Deadline to submit information is Dec. 15
The state’s largest group of legal professionals is looking for members interested in taking on leadership roles.
The New Jersey State Bar Association’s Nominating Committee is accepting applications for a number of key positions that become available in May, including officers, trustees and delegates to the American Bar Association.
Candidates must submit a completed questionnaire by noon Dec. 15.
For more information, see the complete notice below.
NJSBA Nominating Committee
Seeks Candidates for Leadership Positions
The New Jersey State Bar Association’s Nominating Committee invites members to apply for the following positions, which will be open in May 2018. Specific criteria apply for various positions, as indicated below. Positions where incumbent trustees are eligible for reappointment are indicated with an asterisk (*).
NJSBA Officers: One-year terms for positions of president-elect, first vice president, second vice president, treasurer and secretary.
NJSBA Board of Trustees: The following trustee positions:
• County Trustees: One seat (each for a two-year term) for the following counties: Bergen, Burlington*, Cumberland, Essex*, Gloucester, Hudson*, Mercer*, Morris*, Passaic*, Salem, and Warren*. For purposes of being eligible to be a county trustee, at the time of election trustees shall meet one of the following criteria: (1) the county trustee's home is located in the county; (2) the county trustee's office is located in the county; or (3) the county is the county trustee's primary county of practice and he or she is a member of the county bar association. (Article III, 1)
• At-Large Trustees: Three seats (each for a two-year term). At-large trustees shall represent segments of the membership not adequately represented on the Board of Trustees. (Article VI, 4(d)) This year, three seats are specifically designated as follows: one for an Asian-American* member, one for an Hispanic* member, and one at-large* member. The “at-large” designated seat is open to members who are in any of the following under-represented groups: African-American, Asian-American, Hispanic, LGBT, over 70, women, and attorneys with disabilities.
• Section/Committee Trustees: Three seats, each for a two-year term (all are current trustees eligible for reappointment). Section/committee trustees are elected from among the membership of NJSBA sections and committees. Candidates for section/committee trustee must submit a completed sponsorship form from at least one sponsoring section or committee, which may have been voted on by the entire section or committee, or by the section or committee’s governing body. A section or committee may sponsor only one candidate during any nominating cycle, and no more than one section/committee trustee sponsored by any one section or committee may sit on the board as a section/committee trustee at any one time. (Article VI, 4(c), Article VIII, 3(d)) Sections and committees already represented on the board, which are precluded this year from sponsoring a candidate, include: Amicus Committee, Casino Law Section, Child Welfare Law Section, Equity Jurisprudence Committee, Health Law Section, Labor & Employment Law Section.
• Young Lawyers Division Trustee: One seat (for a two-year term). The Young Lawyers Division trustee must be a member of the Young Lawyers Division. (Article VI, 4(a))
• ABA House of Delegates: Two seats, each for a full, two-year term, which begins at the conclusion of the American Bar Association Annual Meeting, held in Aug. 2018 in Chicago, IL. Delegates must be available to participate in the Annual and Mid-Year meetings of the ABA at their own expense.
• Nominating Committee: One seat, for a two-year term. This seat is for a general member from any county, other than Essex, as that county is already represented on the committee in this category. (Article VIII, 2(i))
Criteria:
Candidates will be evaluated by the Nominating Committee for any of the available positions based on the following criteria (Article VIII, 3(a)):
1. Adherence to the highest standards of fairness, professional responsibility, civility and professionalism;
2. The quality of prior service to the organized bar;
3. Prior or present leadership positions and degree of effectiveness in these positions;
4. Dedication, capacity for hard work, and ability to fulfill all relevant duties;
5. Awareness of the NJSBA’s internal structure, in particular the duties for the position sought;
6. Demonstrated ability to synthesize and understand extensive information;
7. Demonstrated common sense, good judgment and the ability to articulate positions intelligently;
8. Prior service to the New Jersey State Bar Association and its constituent parts;
9. Prior service to county and specialty bar associations;
10. Extent of practice in the state of New Jersey;
11. Geographical balance of the NJSBA leadership,
12. Especially for officer positions, demonstrated administrative capability and experience, and recognition and understanding of the essential issues facing the organized bar, the profession, and capacity to lead in a creative, responsible fashion.
Filing Deadline: In order for each candidate to qualify for consideration by the Nominating Committee, a letter of intention for the elective position sought should be submitted as indicated below. After receipt of a letter of intention, a questionnaire will be forwarded to the prospective candidate by email. Completed questionnaires must be received by the committee no later than 12 p.m., Friday, Dec. 15, 2017. To facilitate a response, candidates should include an email address in letters of intention. Letters may be emailed to Angela Scheck, executive director, as follows: [email protected], or faxed to 732-828-0024. All letters should be directed to:
William Krais, Esq., Chair, Nominating Committee
New Jersey State Bar Association
New Jersey Law Center
One Constitution Square
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1520
Attn: Angela C. Scheck, Executive Director
Please also direct any questions regarding procedure to Scheck by email or phone at 732-937-7500.