For Immediate Release
November 2, 2015
Contact: Kate Coscarelli
Senior Managing Director Communications
732-937-7548
The New Jersey State Bar Association’s Nominating Committee invites members to apply for the following positions, which will be open in May 2016. Specific criteria apply for various positions, as indicated below. Positions where incumbent trustees are eligible for reappointment are indicated with an asterisk (*)
NJSBA Officers: One-year terms for positions of president-elect, first vice president, second vice president, treasurer and secretary.
NJSBA Board of Trustees: The following trustee positions:
• County Trustees: One seat (each for a two-year term). Bergen*, Burlington*, Cumberland*, Essex*, Gloucester*, Hudson*, Mercer*, Morris, Passaic, Salem* and Warren*. For purposes of being eligible to be a county trustee, at the time of election trustees shall meet one of the following criteria: (1) the county trustee's home is located in the county; (2) the county trustee's office is located in the county; or (3) the county is the county trustee's primary county of practice and he or she is a member of the county bar association. Article III, 8(d)
• At-Large Trustees: Three seats (each for a two-year term). At-large trustees shall represent segments of the membership not adequately represented on the Board of Trustees. Article III, 8(f). This year three seats are open to members of under-represented groups. The seats are specifically designed as follows: one for an Asian-American* member, one for a Hispanic* member, and one for a senior lawyer over the age of 70.
• Section/Committee Trustees: Three seats, each for a two-year term (all are currently filled by incumbent trustees eligible for reappointment). Section/committee trustees are elected from among the membership of NJSBA sections and committees. Candidates for section/committee trustee must be sponsored by at least one section or committee, which may have been voted on by the entire section or committee, or by the section or committee’s governing body and submit a sponsorship form. A section or committee may sponsor only one candidate during any nominating cycle, and no more than one section/committee trustee sponsored by any one section or committee may sit on the board as a section/committee trustee at any one time. Article III, 8(e), Article IV, 3(d) Sections and committees already represented on the board, which are precluded this year from sponsoring a candidate, include: Amicus Committee, Casino Law Section, Family Law Section, Minorities in the Profession Section and Workers’ Compensation Section.
• Young Lawyers Division Trustee: One seat (for a two-year term). The Young Lawyers Division trustee must be a member of the Young Lawyers Division. Article III, 8(c)
• ABA House of Delegates: Three seats. Two seats are for a full two-year term, which begins at the conclusion of the American Bar Association Annual Meeting, held in Aug. 2016 in San Francisco. The third seat is for a partial term beginning service in Feb. 2016 at the ABA Mid-Year Meeting in San Diego and concluding in Aug. 2017 at the ABA Annual Meeting in New York City. Delegates must be consistent with the constitution, bylaws and rules of the ABA. Article III, 16. Delegates must be available to participate in the annual and mid-year meetings of the ABA at their own expense.
• Nominating Committee: One seat for a two-year term, from the general membership. Article IV, 2(i)
Click here to read the NJSBA Bylaws
Criteria:
Candidates will be evaluated by the Nominating Committee for any of the available positions based on the following criteria (Article IV, 3):
1. Adherence to the highest standards of fairness, professional responsibility, civility and professionalism
2. The quality of prior service to the organized bar;
3. Prior or present leadership positions and degree of effectiveness in these positions;
4. Dedication, capacity for hard work, and ability to fulfill all relevant duties;
5. Awareness of the NJSBA’s internal structure, in particular the duties for the position sought;
6. Demonstrated ability to synthesize and understand extensive information;
7. Demonstrated common sense, good judgment and the ability to articulate positions intelligently;
8. Prior service to the New Jersey State Bar Association and its constituent parts;
9. Prior service to county and specialty bar associations;
10. Extent of practice in the state of New Jersey;
11. Geographical balance of the NJSBA leadership, and
12. Especially for officer positions, demonstrated administrative capability and experience, and recognition and understanding of the essential issues facing the organized bar, the profession, and capacity to lead in a creative, responsible fashion.
Filing Deadline: In order for each candidate to qualify for consideration by the Nominating Committee, a letter of intention for the elective position sought should be submitted as indicated below. Upon receipt of a letter of intention, a questionnaire will be forwarded to the prospective candidate by email. Completed questionnaires must be received by the Committee no later than 12 p.m., Friday, Dec. 18. To facilitate a response, candidates should include an email address in letters of intention. All letters should be directed to:
Daniel Mateo, Esq., Chair, Nominating Committee
New Jersey State Bar Association
New Jersey Law Center
One Constitution Square
New Brunswick, NJ 08901-1520
Attn: Angela C. Scheck, Executive Director
Letters may be emailed as follows: [email protected] or faxed to 732-828-0024. Questions regarding the procedure should be directed to Angela C. Scheck, executive director, at 732-937-7500.