New Jersey State Bar Association
Board of Trustees Report
Feb. 4, 2022
Note: This report
does not constitute official minutes.
Judicial
vacancies: Judicial vacancy issues are of critical
concern to the NJSBA and Association President Domenick Carmagnola recently
sent a letter to Gov. Phil Murphy urging action,
specifically to address vacancies on the New Jersey Supreme Court where there
exists one vacancy with a second looming. With anticipated retirements through
July, vacancies on the Superior Court are expected to increase to near 70
positions, with the problem most acute in Essex, Bergen, Passaic, Mercer, and
Hudson counties. The NJSBA Judicial and Prosecutorial Appointments Committee
continues to meet and review candidates.
Non-lawyers
performing legal work: Carmagnola said he
would form an Access to Justice Ad Hoc Committee to examine the impact of
alternative legal service providers and how to appropriately address access to
justice issues in New Jersey. A committee charge will be developed, and
additional details will be circulated.
Special speakers: The trustees approved three speakers for New Jersey
Institute for Continuing Legal Education programs and events this year. Sonali
Chakravarti, a professor and author of several books, including Radical
Enfranchisement in the Jury Room and Public Life, will speak on jury
selection issues at a program in March. Judge Beverly McLachlin, who served as
the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada, will discuss her life in the
law in a fireside chat with President-Elect Jeralyn L. Lawrence. Attorney and
author Lenné Eidson Espenschied will give a in a four-part series about logic,
argumentation and persuasion. Registration information and additional details will
be available at njicle.com.
New Jersey
State Bar Foundation Trustee: The Board approved Loren Pierce to fill a vacant seat on the NJSBF’s Board of Trustees. She is a principal at Bressler Amery and
Ross in Florham Park.
Election: The Board determined that should there be a need for an election this
spring, voting will start March 21.
Criminal
Law Section award: The Board approved
the Criminal Law Section’s request to give an annual award to recognize and
celebrate a practitioner who has demonstrated excellence and achievements in
the field.
Upcoming
events: The Board approved several hotel
contracts for NJSBA meetings. A contract was approved for the 2022 Elder Law
Retreat to be held March 23-25 at Wind Creek Bethlehem; the NJSBA 2022 Annual Meeting and Convention to be held May 18-20 at the Borgata Hotel, Casino and Spa in Atlantic
City; the 2022 Environmental Law Forum to be held at Icona Resort, Wildwood
Crest; and the 2022
Mid-Year Meeting to be held at Casa Marina, Key West, Fla. Additional details
and registration information will be available at njsba.com.
American
Bar Association House of Delegates: The Board voted
to support Resolution 603, which is pending before the American Bar Association’s House of
Delegates. The resolution urges the federal government to review processes and
procedures used when determining veterans’ discharge upgrade petitions to
ensure individuals with mental health issues are treated fairly. The position
will be shared with the NJSBA’s delegates to the House of Delegates, which is scheduled
to meet virtually Feb. 14.