A good way to stay out of ethics trouble is understanding how the attorney and professional ethics system in New Jersey works.
A panel of experts at “Ethics, The Court and The Bar - A Comprehensive Look at How the Ethics System Works” offered an insight look at how the ethics process and the Judiciary’s disciplinary system works. The program shined a light on the various Court agencies tasked with oversight of the practice of law, utilizing the Ethics Hotline and other ethical matters of concern to the Supreme Court.
Robert B. Hille, Esq., a NJSBA Past President, moderated the program which included Carol Johnston, secretary of the Judiciary’s Advisory Committee on Professional Ethics; Johanna Barba Jones, director of the Office of Attorney Ethics; NJSBA Secretary Diana C. Manning, G. Glennon Troublefield, NJSBA Treasurer, and Mike Mooney, senior vice president of USI Affinity.
The discussion laid out how the Office of Attorney Ethics does its work; how attorneys can be involved in the ethics system through trusteeships, fee arbitration and ethics committees; and practical concerns.
In addition, panelists urged attorneys to ask for help before problems get out of control.
“There should be no stigma in asking for help in the very dififcult and demanding practice of law,” said Johanna Barba Jones, director of the state Office of Attorney Ethics. “There are tools for that…. We want to take care of each other.”
All attorneys can access the Judiciary’s Ethics Hotline at 609-815-2924.