Counsel to Committee on Character (Court Executive 2A)
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- Description
If another position becomes available within five months of this recruitment’s closing date, the applicant pool from this posting may be used to fill additional vacancies.
When you come to work for New Jersey Judiciary you will join an 8500-member strong TEAM that operates with the highest standards of independence, integrity, fairness and quality service. You will be engaged with work that has purpose, meaning and makes a difference in lives of the public we serve. We work hard every day to build the public’s trust and confidence in our court system, which includes issues such as bail reform, marijuana decriminalization and recovery court. Whether it be in a courtroom, an administrative office, a courthouse training room, an IT office or in the field, our Judiciary workforce is improving the lives of countless individuals and families every day. We honor the dignity and individualism of each member of our organization while fostering professionalism and continuous improvement in our work.
SALARY: The salary range for this position is $99,370.93 to $156,207.04. For newly hired individuals, the starting salary will normally be at the minimum of the salary range. For current Judiciary employees, salary upon promotion or advancement will be an increase of 5% of base salary, not to exceed the maximum of the range, or the minimum salary of the band/level, whichever is greater.
The Judiciary offers a strong opportunity for growth.
The Supreme Court Clerk’s Office is seeking a highly motivated and collaborative leader to serve as Counsel to the Committee on Character comprising 50 to 60 attorneys appointed by the Supreme Court who serve pro bono with responsibility for ensuring the certification of character and fitness for bar applicants in accordance with Supreme Court approved regulations. This position also provides direct supervision of five staff members (three administrative professionals and two staff attorneys) responsible for the day-to-day operations in support of the committee’s work as well as the overall bar admissions process.
Under the general direction of the Executive Manager (Court Executive 2B) of the Board of Bar Examiners and Committee on Character, this individual will employ strong analytical, managerial, and legal counseling skills to sustain effective policies and procedures, administer relevant projects and programs, and ensure the committee's actions are legally sound and align with relevant regulations in a dynamic, fast-paced process.
REMOTE WORK: The Judiciary currently offers a hybrid work schedule, and this position may qualify for up to 2 days of remote work outside of Judiciary buildings. To participate in this program, in addition to installing a multifactor authentication app on your phone or tablet, you will be required to have high speed home internet access.
- Example of Duties
- Supervise and direct five staff members dedicated to facilitating the work of the Committee on Character in accordance with the Committee’s Regulations. Provide procedural guidance as well as performance feedback to ensure proficiency and consistent quality customer service.
- In accordance with policies approved by the Supreme Court, i.e., Regulations Governing the Committee on Character, recommend and vet proposed members of the bar for appointments to the Committee as needed; conduct new membership orientation training; develop training materials as necessary. Prepare agendas for the bi-monthly meetings with the seven-member Statewide Panel of the Committee on Character, i.e., the policy board.
- Monitor and facilitate the process of timely certification of applicants for admission to the bar by the appointed attorneys in accordance with the Committee’s Regulations including oversight, and development as needed, of an online portal through which the attorneys access applicants’ required documentation including the certified Character and Fitness Questionnaire.
- When a Committee member requests a detailed investigation of facts and circumstances bearing on a candidate's fitness to practice law, or in cases when withholding of certification and admission with conditions is recommended, oversee all such investigations or hearing cases (original, appeal, and reapplication) including appointing of panel members, assuring proper investigation has been completed, supervising arrangements to assure an orderly process, attending or assuring attendance by a staff attorney for each hearing, drafting reports for the panels, and assuring that proper procedures are followed for a fair hearing. Ensure proper handling of a stipulation of conditions by consent by the Statewide Panel and staff in accordance with the Committee’s Regulations—through the Court’s review and approval. Examine petitions for Termination from Conditions and present to the Statewide Panel for review possible submission to the Court for a determination. Prepare and facilitate motions to the Court on admissions out-of-time and abandonment as required.
- Assist Committee members by providing advice and information concerning individual application files or general policy issues.
- Review the Regulations Governing the Committee on Character at the request of the Statewide Panel or Court and advise on possible policy issues and consideration of changes in the law or the other directives, draft suggested revisions to the Regulations, Court Rules, certified Character and Fitness Questionnaire and related documents for Statewide Panel and Court consideration.
- Research and respond to inquiries from other jurisdictions (providing certified authorization and release) concerning mutual bar applicants; review historical bar application files as needed; work collaboratively with all New Jersey attorney regulatory offices to facilitate comprehensive responses.
- Maintain communication with law schools regarding policies that impact on the eventual admission to the bar; conduct orientation sessions for first year students on character and fitness issues.
- Oversee use of court reporters, stenographers, transcripts to ensure operational needs and regulatory policies are satisfied within prescribed budget and functional requirements.
Regular and predictable physical presence at the worksite is an essential function of this position.- Qualifications
- Graduation from an American Bar Association-approved law school and five years of professional administrative and/or program management experience; three of which shall have included practice of law as an attorney.
License: Attorney-at-Law with a plenary license in the State of New Jersey and having Supreme Court Good Standing Status of Active. - Supplemental Information
- Driver's License: Appointee will be required to possess a driver's license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle is necessary to perform essential duties of the position.
Authorization to Work: US citizenship is not required. Selected candidate must be authorized to work in the US according to Department of Homeland Security, US Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations.
Special Note: Newly hired employees must agree to a thorough background check that will include fingerprinting. All data received will be kept in strict confidence except to inform the individual of the findings and what action will be taken as a result of this information.
Residency Law: In accordance with N.J.S.A. 52:14-7 (L. 2011, Chapter 70), the "New Jersey First Act," all persons newly hired by the Judiciary within one year must establish, and then maintain, principal residence in the State of New Jersey. Any person may request an exemption from that requirement from the Employee Residency Review Committee in the Department of Labor & Workforce Development on the basis of either hardship or employer critical need.
HOW TO APPLY:
The NJ Judiciary requires all applicants to complete the application process fully and as instructed. All applicants must complete the work experience and education sections and attach any required documents. Applications must describe all relevant work experience in detail, beginning with your current or most recent job, including military service (indicate rank), internships and job-related volunteer work, if applicable. Use a separate section to describe each position. Applicants who indicate "see resume" or enter their initials to acknowledge that they have skipped the Work History and Education sections will not be considered, unless they do not possess any education history or work experience. Only applicants that follow the application instructions and submit completed applications will be considered.
The New Jersey Judiciary consists of: the Supreme Court, the Superior Court including the Appellate Division and the Trial Court of the 15 vicinages in New Jersey, the Tax Court and the Municipal Court System. The Administrative Office of the Courts provides technical assistance, operational support, training, research and development, budget and personnel coordination, and development and operation of information systems for the Courts of New Jersey.The Judiciary of New Jersey is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action
Employer Committed to Ensuring an Open Door to Justice
NeoGov applicant support at 1-877-204-4442 (toll free call)
Monday through Friday, 6:00 AM to 6:00 PM Mountain Time (MT)
- $99,370.93 - $156,207.04/year
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