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Supreme Court Committees

The Supreme Court benefits from the input of individuals with diverse areas of expertise, experiences, and perspectives interested in assisting the Judiciary through service on committees and other groups. The Court continues to prioritize inclusivity in the composition of its committees, including as to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, and all primary aspects of identity, as well as areas of legal practice, geography, and community involvement, in order to support robust discussion and comprehensive consideration of issues.

Anyone interested in being considered by the Court for appointment should send an email to  Supreme Court Committees at Comments.Mailbox@njcourts.gov .

 Please include the following in your email: your full name, address, email address, telephone number(s), your attorney ID (if applicable), the county or counties in which you practice (for attorneys), and a selection of the committee(s) in which you are interested. If possible, also include a resumé or link to an online profile with your email. Please explain in 2-3 sentences why you want to participate in a Supreme Court committee. See this May 4, 2022 Notice for more information.

On This Page

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Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct

The committee investigates and prosecutes ethics complaints filed against judges under Court Rule 2:15.

Advisory Committee on Professional Ethics

This Committee accepts referrals from the Court and inquiries from members of the New Jersey bar concerning proper conduct for a member of the legal profession under the Rules of Professional Conduct and Court Rules. R. 1:19-1 et seq. It also operates the  Attorney Ethics Research Assistance Hotline   609-815-2924

 

Address:

Advisory Committee on Professional Ethics
Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex
P.O. Box 970
Trenton, New Jersey 08625
609-815-2924

Civil Practice Committee

The committee is responsible for examining and making recommendations for amendments and additions to Parts I, II and IV of the Court Rules, as well as related non-rule changes and responses to statutory amendments and new legislation related to court practice.

Committee on Attorney Advertising

This Committee imposes discipline on attorneys for violation of the attorney advertising rules (RPC 7.1 through RPC 7.5) and issues advisory opinions to New Jersey lawyers regarding attorney advertising. R. 1:19A-1 et seq. Committee staff also operates the  Attorney Ethics Research Assistance Hotline   609-815-2924

 

Address:

Committee on Attorney Advertising
Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex
P.O. Box 970
Trenton, New Jersey 08625

Committee on the Unauthorized Practice of Law

This Committee reviews grievances regarding unauthorized practice of law and also issues advisory opinions. R. 1:22-1 et seq.

Contact:

Committee on the Unauthorized Practice of Law
Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex
25 Market Street
P.O. Box 970
Trenton, New Jersey 08625
609-815-2900 ext. 54965

District Ethics Committees

The core of the disciplinary system is the 18 regional district ethics committees , which are staffed by volunteer attorney and public members. Volunteer attorney members investigate and prosecute cases of standard attorney misconduct before hearing panels consisting of volunteer attorney and public members. Findings of unethical conduct are then forwarded to the Disciplinary Review Board.  District ethics committees meet monthly online or in a hybrid format. To volunteer, submit a volunteer application to the Office of Attorney Ethics. 

District Fee Arbitration Committees

District fee arbitration committees, which comprise attorney and public volunteers, who promote public confidence in the judicial system by resolving disputes over the reasonableness of attorney’s fee. The program minimizes fee litigation in Superior Court and expedites the resolution of fee disputes.  District fee arbitration committees monthly or in a hybrid format. To volunteer, submit a volunteer application to the Office of Attorney Ethics. 

Diversity, Inclusion and Community Engagement

The committee advises the Supreme Court on how the Judiciary can best assure fairness, impartiality and equal access to minority groups, including linguistic minorities; provides guidance to vicinage advisory committees on diversity, inclusion, and community engagement; and conducts studies and other research related to diversity, inclusion, and community engagement issues.

Family Practice Committee

The committee considers family court procedures and recommends amendments to Part V of the Rules of Court to clarify and improve the procedures in the family courts.

Jury Selection in Civil and Criminal Trials Committee

The committee provides oversight of jury selection practices in both civil and criminal trials and provides a ready forum for review of proposed changes that may be generated by court decisions, committee recommendations, or other sources. It is responsible for maintaining the Judiciary’s Bench Manual on Juror Selection.

Lawyers Fund for Client Protection

Appointed by the court to five-year terms, the trustees meet monthly to consider reimbursement of claims of misappropriation of trust funds by former clients of lawyers who have been suspended or disbarred.

Model Civil Jury Charges Committee

The committee prepares and updates model civil jury charges and related judges’ notes. Trial judges and litigants use the model charges to provide juries with accurate and understandable instructions on the law in civil cases.

Model Criminal Jury Charges Committee

The committee develops the appropriate model language for judges to explain to juries the controlling legal principles and questions that they must decide.

Municipal Court Practice Committee

The committee studies possible improvements and modifications to the Part VII Court Rules Governing the Municipal Courts and makes recommendations to the Supreme Court relating to these rules. The committee may also occasionally make non-rule recommendations to the court relating to municipal court practice.

Outside Activities Advisory Committee

The committee has jurisdiction to provide guidance to Judiciary employees on the Code of Conduct for Judiciary Employees. The committee includes six judges, one Surrogate, four Judiciary employees, two practicing attorneys and three public members who serve two-year terms.

Rules of Evidence Committee

The committee studies possible improvements and modifications to the New Jersey Rules of Evidence and makes recommendations to the Supreme Court relating to these Rules.

Special Civil Part Practice Committee

The committee provides the Supreme Court with rule and non-rule recommendations pertaining to the special civil part.

State Domestic Violence Working Group

The working group advises the Supreme Court on systemic issues facing the court system in the area of domestic violence.

Tax Court Committee

The committee includes members of the bench and tax bar, representatives of taxpayers' groups, local, county and state tax administrators, and others concerned with the administration and review of New Jersey tax laws. The committee examines Part VIII of the NJ Court Rules and proposes amendments and new rules to the Supreme Court.

Gender in the Courts Committee

The committee monitors the nature and extent of systemic gender bias in the court system and provides training to the bench, bar and others on the subject of gender bias to help ensure fair treatment in the legal system.