Paula Menar to Receive
2011 Martin S. Goldin Family Law Award

The 2011 winner of the Martin S. Goldin Family Law Award is Paula Menar, Esq., of Menar & Menar in New Brunswick. Paula will be presented with the award at the Association’s Annual Family Law Dinner Meeting, to be held on January 19, 2011 at The Pines Manor in Edison.

In 2002, the Middlesex County Bar Association mourned the loss of Martin S. Goldin. “Marty” was the longtime Chair of the Family Law Section. Marty was universally regarded as a fair and reasonable adversary and was renowned for his good nature, collegiality and genuine respect for all members of the bench and bar.

In February 2003, the Family Law Section announced the establishment of the Annual Martin S. Goldin Family Law Award, to be presented each year to a Family Law Practitioner who has been engaged in the practice for 15 years or less and exemplifies those principles by which Marty practiced family law, including: a continuous study of past and present case law; careful and detailed analysis of each case; presentation of the issues and applicable law to clients in a readily understandable manner; attempting to settle issues on a fair and reasonable basis before resorting to litigation; fostering respect and courtesy for the bench and bar; maintaining high standards of integrity and professionalism, and exhibiting leadership in the County or State Bar Association.

Paula epitomized the qualities in a lawyer that were especially important to Marty. She is a conscientious advocate for her clients and expresses genuine concern that she serve them well in her efforts to resolve their issues. Her dealings with her adversaries are cordial, and she is fair and reasonable in her settlement negotiations. In meetings with her colleagues, she frequently reminds those colleagues of the necessity of fairness and equality in the legal process regardless of the economic situation of the parties.

Paula was born in Punta Arenas, Chile, and lived there until she was 17 years old at which time she emigrated from Chile to the United States with her family. Paula attended high school in Dumont, NJ, learning to read and write English as a second language.

Paula is grateful to her high school teachers who volunteered their time after school to teach her to read and write English and to prepare her to attend college one year later. Paula received her BS degree as a Political Science major with a minor in Pre-Law from Montclair State University. She received her JD from Brooklyn Law School in 2000, and was admitted to the New Jersey Bar in 2001 and to the New York Bar approximately three years later.

After four years as an associate with Garces & Grabler, Paula opened her solo practice in New Brunswick in May, 2004. Her brother Raul Menar joined her in practice in 2007, and the firm became known as Menar & Menar Attorneys At Law. Paula acknowledges the importance of the professional and personal support she receives from Raul. Her practice is primarily in the area of Family Law, although she also appears in Municipal Court matters.

Paula is a member of the Middlesex County Bar Association, the New Jersey State Bar Association and the Family Law Section of both organizations. She has served as a panelist on the Early Settlement Program since 2006, and she has been a member of the Assignment Judge’s Family Law Practice committee since 2006. In 2010 she became a member of the Fee Arbitration Committee after serving on the Ethics Committee from 2006 to September 2010.

Paula and her husband Kevin Nohilly reside in Manalapan with their young children, Gabriella and Lucas.

Past winners of the award are Daniel Brown in 2010, Lisa Vignuolo in 2009, Gregg Rubenstein in 2008, Steven Enis in 2007, Frank Tournour in 2006, Cheryl Spilka in 2005, Lee Ann McCabe in 2004 and Robert M. Zaleski in 2003.

Source: http://www.mcbalaw.com/displaycommon.cfm?an=1&subarticlenbr=78