Partner Amanda S. Trigg to Attend AAML SoCal Trial Institute in San Diego
We are pleased to announce that Amanda S. Trigg, Partner in our Family Law Department, will be attending the 34th Annual AAML Southern California Trial Institute from January 16–19, 2026, in San Diego, CA. This premier event, hosted by the Southern California Chapter of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), brings together highly experienced family law practitioners for advanced trial advocacy training, continuing legal education, and professional collaboration.
The AAML SoCal Trial Institute offers intensive sessions on trial skills, substantive developments in family law, and opportunities for seasoned litigators to refine courtroom strategies and share insights with respected peers.
Why It Matters
Participation in this event underscores our firm’s commitment to excellence in advocacy and to bringing the most current and effective legal tools to every client matter. Amanda’s attendance will further enhance our capabilities in handling complex family law disputes and strengthen our engagement with the national family law community, benefiting both our clients and colleagues through shared expertise and advanced practice skills.
With over 30 years of experience in all phases of family law, Amanda is a recognized leader in the field. She is certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Matrimonial Law Attorney, serves as a Vice President of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers, and has held leadership roles in professional associations including the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Family Law Section. Her practice encompasses complex litigation, arbitration, mediation, and high-stakes family law matters where her deep experience serves clients with precision and care.
Interested in learning more or attending? Visit the AAML SoCal Trial Institute event page: https://www.aamlsocaltrialinstitute.com/aamlsocaltrialinstitute.com
Cohn Lifland’s Jacqueline N. Larsen to Attend International Family Law Conference in Philadelphia
We are pleased to announce that Jackie Larsen, Associate in our Family Law Department, will be attending the USA Chapter Introduction to International Family Law Conference on January 16–17, 2026, in Philadelphia, PA. This distinguished event is hosted by the International Academy of Family Lawyers (IAFL) and offers an in-depth review of key issues in international family law, including jurisdictional challenges, cross-border asset division, and international service of process.
About IAFL
The IAFL is a global association of highly experienced family law practitioners dedicated to advancing excellence in family law practice worldwide. Conferences like this bring together legal professionals to discuss evolving trends, share insights, and build collaborative relationships that strengthen our collective ability to serve clients facing complex international legal issues.
Why It Matters
Attending this conference will allow Jackie to deepen her knowledge of international legal frameworks, learn best practices from leading practitioners, and bring back valuable perspectives that will benefit our clients — especially those dealing with cross-border family law matters. It also supports our firm’s commitment to continuous professional growth and collaboration within the legal community.
Jackie brings a strong background in family law to this event. Since joining Cohn Lifland in 2020, she has focused her practice on matters involving custody, equitable distribution, support, and related family law issues. Prior to joining the firm, she served as a Judicial Law Clerk in the Family Part, gaining first-hand experience in the judicial handling of sensitive matrimonial matters. She has also been recognized on the New Jersey Super Lawyers Rising Stars list for her work in family law.
Interested in attending or learning more? Visit the IAFL event page: https://www.iafl.com/events/events/usa-chapter-introduction-to-international-family-law-conference-philadelphia/
Cohn Lifland Secures Precedential Win in OPMA Case
Cohn Lifland Pearlman Herrmann & Knopf LLP is proud to announce that the New Jersey Appellate Division has affirmed—through a published opinion—our firm’s victory on behalf of plaintiff Michele Arminio in Arminio v. Monroe Township Board of Education, Docket No. A-0207-24, thanks to the exceptional representation of our own Walter M. Luers, Esq. and Christina N. Stripp, Esq. The decision, released on November 24, 2025, is approved for publication, making it precedential and an important contribution to New Jersey Open Public Meetings Act (OPMA) jurisprudence.
How the Case Reached the Appellate Division
This matter began after the Monroe Township Board of Education filled a vacant board seat following discussions held entirely in closed session. Represented by Mr. Luers, Ms. Arminio challenged the Board’s actions as violating the OPMA by deliberating and effectively deciding the outcome outside the public eye. The trial court agreed and voided the appointment.
The Board appealed, and Cohn Lifland attorneys Walter Luers and Christina Stripp successfully defended the ruling before the Appellate Division. In its published decision, the appellate court affirmed the trial court’s judgment (as modified) and held that while a board may discuss certain personnel matters privately, it must still provide meaningful public transparency before taking action on filling an elected office vacancy. The court emphasized the public’s right to witness and comment on government decision-making and reaffirmed New Jersey’s strong commitment to open governance.
A Landmark Ruling in New Jersey
This is a significant victory not only for our client, but also for open government advocates across the state. A published opinion provides statewide guidance for school boards and public bodies on how to comply with the OPMA when filling vacancies.
We congratulate Walter Luers and Christina Stripp for their exceptional advocacy at both the trial and appellate levels.
Cohn Lifland Attorneys Volunteer for National Adoption Day
Cohn Lifland is proud to share that two of our Family Law attorneys, Erika Piccirillo and Amanda Trigg, will be volunteering their time on November 21st to handle final adoption hearings as part of National Adoption Day, an annual event in which courts and communities in all 50 states join to finalize thousands of adoptions and celebrate families who adopt.
About National Adoption Day
National Adoption Day brings together courts, attorneys, and community partners across the country to finalize adoptions for children in foster care and raise awareness about the thousands of children still waiting for permanent homes. While not sponsored by any single organization, it is supported by a national coalition and carried out through coordinated local and statewide efforts.
In New Jersey, courts and volunteers come together each year to streamline final hearings, celebrate newly formed families, and highlight the continuing need for permanent placements. The day is both practical and symbolic—families complete one of the most significant legal steps of their lives, and communities are reminded of the importance of stability, belonging, and access to justice for children. What happens in a single morning of hearings reflects months or years of persistence, hope, and advocacy, making National Adoption Day one of the most meaningful events on the family court calendar.
Why It Matters
Erika and Amanda are honored to contribute to this important day by helping families complete one of the most meaningful legal milestones of their lives. Their hands-on work with families in these deeply meaningful moments strengthens the insight and compassion they bring to every client. And their volunteer work reflects Cohn Lifland’s longstanding commitment to families, children, and access to justice.
We celebrate all of the families who will be finalized on November 21st and are grateful to play a small role in such a joyful moment through the exemplary work of our team.
Cohn Lifland Helps Shape the 2025 NJ Personal Injury Litigation Guide
The 2025 (19th Edition) LexisNexis Practice Guide to New Jersey Personal Injury Litigation, released earlier this year, once again highlights the experience and influence of Cohn Lifland attorneys in shaping New Jersey’s legal landscape.
We are proud to share that Partner Audra DePaolo served as General Editor and contributing author alongside a distinguished panel of leading practitioners. The 2025 edition offers deep, practice-ready insights, blending authoritative legal analysis with practical strategies drawn from decades of collective experience.
Why This Matters
The LexisNexis Practice Guide is widely regarded as one of New Jersey’s most trusted authorities on personal injury litigation. Legal professionals rely on it for its clear guidance, strategic frameworks, and practical tools for handling claims from inception through trial and appeal. Contributing to such a resource requires not only deep subject-matter expertise, but also the ability to distill complex legal doctrines into usable, real-world strategies.
In this way, Audra and our team continue to help shape how practitioners across the state analyze negligence claims, evaluate liability, approach discovery, and advocate for injured clients. This edition highlights Cohn Lifland’s long-standing commitment to thought leadership, excellence in litigation, and unwavering advocacy for victims of negligence.
About Audra DePaolo
Audra concentrates her practice on civil litigation and appeals, and is an active member of the New Jersey State Bar Association, Bergen County Bar Association, and the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey.
Learn more about how our team advocates for victims of negligence 👇
Cohn Lifland Attorneys to Speak at NJSBA’s Post-Judgment Family Law Program
Cohn Lifland Attorneys to Speak at NJSBA’s Post-Judgment Family Law Program
Cohn Lifland is proud to announce that two of our Family Law practitioners, Jeffrey Fiorello and Jacqueline N. Larsen, have been selected as speakers for the New Jersey State Bar Association’s upcoming program, “The Fab Four and Lepis – Hot Tips for Navigating the Many Areas of Post-Judgment Family Law Practice.”
This program will focus on some of the most challenging aspects of post-judgment family law, including modification applications, cohabitation issues, retirement, custody disputes, and other matters that frequently arise long after a divorce judgment has been entered.
Serving Clients Through Ongoing Professional Leadership
Both Jeff and Jackie bring deep experience in the nuances of post-judgment practice:
Jeffrey Fiorello has practiced family law for more than 25 years and focuses on mediation, custody and parenting-time matters, support issues, and equitable distribution. His longstanding involvement in bar associations and ADR panels underscores his commitment to constructive, client-centered solutions.
Jacqueline Larsen draws on her background as a Judicial Law Clerk in the Family Part and her experience litigating a wide range of matrimonial matters. Her work spans custody disputes, support applications, post-judgment enforcement, and mediation.
Why This Matters for Our Clients
Post-judgment matters are often the most complex and high-stakes issues families face. By contributing as speakers at statewide CLE programs, our attorneys stay immersed in emerging trends, judicial expectations, and practical strategies that strengthen our advocacy.
The NJSBA’s selection of Jeff and Jackie for this panel reflects Cohn Lifland’s continuing leadership within the family-law community and reinforces our commitment to providing clients with informed, forward-thinking representation.
Cohn Lifland Attends WLIB Judicial Reception
Cohn Lifland is proud to have been represented by several of our team members at the Women Lawyers in Bergen (WLIB) Judicial Reception, honoring recently appointed female judges.
By actively engaging in professional organizations like WLIB, our attorneys build meaningful relationships with colleagues and members of the judiciary—connections that ultimately enhance our ability to advocate for and serve our clients with insight, collaboration, and excellence.
We applaud WLIB for continuing to advance opportunities for women in the legal profession and to celebrate those who have paved the way for greater representation on the bench.
Amanda S. Trigg to Attend the 2025 AAML Annual Meeting in Chicago
As a Second Vice President of the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers (AAML), Amanda S. Trigg, Esq. is honored to attend the AAML Board of Directors Meeting and 2025 Annual Meeting in Chicago next week.
This annual gathering—described by AAML as “the quintessential meeting for AAML Fellows,”—brings together hundreds of the nation’s most distinguished matrimonial and family law practitioners for cutting-edge CLE programs, national networking, and in-depth discussions on emerging issues shaping family law today.
What this means for clients:
We look forward to Amanda returning from the conference with renewed insights, refined strategies, and expanded professional resources to serve clients and their families with the highest level of care.
BIG NEWS: We’re proud to share that Jenna Rosenstein has passed the NY Bar Exam!
Jenna has been a tremendous addition to our team, bringing sharp legal analysis, professionalism, and a client-first mindset. Please join us in congratulating Jenna on this major milestone and welcoming her as she begins her practice here at Cohn Lifland.
Congratulations, Jenna! We’re excited for all that’s ahead.
Mercedes Diego Quoted in Homes.com Article: Here's How an Assumable Mortgage Works
We’re proud to share that our very own Mercedes Diego, Esq., a recognized thought leader in real estate law, was recently quoted in a Homes.com article entitled “Here’s How an Assumable Mortgage Works.”
Read the article here: Here's How an Assumable Mortgage Works
Mercedes’ insight highlights her depth of knowledge in real estate matters and her commitment to helping clients navigate complex legal issues with confidence. If you're seeking legal real estate advice, contact Mercedes today.
