The biggest annual event in the legal profession brought together thousands of attorneys, judges and legal professionals at the Annual Meeting and Convention. The Wednesday sessions examined issues facing the profession, including seminars on artificial intelligence, an update about legislative matters, sessions on jury trial strategies, and what practitioners need to know about handling matters in federal courts. Other sessions looked at land use, family law and labor and employment matters.
Affordability a Universal Priority in Trenton
No matter the political affiliation, affordability is at the heart of state legislators’ concerns. At the annual Inside Trenton program, Democrats and Republicans alike agreed that state government needs to be focused on finding ways to make living in the Garden State more affordable for its residents. Reining in energy costs, stabilizing transit costs, protecting tenants and creating more jobs were some of the actions cited by legislators to help state residents thrive and remain in the state.
With a June 30 budget deadline looming, government efficiency was also top of mind among the legislators, with Jay Redd, Senior Director for Legislative Affairs in the Governor’s Office, noting the appointment of a new chief operating officer for the state, charged with driving efficiency, transparency and accountability throughout state government.
Other topics discussed included protecting the rule of law with a qualified and independent judiciary; issues arising with the upcoming FIFA soccer tournament, including human trafficking; and concerns about a number of recently-enacted new rules, including provisions governing a worker’s independent contractor status, new rules affecting the use of e-bikes, and new environmental requirements impacting the state’s shore areas.
Legal Battle Against Antisemitism
We Will Not Be Silenced: The Legal Battle Against Antisemitism attracted a full room of attendees who paid close attention as the panelists highlighted various recent efforts and litigation aimed at combatting antisemitism.
Paul Eckles, Senior Litigation Counsel with Brandeis Center, talked about his work settling an antisemitism case against UC Berkeley. The biggest challenge in these negotiations, he said, was that the “powers that be don’t believe they are doing anything wrong” and that they need to education general counsel to understand the problem. Settlements should include a definition of antisemitism, he said. “To defeat antisemitism you need to define it,” Eckles said, quoting Rabbi Mark Goldfeder of the National Jewish Advocacy Center.
You’re Hired!
It is critical to find staff who fits, especially at a solo or small firm. Navigating how to find those people can be challenging and takes more than just positing a listing online. Developing a trusted network of places to recruit from, including word of mouth, is often more helpful in finding a good candidate than using outside recruiters. Legal affinity groups, law schools and similar groups can be a great way to find viable candidates, said the panelists at You’re Hired/You’re Fired - Navigating the Hiring and Firing of Staff for Solos and Small-Firm Attorneys.
“You have a head start on the vetting process,” said moderator Erdal Turnacioglu.
The panel covered creating the job listing, reviewing resumes and what to look for, conducting an interview the right way, making an offer, integrating new employees into your practice. They also discussed key issues on the flip side for when you need to terminate an employee, such as the need for an employee handbook, write-ups for the file, and final termination.
Say What?
At the session When Off-Duty Speech Becomes an Employment Nightmare: Strategies to Cope, panelists discussed how the rise of social media and work-from-home policies had blurred lines and complicated what becomes a “workplace” issue. They recounted stories about inappropriate attire and coffee mugs with political slogans on Zoom calls, as well as complaints about individual employee posts on their own social media.
“It’s a problem for our society. Everyone needs a private space where they can be themselves,” said panelist Christopher P. Lenzo. “These social media platforms make it impossible.”