Anthony Anastasio | President
NJCJI’s President, Anthony Anastasio, draws upon diverse experience in both law and government affairs to carry out NJCJI’s mission. In consultation with NJCJI’s Board of Trustees, Anthony engages in strategic legislative advocacy and public engagement to pursue NJCJI’s policy goals. Anthony regularly testifies before the New Jersey Legislature regarding a wide range of proposed laws affecting the state’s civil justice system. He is often quoted in the press on legal developments affecting New Jersey’s business community. Anthony also directs NJCJI’s participation in important court cases affecting the civil justice system.
Before leading NJCJI, Anthony worked as the Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs at the New Jersey Coalition of Automotive Retailers (“NJ CAR”), where he collaborated with NJCJI on multiple initiatives. Prior to NJ CAR, Anthony practiced law for over a decade, representing clients in civil cases before New Jersey’s state and federal courts. Anthony also previously served as an Assistant Prosecutor in Hunterdon County, New Jersey, where he prosecuted hundreds of criminal cases and gained extensive courtroom experience.
Anthony began his career as the law clerk for the Honorable Robert B. Reed (ret.) of the New Jersey Superior Court. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree from Rutgers College and his law degree from Rutgers Law School in Camden. Anthony is licensed to practice law in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.
E-mail Anthony | Direct Line: 609-337-8148
Kayla Rowe | Counsel
NJCJI’s Counsel, Kayla Rowe, supports NJCJI’s advocacy efforts before all branches of government. Kayla monitors New Jersey court decisions to assess their impact on the state’s civil justice system and represents NJCJI in select cases affecting the system. She also conducts the critical legal and policy research underlying NJCJI’s legislative advocacy. Kayla produces NJCJI’s weekly newsletter and organizes its events.
Before joining NJCJI, Kayla was in private legal practice, specializing in appeals. Kayla previously served as a Deputy Attorney General in New Jersey’s Office of the Attorney General, and before that, as an assistant prosecutor in the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. Kayla has argued before the New Jersey Supreme Court eight (8) times and before the state’s intermediate appellate courts dozens of times.
Kayla began her career as the law clerk for the Honorable Stephen B. Rubin (ret.) of the New Jersey Superior Court. Kayla received her Bachelor of Arts degree from Washington and Lee University and her law degree from Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law. Kayla is licensed to practice law in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, and the Supreme Court of the United States.