with respect regardless of religion, creed or point of view.
New Jersey is very fortunate to have Justice Albin on our Supreme Court and I am very fortunate to call Barry Albin my friend.

