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The New Jersey State Bar Association is the voice of the profession and has over 18,000 members across the state. Its mission is to serve, protect, foster and promote the personal and professional interests of its members. It also promotes access to the justice system, encourages participation in pro bono activities and encourages professionalism and pride in the community. The New Jersey State Bar Association is the voice of the profession and has over 18,000 members across the state. Its mission is to serve, protect, foster and promote the personal and professional interests of its members. It also promotes access to the justice system, encourages participation in pro bono activities and encourages professionalism and pride in the community. 

The association, which is based at the New Jersey Law Center in New Brunswick, is able to accomplish its goals through the hard work of volunteers who dedicate thousands of hours each year to making it happen. 

The following is part three of a three-part series exploring the NJSBA’s efforts and affiliated groups:

New Jersey State Bar Foundation
The New Jersey State Bar Foundation (NJSBF) is the charitable and educational arm of the New Jersey State Bar Association. The NJSBF's mission is to:

• Foster an increased awareness, appreciation and knowledge of law and the legal system among New Jersey residents.
• Serve as the statewide resource for law-related education for the public.
• Provide opportunities for lawyers to serve the public through its programs.
• Foster professionalism and pride in the profession of law through public service.

The foundation does this by offering a free, comprehensive public education program. Among its many public and school-based activities, the NJSBF presents law-related seminars; conducts conflict resolution training; publishes law-related materials; operates a video loan library and speakers' bureau; and coordinates elementary, middle and high school mock trial competitions. The foundation recently redesigned its website and is launching a civics blog. Visit njsbf.org to learn more. 

General Council
The NJSBA’s General Council includes leaders of the association, New Jersey State Bar Foundation, and county and specialty bar associations, as governed by the association’s bylaws. The group makes recommendations to the association’s Board of Trustees on matters affecting the membership and the legal community at large.  Each year, it elects a member to serve on the association’s Nominating Committee, which helps vet and recommend future leaders. The council is scheduled to hold its annual meeting on Oct. 13 at the New Jersey Law Center in New Brunswick.
 
New Jersey Commission on Professionalism in the Law
The New Jersey Commission on Professionalism in the Law is a unique cooperative venture of the NJSBA, the state and federal Judiciary, and New Jersey's law schools. It was formed in response to increasing displeasure within the bar about the future direction of the profession, and public criticism of lawyers and the legal system. It aims to strengthen the traditional values, and sense of responsibility and public purpose, that have made the practice of law a distinguished profession. The commission develops programs and initiatives for lawyers, judges, and law students. It also sponsors the annual Professional Lawyer of the Year Awards, honoring attorneys from every county and specialty bar association. The commission also annually presents the Daniel J. O’Hern Award and the Charles Hollenbeck Award.
 
New Jersey Lawyers Assistance Program
The program is free and confidential to all attorneys in the state and is administered by the NJSBA. All members of the bar help fund the program that helps lawyers, law students, law school graduates and judges struggling with depression and any problem effective an attorney’s professional or personal well-being. It offers confidential counseling and referral services, and hosts regular support groups. The program has provided assistance to thousands of members of the legal community in over 20 years of service. Find out more at njlap.org.