Advocacy. It is  the reason why many of us became trial attorneys.

Trial lawyers understand the importance of using their voice and standing up for those in need.

At NJAJ, advocacy comes in multiple forms:

• Appearing  before the Legislature in support of  new laws that protect the rights of consumers, workers, those injured through the negligence of others, those discriminated against in the workplace or issues regarding families.
   
• Appearing as amicus curiae before the New Jersey Supreme Court or the Appellate Division to create  law helpful  for our  clients.
   
• Taking  positions on proposed changes to the New Jersey rules of court or rules of evidence.

Earlier this month I, along with Christina Vassiliou Harvey, Esq., a co-chair of the NJAJ Civil Practice Committee, had the honor of appearing before the Judicial Conference on the Proposal to Amend Rules of Evidence 803 (c) (25) and 804 (b) (3).

Although NJAJ argued forcefully against the proposal, maintaining that New Jersey’s hearsay rule has worked well since the 1960s and, thus, no changes were warranted, the changes have been adopted with an effective date  on July 1, 2024.  If given another opportunity, NJAJ will continue to oppose the proposed changes.

Regardless of the outcome of these proposed changes, NJAJ owes a debt of gratitude to the co-chairs of the Civil Practice,  Criminal Law/Municipal Court  and  Mass Tort/Class Action committees for their work in reviewing the proposal and helping to develop NJAJ’s written comments.

NJAJ’s Statement of Mission and Values commits us “to train, educate and guide our ranks to the greatest expressions of the art and science of jurisprudence.”

Throughout the year, we honor that pledge by coming  together to learn from each other about trial techniques and methods, innovative approaches to questioning witnesses, better ways to tell our clients’ stories so that judges and juries understand – and are persuaded by – what has happened to them.

The upcoming Meadowlands Seminar 2023, Wednesday – Friday, November 15 – 17, is a wonderful way to pick up new techniques or brush up on existing ones.

I am very excited that New Jersey Supreme Court Justice Michael Noriega will be speaking twice on Friday, November 17. I urge all of you to come and hear him speak at 9:30 a.m. at The Lincoln Lawyer: The Plight of the Private Practitioner program and at 12:00 noon at the Minority Trial Lawyers Caucus Luncheon.

As always, the three-day Meadowlands Seminar 2023 offers programs on a wide variety of topics and includes a top-notch roster of speakers. Keep checking the NJAJ website for the latest details and make sure you register for the seminar. Do not forget to make your hotel reservation.

The Meadowlands Seminar is one of the three main large-scale CLE events put on by the NJAJ Educational Foundation. Mark your calendars now for the Winter Seminar 2024 on Thursday, February 22, 2024 and the Boardwalk Seminar® 2024, taking place Wednesday – Friday, April 17 – 19, 2024.

We also have The CLE store® where you can browse the ever-growing catalog of online programs and webinars and learn from the comfort of your home or office.

Until next month...