Monmouth Vicinage to Celebrate Law Day 2025

The Monmouth Vicinage, in partnership with the Monmouth Bar Association, will celebrate Law Day by hosting several events in May. This year’s national theme is “The Constitution’s Promise: Out of Many, One.” 

The vicinage will unveil the portrait of retired Superior Court Judge David F. Bauman on Thursday, May 1 at 4 p.m. at the Monmouth County Courthouse, 71 Monument Park, Freehold. Judge Bauman, who began his judicial career in 2008 and served in all four divisions of the Superior Court during his 16 years on the bench before his retirement last year.

Also on May 1, the Monmouth Bar Association will present the Abraham Zager Award for Professionalism to attorney Thomas J. Smith III. The award is given to a member of the association who has demonstrated excellence in adherence to professional standards of practice, competence, civility and integrity.

Students from throughout the county have been invited to attend a Law Day symposium highlighting jury service on Thursday, May 29 at 10 a.m. at the Monmouth County Courthouse. 

The symposium will feature remarks from Assignment Judge Marc C. Lemieux and a presentation by vicinage Jury Manager Francesca Dannunzio. Criminal Division Presiding Judge Jill O’Malley and members of the criminal division will hold a panel discussion and mock trial focusing on the attorney-conducted voir dire process.

Judge Lemieux, along with Lester W. Richens, Monmouth County interim executive county superintendent of schools, will speak and present awards to the student winners of the vicinage’s Law Day art, essay, and poetry contests on May 29 at 4 p.m. at the Monmouth County Courthouse. The Daniel J. O’Hern Mock Trial Award will be presented to this year’s winner.

Judge Lemieux said the public can celebrate Law Day by “taking part in our events that honor the rule of law and the unity it brings to our diverse nation. This year’s theme reminds us that while we come from different backgrounds, beliefs and experiences, our shared commitment to justice and democracy binds us together. These events offer a meaningful opportunity to reflect, learn and connect.”

The Law Day symposium and the awards ceremony are cosponsored by the Monmouth Bar Association and the New Jersey State Bar Foundation and are made possible with funding from the IOLTA Fund of the state bar foundation. 

For information on any of the 2025 Law Day celebration events, contact the Monmouth Vicinage Ombudsman’s Office at 732-358-8700, ext. 87025.