The New Jersey State Bar Association’s Board of Trustees acted on several items at its June meeting.
The Board adopted a $10.7 million fiscal year budget for 2024-2025 that allows the Association to provide meaningful membership experiences, top-notch CLE programming and quality legal publications. Funding in budget will continue popular member benefits like the Member Assistance Program for mental health services and the legal research tool Decisis.
On a recommendation from the Amicus Committee, the Board agreed to seek amicus status in two cases. Stinnie v. Holcomb, a case pending before the U.S. Supreme Court, involves fee shifting cases and when a plaintiff is considered a “prevailing party” entitled to counsel fees. The other case, J.H. v. Warren Hills Board of Education, deals with an interlocutory appeal before the Appellate Division on claims brought under the state’s Child Sexual Abuse Act.
Given the increased threats attorneys and their clients face from ransomware and malware attacks, the Board voted to disband the Internet and Computer Law Committee and replace it with a new Cybersecurity Committee to address online risks and help guide the legal industry.
The Board approved a recommendation of the Bylaws Committee to amend bylaws for the Municipal Court Practice Section. The new bylaws create a new officer position of Chair of the Municipal Court Practice Education Committee and clarify that any sitting chair is ineligible for the Municipal Court Practitioner of the Year Award.