The new leadership of the New Jersey State Bar Association’s (NJSBA) sections, committees and the Young Lawyers Division attended a virtual orientation Tuesday where they got an overview of the NJSBA’s structure and policies, what their responsibilities as leaders will be and information on how to make their one-year term successful.
NJSBA President Domenick Carmagnola told the dozens of attendees that it’s the dedication and commitment of members like them that give the NJSBA its strength and vitality as the voice for the state’s legal profession.
“The organization doesn’t exist without the dedication of folks like you,” he said. “The expertise that you bring allows us to tackle issues.”
Among the issues the NJSBA is focusing on is helping lawyers emerge successfully from the pandemic and the urgent need to fill the numerous Judicial vacancies, Carmagnola said. The NJSBA continues to hold meetings and discussions with state leaders and “explore every avenue” to address the vacancies, he said.
The NJSBA Pandemic Task Force continues to monitor and respond to the evolving pandemic, including gathering the expertise of the legal community to provide input on courthouse openings and jury trials to the Administrative of the Courts.
“This past year has elevated us to new status in the Court’s eyes. I couldn’t be more proud of the Association,” Carmagnola said.
The NJSBA’s recent success in seeing remote notary signed into law and being a part of key amicus matters before the Supreme Court are examples of how important the sections and committees are to the strength of the NJSBA and how they can influence advocacy and legislation, according to NJSBA officials.
“Most decisions [to file an advocacy position] run through your committees. It’s why you are so critical to the process,” Carmagnola said.