December 2024

Hello friends,

Welcome to the latest issue of The NJSBA Docket, a bi-monthly bulletin with news from the legal community and Association highlights.

Be sure to check out the calendar for our lineup of educational offerings and networking opportunities. Here’s a primer of what we have in store for the coming weeks, as well as the latest court notices from the Judiciary:

News and Notices from the Courts

• The Judiciary announced NJSBA member Kelly M. Mattheiss as the secretary for the District VB (Essex County—Suburban Essex) Ethics Committee, NJSBA member Evelyn F. Nissirios as the secretary for District IIB (Bergen County—South) and Sarah Fehm Stewart as the secretary for District VC (Essex County—West Essex).
• The New Jersey Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection announced the names of New Jersey attorneys who are removed from the 2024 Ineligible List.
• The state Supreme Court issued a directive to incorporate home invasion burglary and residential burglary offenses in sentencing enhancement statutes.
• The state Supreme Court requests public comment on proposals that would require New Jersey attorneys to earn CLE credits in technology-related legal subjects and to keep abreast of the benefits and risks associated with relevant technology. The proposals, along with a Judiciary seminar on cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, aim to strengthen attorney awareness and proficiency in the technology.
• Effective Dec. 1, all New Jersey attorneys are required to file general equity pleadings and other documents in “C” docket cases through eCourts.
• The Office of Attorney Ethics seeks attorney applicants for District Fee Arbitration Committee (DFAC) secretary in DFAC XI, covering Passaic County.
• The Judiciary issued guidelines for retired judges who accept fee-generating, court-initiated appointments.
• The state Supreme Court adopted the 2025 Attorney Discipline Budget and approved the Annual Attorney Assessment for 2025.

Supreme and Appellate Decisions

• In the Matter of the Verified Petition for the Proposed Creation of a PK-12 All-Purpose Regional School District by the Borough of Sea Bright—In a case of first impression, the panel addressed whether a school district that merged with another has standing to withdraw from that district to join a new, all-purpose regional school district.
• State of New Jersey vs. Jamel Carlton (Atlantic County and Statewide)—The defendant challenged his extended-term sentence as a persistent offender based on Erlinger v. United States.
• Guiseppe Amato vs. Township of Ocean School District (New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development)—The panel determined whether a judge of compensation was conflicted from presiding over a matter involving the application of a statute which the judge previously sponsored as a member of the Legislature.
• Anna-Maria Obiedzinski vs. Township of Tewksbury (Hunterdon County and Statewide)—A case involving the tax assessor in Tewksbury, who filed a complaint alleging the defendants retaliated against her in violation of the Conscientious Employee Protection Act.

NJSBA Solo and Small-Firm Section Helping Hungry New Jersey Residents

With the holiday season in full swing, the NJSBA’s Solo and Small-Firm Section has partnered with Community FoodBank of New Jersey to support food insecure people with nutritious meals. The fundraiser is part of the NJSBA’s Lawyers Feeding New Jersey campaign to help end hunger in New Jersey and ensure your neighbors have access to the food and resources they need to thrive. Since 2014, the program has raised over $100,000 for individuals and families.

NJICLE Seminar to Explore Cultural Considerations in Litigation

New Jersey attorneys serve a culturally diverse clientele. A special NJICLE seminar on Dec. 11 will discuss the challenges people of diverse cultural backgrounds face in the court system and how to ensure fairness at every stage of a case. A distinguished panel of public and private attorneys, including state Supreme Court Justice Michael Noriega, will examine language barriers, religious and cultural practices—such as wearing a hijab or yarmulke in court—and more. Don’t miss this chance to broaden your cultural perspective by learning how different values, customs and beliefs intersect with the courts.

NJSBA PracticeHQ Presents: How to Fight and Beat Procrastination

Join the NJSBA on Jan. 8 for a free lunchtime webinar on the psychological roots of procrastination, why we intentionally delay tasks and ways to overcome it. The program will provide research-backed strategies and real-world examples to equip you with the knowledge to beat procrastination. Learn more about PracticeHQ, a free benefit for NJSBA members that provides information and guidance on practice-related issues.

Celebrate Holiday Cheer with the NJSBA

It’s that special time of year again. All NJSBA members are welcome to join the Association’s Board of Trustees at the New Jersey Law Center on Dec. 12 to toast an exciting year of collaboration and advocacy to improve the legal profession. Don’t miss this special opportunity to mingle with colleagues and leadership from the NJSBA and around the legal community. The event will honor this year’s Legislative and Amicus Award recipients and recognize the sponsors who support the Association throughout the year.

Whether you are a law student just starting out, a mid-career professional looking to reinvigorate your practice, or an experienced practitioner, the NJSBA has something for you. Join a powerful network of 16,000 legal professionals today. Learn more here.