Want to know more about the New Jersey State Bar Association’s (NJSBA) robust advocacy efforts? The NJSBA never stops fighting for improvements to the profession and justice system in Trenton. Association members draft bills, testify in Trenton and more.
Learn more about the NJSBA’s positions on legislation that matters in a new “position statements” portal at njsba.com.
NJSBA is a leading amicus voice
The NJSBA is often a friend of the court on pending cases before state and federal appellate courts.
The Association’s amicus activity runs the gamut of issues, including driving while intoxicated cases, Law Against Discrimination matters, voir dire issues, questions about alimony, statutes of limitation matters and the role of recall judges in New Jersey courts. Each year, the NJSBA gets involved in roughly a dozen cases.
The underlying theme of each case in which the NJSBA decides to seek amicus status is that it contains broad policy implications that could impact attorneys, their practices and their clients.
To view the list of our amicus cases, or learn more about submitting a case for amicus consideration, visit njsba.com.
NJSBA tenant assistance clinics; volunteers needed
Building on its success in Newark and New Brunswick, the NJSBA will find ways to provide additional landlord tenant assistance for those facing housing issues stemming from the public health pandemic. Details for future outreach efforts are under discussion, given the ongoing public health crisis.
The clinics are a collaborative effort between the NJSBA, Legal Services of New Jersey, Volunteer Lawyers for Justice, the Community Health Law Project and Seton Hall School of Law’s new Housing Justice Project. Volunteer attorneys are still needed, especially those who speak Spanish.
This effort is an outgrowth of legislation signed earlier this year to assist landlords in getting back rent and tenants in meeting their obligations for past rent. The Eviction Prevention Program provides a process to allow tenants to request relief by way of assistance and/or grants.
For more information or to volunteer, contact [email protected].
Annual IOLTA registration begins this week
The IOLTA online registration system will be available for licensed New Jersey attorneys and designated law firm administrators beginning this week, the Judiciary announced. Starting Jan. 5, visit ioltanj.org and click on the 2022 IOLTA Registration Link to get started.
The registration is pursuant to Rule 1:28A, which says participation in the IOLTA program is mandatory for every attorney engaged in the private practice of law. Regulations of the IOLTA Fund of the Bar of New Jersey approved by the Supreme Court require that trust accounts subject to Rule 1:28A shall be registered annually with the IOLTA fund.
The 2022 deadline for IOLTA registration is March 31. If an attorney’s status has changed since last registering or the attorney is no longer in private practice or otherwise exempt from maintaining a trust account, the Judiciary must be notified in writing by March 31. All questions and inquiries should be sent to [email protected].
This is a status report provided by the New Jersey State Bar Association on recently passed and pending legislation, regulations, gubernatorial nominations and/or appointments of interest to lawyers, as well as the involvement of the NJSBA as amicus in appellate court matters. To learn more, visit njsba.com.