NJSBA Nominating Committee Seeks Candidates for Leadership Positions

The New Jersey State Bar Association’s Nominating Committee invites members to apply for the following positions, which will be open in May 2017. 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) representing the following counties: Atlantic*, Camden*, Cape May*, Essex*, Hunterdon*, Middlesex, Monmouth*, Ocean, Somerset*, Sussex* and Union*. 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, 1)

• At-Large Trustees: Five 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 VI, 4(d)) This year three seats specifically designated: one for an African-American* member, one for and Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender* member, and one for a woman attorney*. Two additional at-targe seats are open to members who belong to any of the following under-represented groups: African-American, Asian American, Hispanic, LGBT, over 70, women and attorneys with disabilities.

• Section/Committee Trustees:  Six seats, (each for a two-year term). All are current trustees eligible for renomination. Section/committee trustees are elected from among the membership of NJSBA sections and committees. Candidates for section/committee trustee must submit an endorsement of at least one sponsoring section or committee, which may have been voted on by the entire section or committee, or by the section or committee’s governing body. 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 VI, 4(c), Article VIII, 3(d)) Sections and committees already represented on the board, which are precluded this year from sponsoring a candidate, include: Civil Trial Bar, Real Property, Trust and Estate Law and Taxation sections. 

• 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 VI, 4(a))

• ABA House of Delegates: Three seats (each for a full, two-year term, beginning at the conclusion of the American Bar Association Annual Meeting in August 2017.) One seat is specifically designated for a young lawyer. Delegates represent the NJSBA consistent with the constitution, bylaws and rules of the ABA. (Article VII) Delegates must be available to participate in the Annual and Mid-Year Meetings of the ABA at their own expense.

• Nominating Committee: Two seats (each for a two-year term.) One seat is for a general member (Article VIII, 2(i)) and the other seat is designated for a member from one of the following under-represented groups: African-American, Asian American, Hispanic, LGBT, over 70, women and attorneys with disabilities. (Article VIII, 2(g)) 

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 VIII, 3(a)):

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,
12. Especially for officer positions, demonstrated administrative capability and experience, and recognition and understanding of the essential issues facing the organized bar and 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 noon, Wednesday, Dec. 21. To facilitate a response, candidates should include an email address in letters of intention.  All letters should be directed to:

Jeffrey Neu, 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