New Jersey State Bar Association

Join us on October 16 for, The End of Chevron Deference – What It Means to Your Cases. In June, New Jersey fishermen upended a 40-year doctrine that gave deference to administrative agencies in their interpretation of ambiguous statutes. The U.S. Supreme Court’s decision in Loper Bright Enterprises v. Raimondo and Relentless v. Department of Commerce held that courts must exercise “independent judgment” in determining the meaning of statutory provisions, although they may still “seek aid” from well-reasoned or long-standing interpretations by agencies. This landmark case marked a shift away from the 1984 holding in Chevron v. Natural Resources Defense Council, which gave rise to the doctrine known as the “Chevron deference.” Under that doctrine, if Congress has not directly addressed the question at the center of a dispute, a court was required to uphold the agency’s interpretation of the statute as long as it was reasonable. Loper is expected to usher in a new era of greater scrutiny of agency actions and perhaps a different approach to lawmaking by Congress. Our esteemed panelists will break down the Loper decisions and leave you with some key takeaways and practice tips. How will this ruling impact your practice? Where do we go from here? How do you protect your clients? What are some new opportunities to challenge long-standing rules? We will also explore New Jersey’s history of judicial deference to state administrative agencies and whether New Jersey deference precedent is due for a hard look. From administrative law to legislative lobbying, environmental law, school law, election law and more, if your practice involves any administrative regulations, you won’t want to miss this vital update. To register visit, https://ow.ly/Jez150Tvg5O #NJICLE

Check out the October edition of The NJSBA Docket to catch up on the latest updates from the legal community and Association highlights #NJStateBar #NJLawyers #NJLegalNews

Join the NJSBA for an Oct. 11 webinar all about Decisis, the legal research tool available for free with your NJSBA membership. The program will offer advanced-level training to elevate your proficiency in legal research. Register for the webinar today and access Decisis here, https://ow.ly/WM0V50TmeiK #NJStateBar #Decisis #LegalResearch

The NJSBA is proud to recognize attorneys who go above and beyond to help others receive fair representation under the law. Read more about two recipients of this year’s NJSBA Pro Bono Awards, who will be honored on Oct. 29 for their exceptional work with the state’s underserved residents here, https://ow.ly/7BKo50Tqo9e To register for the event here, https://ow.ly/5PZE50Tqo9b #NJStateBar #ProBono #ProBonoAwards

In September, a new law took effect that drastically changed the New Jersey’s Open Public Act. While the law’s sponsors touted it as a cost-saving measure that unburdens municipal clerks and others who provide public records, opponents argued that the reforms weaken OPRA and limit the public’s ability to obtain accessible records. Over 200 attorneys attended the “OPRA 2.0” seminar in June. Join the same seasoned attorneys as they discuss new information and help you navigate the law. Topics include: - Current information on how the law is being applied. - The ramifications of In Re Adoption of N.J.A.C. 5:105-1.6(a)(1), in which the Appellate Division invalidated the Government Records Council’s (GRC) provision on what records are available during the adjudication of a denial-of-access complaint under OPRA. - An important reminder of effective dates and pipeline retroactivity. - More topics to come as the new law rolls out! To register visit, https://ow.ly/hxFP50TtrIS #NJStateBar

Mark your calendar for October 7-11 for our upcoming NJSBA Member Celebration Days, a series of events dedicated to showcasing the value of NJSBA membership and showing our gratitude to the thousands of dedicated members and volunteers who contribute tirelessly to the legal profession. Visit njsba.com for more information. #NJStateBar

Fee-shifting is often what drives the advancement of client rights and allows attorneys to get compensated for their work. A special thanks to Yongmoon (Elijah) Kim, Tracey C. Hinson, Angelica M. Mercado, David C. Ricci and Nancy Erika Smith for presenting an always relevant NJICLE seminar on the nuts and bolts of having an opposing party to pay your attorney fees. Here are some quick tips from the program: -When making an application, be sure to establish your lodestar (your hours multiplied by the hourly rate). It’s best to keep contemporaneous time records on a timekeeping system.? -Take the time to scrutinize your records and eliminate hours and time that might not be necessary, including potential double billings. Don’t give defendants anything to challenge.? -One of the best ways to counter a defendant’s challenge is to subpoena the time records of opposing counsel. For public entities, time records are subject to OPRA.? -Once you’ve checked your hours, establish your prevailing market rate, which is the rate you deserve as a lawyer in the relevant community. View the NJCILE calendar for the latest seminars and on-demand videos https://njsba.com/njicle/ #NJStateBar?

Join us for the 2024 DEI Conference on October 7, available online and in person at the New Jersey Law Center. The U.S. Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action last year left many involved with diversity, equity and inclusion programs wondering what would come next. Since the ruling, DEI advocates have seen a nationwide backlash using the decision to target non-discrimination training and DEI programs across a variety of sectors. Our distinguished panel will take stock of impacts felt in higher education, corporate America, law firms and government organizations. The panel will explore other legal actions that have been filed, decisions that provide additional guideposts and efforts that have withstood challenges. The discussion will also feature action items and practical tips for anyone who believes the principles of DEI should remain resonant in workplace culture. Our speakers include Cliff Dawkins, Esq. , Lora Fong, Esq., SHRM-SCP , Leonard V. Jones, and BETH ZOLLER To register visit https://ow.ly/bn7M50Tt8sE #NJStateBar #DEI

The NJSBA Equity Jurisprudence Committee Proudly Presents the 21st Annual Chancery Judges Reception. Please join us for a social evening to welcome Chancery Judges and their Law Clerks to the new term on Tuesday, Oct. 1 at 6 p.m. at the New Jersey Law Center. $105 per person FREE for judges and law clerks Law clerk registrations: Please contact Customer Service at 732-214-8500 This event is open to NJSBA members and non-members. To register online visit, https://ow.ly/EzsI50Ta2ow #NJStateBar

Our popular Tort Law Conference returns for 2024 with new topics that will help you navigate the changing world and provide reliable, solid strategies you can immediately put to use in your practice. Moderator Michael Epstein will preside over an outstanding faculty for a day of scholarly and practical insights covering some of the hottest trends in tort law, litigation, and personal injury trial practice. From significant tort cases of 2024 to tips in handling personal injury cases, the 2024 Conference is a “must attend” program. To learn more and register visit, https://ow.ly/YTfh50TfwpH #NJICLE #TortLaw