October 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 state Supreme Court released its latest Action Plan for Ensuring Equal Justice to identify and eliminate barriers to justice for historically marginalized groups.
• The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit invites applications from qualified candidates for a 14-year appointment as U.S. Bankruptcy Judge for the Eastern District of New York.
• Effective Oct. 1, attorneys are encouraged to file all pleadings and other documents in the Chancery Division, General Equity (“C” docket) through the Judiciary’s eCourts system.
• The Judiciary announced the names of attorneys who are removed from the 2024 IOLTA Ineligible List.
• Mary Ann R. Andrews is the new fee arbitration secretary for the District VI (Hudson County) Fee Arbitration Committee.
• The Judiciary issued a reminder that New Jersey attorneys must complete their annual registration and payment electronically through the Judiciary’s web-based application. The Judiciary is also offering a series of free CLE training sessions between October and January 2025.
• The state Supreme Court invites written comments on the Report of the Professional Responsibility Rules Committee from August. The full report is available on the Judiciary’s website.
• The Judiciary has lifted its stay on enforcing driver’s license and registration suspensions for parking ticket violations, after the Judiciary had temporarily suspended enforcement during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Court matters will temporarily cease the morning of Oct. 8 at the Somerset County Courthouse for a planned security drill.
• The state Supreme Court established a process for revisiting the pretrial release conditions of certain defendants and clarified the timeframe and procedure for handling violations of monitoring. The Court also authorized Municipal Court judges to handle first appearance matters.

Supreme and Appellate Decisions

• State of New Jersey vs. Dana Kearney—The appellate panel confirmed the defendant was not deprived of effective representation of counsel for his 2017 murder trial.

Special Recognition: NJSBA Section Chair Honored with Bankruptcy Distinguished Service Award

Congratulations to Andrew R. Turner for receiving the prestigious 2024 American Inns of Court Bankruptcy Distinguished Service Award. The award recognizes a judge or attorney who has exhibited ongoing dedication to the highest standards of the legal profession, the rule of law and personal ethics and integrity in bankruptcy law. Turner chairs the NJSBA’s Appellate Practice Committee and is an active member of the Essex County Bar Association. He has lectured extensively for the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education.

Help Control Stress, Burnout in the Law with the NJSBA

The NJSBA’s Member Assistance Program will host a free, virtual program on Oct. 22 about the many issues that contribute to feelings of anxiety, depression and burnout in attorneys. Mental health experts will discuss strategies and techniques to help you build resiliency and thrive in the profession and your personal life.

NJSBA Member Celebration Days Start Next Week

Join the NJSBA for Member Celebration Days from Oct. 7–11 to celebrate the thousands of members and volunteers who work hard in the profession every day. Participate in the weeklong series of free programs and events to improve your practice skills, network with colleagues and take advantage of the NJSBA’s many member benefits. The week will wrap with an Open House and Networking Reception at the New Jersey Law Center on Oct. 10, where attendees can meet colleagues, expand their business and personal network and learn to make the most of their NJSBA membership. Plus, get a free professional headshot.

NJSBA WIPS Program Series Designed for Women Litigators

Join the NJSBA’s Women in the Profession Section for a three-part series to help women be more successful litigators. The kickoff program on Oct. 22 will address trial skills, when negotiation becomes necessary, mediation, discovery of bad facts and more. Additional seminars on Nov. 19 and a forthcoming date in January will cover settlement strategies and overcoming a lack of self-confidence.

The South Jersey Bankruptcy Practitioners’ Group Seeks Members

Bankruptcy practitioners are invited to join the South Jersey Bankruptcy Practitioners’ Group, dedicated to connecting attorneys with pro bono bankruptcy cases in the nine southern New Jersey counties, including: Atlantic, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Gloucester, Monmouth, Ocean and Salem counties. The group has released its annual meeting schedule and registration information.

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.