Draft:Marguerite M. Schaffer

Introduction:

Marguerite M. Schaffer, often referred to as Peg Schaffer, was born on November 14, 1948 in Newark, New Jersey. She was admitted to the New Jersey State Bar Association In 1975, and has since accumulated forty years of experience representing public entities. Schaffer currently is the President and Managing Principal at Shain Schaffer PC, located in Bernardsville NJ. She specializes in commercial litigation, land use, real estate, and banking law and has won numerous cases for her clients.

Education:

Ms. Schaffer graduated with her Bachelor of Arts degree in English and Philosophy at the University of Dayton in 1970. In 1975 Schaffer received her law degree with distinction from Seton Hall University and served as the editor of the school's legislative paper. Schaffer also holds a Teacher’s certificate in Secondary English from the state of New Jersey. In 2015, Schaffer received a NITA diploma in the Art of Trial Skills. NITA stands for the National Industrial Training Authority and signifies Ms. Schaffer’s refined knowledge of courtroom procedure and trial advocacy.

Work Experience:

Out of college Ms. Schaffer began work as the Assistant Counsel and Municipal Prosecutor of the city of East Orange NJ. She served in this role from 1978 to 1980 before moving up the ranks and becoming Counsel and secretary to the Board of Adjustment as well as Counsel for the planning Board for the City of East Orange NJ (1982-1986). From 1984-1986 Schaffer also served as Counsel to the ABC board also for East Orange. During this time Ms. Schaffer also served as an Adjunct Professor at both Seton Hall Law School (1981-1983) and Fairleigh Dickinson University (1985-1986). From 1982-1990 Schaffer sat on the Board of Directors for Mountain Ridge State Bank offering legal counsel. Currently Ms. Shaffer serves as Borough Counsel for Lake Como and Bradley beach, as well as the Township Counsel for Monroe Township in Middlesex county NJ. Some of Shaffers most notable work in her current position include the successful defense of a township's age-restricting housing ordinance. In this case, Monroe Township Was challenged under the Americans with Disability Act and the U.S. Constitution. Another significant case for Schaffer occurred when Monroe’s Tree Preservation Ordinance was challenged by the Jersey Builders Association, however Schaffer successfully defended the town.

In addition to Schaffer’s long term role as President and Managing Principal at Shain Schaffer, she has also served and continued to serve on many different boards and elected positions. Schaffer was nominated as the Delegate to the Democratic National Convention in 2008, 2012, and 2016. Currently she also serves as the Chair of the Somerset County Democratic Committee. Schaffer was also the past president of Executive Women of New Jersey, an organization dedicated to the recognition and growth of women in business and leadership positions (1998-2002). Schaffer has also sat on the board of directors for EWNJ since 1994 and continues to serve today. Schaffer also held a position on the Advisory Committee of the Institute for Women’s leadership at Rutgers. From 1985-1995 Schaffer held a position on the Board of Directors of the New Jersey State Bar Association, Banking Law section. She was the first female Chair from 1990-1991 and although she has retired from the position, still holds the title Director Emeritus. Finally Ms. Schaffer was also a founding member and secretary of the Essex County Women Lawyers Association.

Awards and Accolades:

Over the course of Ms. Schaffer’s expansive and successful career, she has been recognized by numerous organizations for her professional excellence and achievements in Women’s rights. Ms. Schaffer has been awarded the Super Lawyer award by New Jersey Monthly Magazine each year from 2014-2024. The somerset Hills Girl Scouts honored Ms. Schaffer as a “woman of Distinction” and in 2013 the Somerset County Commission on the Status of Women awarded her the Woman of Achievement in Government Award. Later in 2015 she was the recipient of the Barbara Boggs Sigmund Award from the New Jersey Women’s Political Caucus. Additionally Ms. Schaffer received the Eleanor Roosevelt Distinguished Service Award from the Somerset County Federation of Democratic Women.