EWNJ has been in existence for more than 25 years and throughout its history it has attracted a wide range of very influential and powerful women. None more so than the current membership exemplifies. It is a pleasure to introduce members to each other through this column - and if you would like to be profiled, please call Sally Glick at  973-994-9494 or e-mail at sally.glick@sobel-cpa.com. We want to share your story!

This issue is focusing first on introducing Kate Tomlinson, Publisher of New Jersey Monthly. Founded thirty years ago, this magazine has the distinction of being the largest general interest publication in our state. Although it could simply rest on its reputation, Kate nurtures an atmosphere that encourages change and supports the magazine's continuing evolution. The result is that in 1998 they launched Bride and in 2007, the new publication "Park Place," began. In a competitive market like New Jersey, it is always important to be ready to present a new idea, be prepared to meet the changing needs of existing readers or address issues of a newly emerging audience. From Somerset through Montclair, NJ Monthly has a loyal base - and it is proud of the content it provides and the niche it fills for its readers.  

Kate was not always intending to be a publisher though. Her career began in international relations after attending Johns Hopkins School of International Studies. She traveled extensively, mostly within the former "communist bloc" countries and her career was exciting and rewarding. And then she received a call from her father. As the head of the family business and publisher of NJ Monthly, he felt it was his role to give his daughter some sage advice. "Come home" was the basic message to Kate, "after all, you are not getting any younger. If you want to get into the publishing business, now is the time."  Although she did not really take his dire warning to heart, and knowing that her time was indeed NOT running out quite yet, nonetheless, Kate did return to New Jersey where she thought she might spend and year or so at the magazine.  That was twenty years ago! Obviously, Kate fell in love with both the role as publisher and the magazine itself - and the rest is history! 

In addition to her strong personal commitment to philanthropy, the NJ Monthly hosts a program honoring outstanding volunteers in the state. The winners are given a donation for their favorite charity, but even more importantly, the charity receives a good amount of exposure and publicity as a result. If you are interested in nominating someone as an Outstanding Volunteer, visit their website for more details!

We hope you have enjoyed this peek into the world of Kate Tomlinson. Look for her at an EWNJ event, and visit her website at www.njmonthly.com to learn more!

EWNJ Member Spotlight

Our second profile this issue is Kristen Branigan, a self-employed attorney who recently opened the Law Office of Kirsten Scheurer Branigan, P.C. in Newark. It all started during her second year in college when Kirsten was taking a Women's History class and she had an epiphany. She suddenly realized that women have never had legal rights until the modern era. Considering the implications of this, she felt an obligation to learn the law and help others, most especially disenfranchised women. Kirsten went on to law school, graduating with high honors and as a Henry Rutgers scholar. She joined Wilentz Goldman & Spitzer, one of largest and most highly regarded law firms in New Jersey where her experience as an intern for U.S. Magistrate (Federal) Judge Ronald J. Hedges and as a law clerk for the Jersey City Office of the Corporation Counsel, as well as her energy and academic success, served her well.  Throughout her ten years with the firm, Kirsten was recognized as a leader, substantiated by the fact that, for a period of time, she was the only Associate with a role on the Hiring Committee. She also participated in the firm's mentoring program and was an advisor with the firm's Summer Associate Program.  As she grew in stature and experience, Kirsten was eager to become a partner in a law firm. She left Wilentz and became a part-time partner at Fischer, Porter & Thomas (FPT), a Bergen county firm with an office in Englewood Cliffs. This provided her with an exciting opportunity to grow an employment practice. At the same time she was working as an assistant counsel at the Office of the Essex County Counsel and getting more experience in labor and employment cases.

Fortified with the confidence that she had enough experience to open her own practice, Kirsten left FPT to launch her own firm. This enabled her to build her own practice, focus on the cases that had a priority for her and allow her the flexibility to enjoy her young family.  Kirsten opened the firm with 10 clients and grew it to 36 active clients in the first eight months.  Her employment law work has put Kirsten at the forefront of the fight for a fair work environment. She has handled cases where women have been retaliated against for pregnancy and other gender related issues. She has been involved in the public sector handling whistleblower cases dealing with fraud and corruption.  Additionally, she has been asked to review severance and employment contracts and has helped companies develop policies, perform internal investigations, and establish effective preventative remedial measures.

Somewhere along the way she also has time to be a wife and mom. And beyond that, Kirsten is a member of the Women's Political Caucus of NJ, the Essex County Democratic Women's Caucus and Women in the Profession section of the NJ State Bar Association along with numerous professional organizations for labor attorneys.  Most significantly of all, she has almost single handedly rejuvenated the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association, taking it from a group that had dwindled to less than ten members to a thriving organization with well over 275 members today. We are also thrilled to have Kirsten as EWNJ's Bylaws committee chair.

In a recent training session at Sobel & Co., Corby O'Connor shared some wonderful tips and insights about good business etiquette - especially focused on dining tips.  With so much business being conducted during meals, it seems especially useful to share some of her suggestions here:

• When eating a roll, break it into small bite size pieces, do not try to eat it whole or even break it in half.
• Cut your food into bite size pieces to make it easier to eat and swallow.
• Never use your napkin for anything except wiping your mouth - especially not for blowing your nose
• If you have to leave the table during a meal, do not put your napkin on the table or in your plate.  Fold it and place it on the seat or on the back of your chair.
• Your napkin should not be tied around your neck or tucked into your collar. Your napkin should always be on your lap - unless you are specifically eating something like lobster or crab where the restaurant has provided "bibs."
• Your bread plate is to your left - your liquids (water, wine, etc.) will be on your right. If the guest to your left uses your bread plate in error, do not use the bread plate of the guest on your right as a substitute. Simply do not have bread, or place a roll on your own dinner plate.  
• If someone asks for the salt or pepper, pass both together. They should not be separated on the table.
• When passing a basket of rolls, take the basket from the center of the table, hold it and offer it to the person on your right, then take one yourself and pass the basket to your left.

While remembering the appropriate etiquette can seem overwhelming, the key is to just exercise common sense and politeness. Even if you have passed the rolls counter clockwise instead of clockwise, no one will know the difference as long as you have been polite enough to offer rolls to those around you. The basis of good etiquette is to make others comfortable with you - to make people want to be in your presence. Talking with your mouth full, slurping food, placing your phone or keys on the table, all of these demonstrate poor judgment. If you treat others around you with respect and consideration, you will have mastered the key functions even if you do not have all the rules memorized. Other suggestions from Corby - always offer a firm but not bone breaking handshake, look people in the eye, be sincere, smile and be gracious to all.

Corby O'Connor is an etiquette consultant and can be reached at 973-226-8044.              
    

Any ideas - something we have missed?  Please contact Sally Glick at 973-994-9494 or via e-mail at sally.glick@sobel-cpa.com so that we can continue to make this member newsletter a valued communication tool for everyone.