NJSBA Board of Trustees Report
June 15, 2023
Note: This does not constitute official minutes    

NJSBA Budget: The Board approved the fiscal year budget for 2023-2024 that allows the Association to continue providing meaningful membership experiences to better serve the legal community. Funding in the budget allows for new member benefits like the Member Assistance Program for mental health services, the legal research tool Decisis and enhanced CLE programming. The budget projects roughly $11 million in revenue and a breakeven bottom line.

Putting Lawyers First recommendations: The Board approved a series of recommendations from the Putting Lawyers First Task Force. The recommendations ask the Judiciary to allow attorneys to ethically respond to negative online reviews, be relieved as counsel with the litigant’s consent at any stage of a case, create a procedure for the presiding judge of each division or part to decide motions to be relieved as counsel so attorneys can address the issue without prejudicing their client to the judge hearing the case, and amend RPC 1.6 to permit the denial of withdrawal from representation where good cause and exceptional circumstances exist. The Board also supported a series of recommendations that address counsel fees and funding attorney’s fees, money held in escrow for a client and making the fee arbitration process more efficient.

Madden Assignments: The Board agreed to submit comments to the Supreme Court’s Working Group on Attorney Pro Bono Assignments. The comments, recommended by the NJSBA’s Judicial Administration Committee and largely due the NJSBA’s Right to Counsel report, call for the abolishment of the Madden assignment system of mandatory pro bono representation and provide a series of recommendations to achieve effective representation for litigants who are unable to afford counsel.

Judge Thornton Award: The Board voted to create an award for the late Assignment Judge Lisa P. Thornton that would be presented annually at the Diverse Judges Reception. Judge Thornton, the state’s first Black female assignment judge, passed away unexpectedly on May 27. Criteria for the award will be established by the NJSBA’s Diversity Committee. The New Jersey State Bar Foundation also created a scholarship in her memory, intended to aid young women attorneys of color attending law school.

State v. Cunningham: The Board agreed to seek amicus status in State v. Cunningham, a case that will decide the evidentiary reliability of the new Alcotest machine for use in DWI prosecutions.

Legislation: The Board supported the following reports and/or legislation:

NJ Law Revision Commission Draft Tentative Report Regarding the Mandatory Attorney Review Provision in the NJ Statute of Frauds, N.J.S. 25:1-5(h) – The report examines the Supreme Court decision in Moynihan v. Lynch, which addressed the validity of the mandatory attorney-review requirement for palimony agreements, and recommends changes to the statute for the Legislature to consider.

About


Founded in 1899, the NJSBA is the largest organization of attorneys, judges and legal professionals in New Jersey. At the core of our mission is improving the lives of our members, advancing the rule of law and serving as the voice of the profession. With 85 sections and committees, the NJSBA allows attorneys to benefit from being part of the most wide-reaching legal association in the state, while still cultivating expertise and building networks within specialized practice areas.

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Diversity


The New Jersey State Bar Association is committed to promoting and fostering a diverse and inclusive bar association. The Association recognizes that the broad concept of diversity includes race, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, age and disability. The NJSBA fosters and promotes an inclusive environment that gives value to the unique contributions of diverse individuals and organizations in all aspects of the Association.

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Advocacy


The NJSBA Legal and  Government Affairs Department serves as the liaison between NJSBA members and the state’s three branches of government.

Directions

The New Jersey Law Center is located at 1 Constitution Sq, New Brunswick, NJ, 08901. Need directions to the Law Center? Click on the button below to get started right away.

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New Brunswick, NJ 08901

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NJSBA Meetings and Events Calendar


From section, committee and division meetings with valuable CLE credit, to receptions and dinners and special events, the New Jersey State Bar Association regularly holds meetings so our members can meet their mandatory CLE requirements and network with the state’s largest attorney membership.

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2024 Annual Meeting & Convention


The New Jersey State Bar Association is thrilled to announce the 2024 Annual Meeting & Convention will be held at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa May 15-17

For more information, or to register today, visit the links below:

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2024 Mid-Year Meeting


The New Jersey State Bar Association is thrilled to announce the 2024 Mid-Year Meeting will be held in Dublin, Ireland at The Shelbourne Hotel, Nov. 2-9.

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Practice HQ Training Events


Lawyers aren't taught practice management skills, and the NJSBA is here to fill the gap — no matter whether you are just starting out, mid-career or thinking about wrapping up their practices. Our PracitceHQ is here to help with webinars, informative articles, free consultations, comparison charts and so much more.

Practice HQ Training Events

Decisis


The new NJSBA member benefit Decisis will help you level-up your legal research.

Decisis gives members access to a robust database of local and federal case law is necessary information often used to structure your case. Decisis provides industry-leading tools to make legal research easier and more intuitive, and it’s a free benefit to all active New Jersey State Bar Association members.

Decisis Training Events

Networking Events


The NJSBA provides a host of networking events so members can maintain relationships with existing colleagues and make new connects. Join us at a baseball game, the hockey arena, for a community service project, or another event.

Upcoming Networking Events

Benefits Of Membership


As a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA), you will join a powerful network of 16,000 legal professionals across the state of New Jersey. NJSBA membership grants you access to year-round virtual and in-person networking events, leadership and professional development opportunities, member-only discounts, educational resources to help you stay in the know and much more!

Practice Management Tools


The NJSBA provides tools lawyers need to improve their practice, from our comprehensive PracticeHQ library of resources; a career center to find your next colleague or opportunity; an intuitive and high-powered legal research platform; and a robust Member Assistance Program to connect members, and those who live in their households, with experienced counselors and resources to address mental health needs.

 

Advocacy


As an NJSBA member, you'll become part of the collective power of the NJSBA network, giving you the ability to influence legislation and caselaw in New Jersey. Let’s work together to shape the future and solve critical issues facing attorneys and the public.

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Networking


Membership helps you build and maintain a powerful network through our in-person and online events with attorneys all over the state.

 

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Become A Partner Organization


The New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA) offers an exclusive partnership opportunity to amplify your organization’s impact and drive success. By harnessing the power of the NJSBA legal community, you can connect with our vibrant network of 16,000 legal professionals from 35+ different areas of practice, unlocking unparalleled opportunities for growth and achievement.

 

News and Press Publications


Learn more about the accomplishments of the Association, its members and events from regular news updates, press releases, and our award-winning magazine.


 

Reports


Read the comments, reports, resolutions and Board of Trustee news from the state’s largest organization of lawyers, judges and legal professionals.


 

Statements and Positions


The NJSBA is the voice of the profession and takes public positions on a range of issues with the legal community and government officials. It also takes positions on legislation and files friend-of-the-court briefs on matters that impact the profession. 

Photo Galleries


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