The New Jersey State Bar Association’s governing body took key actions to support its members and advance the organization’s mission during its March meeting.
The Board agreed to submit comments on the Supreme Court Civil Practice Committee Report. The comments oppose a proposed amendment to Rule 1:6-2(d) that would make oral argument on motions for reconsideration discretionary rather than a matter of right. The Board also acknowledges the inclusion of standard interrogatories requiring plaintiffs to disclose prior accidents and lawsuits.
The Board created the Marilyn Askin Lifetime Achievement Award to be given out periodically by the NJSBA Elder and Disability Law Section. The award recognizes a member of the Section whose career reflects extraordinary and sustained contributions to the practice, development and advancement of elder and disability law in New Jersey.
The Board reappointed six trustees to the New Jersey State Bar Foundation’s governing body: Kelly Ann Bird, Craig J. Compoli Jr., Katrina Homel, Mikeisha Anderson Jones, Thomas J. Manzo and Loren L. Pierce. The trustees are eligible for a new one-year term on the Foundation Board. The Board also appointed NJSBA Past President Timothy F. McGoughran
to fill an additional position on the Foundation Board.
The Board supported the following legislation pending in the state Legislature:
S3104 Wimberly/ A4260 Stewart – a bill that requires expunged records to be accessible for immigration purposes.
A1718 Reynolds-Jackson / S2922 Mukherji – a bill that provides for rehabilitative release for certain incarcerated persons. The Association supports an amendment that would provide funding for the bill’s right-to-counsel component.
A4071 Park/S3521 Timberlake – a measure that codifies the state Attorney General directive "Strengthening Trust Between Law Enforcement and Immigrant Communities.”
S314 Cruz-Perez/ A3884 Moen – a bill that appropriates $3.6 million for the Department of Children and Families to develop a unified childcare finder program.
S1417 Lagana – a measure that requires parties in arbitration hearings to be represented by attorneys in certain circumstances.