Construction law expert Richard H. Steen, a Lawrenceville resident and Princeton attorney, took the oath of office as president of the New Jersey State Bar Association last month. He began his term at the Association's Annual Meeting and Convention at Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City.
He also serves as trustee for the New Jersey State Bar Foundation, the NJSBA's philanthropic arm.
The 60-year-old Lawrenceville resident is known for an even-keeled and thoughtful approach to handling a crisis. Among the issues he plans to focus on during his term as president are fostering diversity in the association's leadership and the profession and helping attorneys survive in the difficult economy.
"I am proud to be a lawyer and especially proud to be able to lead the association in the coming year. The challenges lawyers face due to the economic downturn are still very much with us. This bar association will continue to address the effects of new technology, alternate billing arrangements and other issues that are bringing fundamental changes to the practice," said Steen. "It is an exciting time to be leading the association as we help our colleagues in the profession navigate these changes to enhance their practice and the legal services they can provide."
Steen has been a member of the NJSBA for over 30 years and served on the board of trustees from 1998 to 2004. He is the founding chair of the association's Dispute Resolution Section and received the ADR Practitioner of the Year Award from the section in 1998-1999.
He was recognized with the Distinguished Legislative Service Award of the New Jersey State Bar Association in July 2002 for his efforts in drafting the Revised Uniform Arbitration Act, which was signed into law in July 2003. A noted author and lecturer, Steen received the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education Distinguished Service Award in 2006.
He has over 25 years of experience in all aspects of construction law and the resolution of complex construction disputes.
Active within his community, Mr. Steen is a member of the Lawrence Township Municipal Court Mediation Committee and is a deacon/former president, trustee and elder of the Lawrenceville Presbyterian Church.
A graduate of Seton Hall University School of Law, Mr. Steen was a founding director of the Seton Hall Legislative Bureau and the first editor-in-chief of the Seton Hall Legislative Journal. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in commerce and engineering sciences from Drexel University. His law firm, Richard H. Steen, LLC, is located in Princeton, New Jersey.