TOP STORIES
Judge Clarkson Fisher Jr.
Image: The Star-Ledger
No Show at Parental-Rights Hearing Can't Be Defaulted if Represented
Judges hearing parental-rights termination cases should not enter default judgments merely because represented defendants fail to appear, a state appeals court says.
DECISION OF INTEREST
N.J. SUPREME COURT
Patel v. New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission
Under N.J.S.A. 39:4-97.2(e), the exemption provision for assessing motor vehicle penalty points for an unsafe driving offense that occurs more than five years after "the prior offense," "the prior offense" refers only to the most recent preceding offense.
LAW & BUSINESS
ABA Offers Firm-Switching Lawyers Guidance on Avoiding Conflicts
When lawyers change firms, they should disclose limited information about prior clients in order to prevent conflicts, an American Bar Association panel says in an opinion aimed at resolving a clash between competing ethical mandates.
Chartwell Law Offices Open Branch in New Jersey, Acquiring Medford Firm
The Chartwell Law Offices of Valley Forge, Pa., have opened a branch in Medford, N.J., by taking on new partner Harry Blackburn and absorbing his eponymous firm.
PERS Vote on Prosecutors' Pensions Violated Due Process
Trustees of the Public Employees' Retirement System must vote a second time on a plan to increase pension contributions by prosecutors from 7.5 percent to 8.5 percent of their salary ? this time giving proper notice to prosecutors.
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
MOST VIEWED ARTICLES
- U.S. Judge Recuses From Suit Over Faux Firm Web Site
- Trial Gaffes Require Reversal of Murder Conspiracy Conviction
- Drunken Driving and Breath-Test Refusal Don't Mix, Court Says
- Litigation Privilege Protects Lawyers From Suit Over Their Conduct of Suit
- Insurers Can't Sue Doctors for Fraud Over Referrals to Facilities They Own
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT
OTHER STORIES FROM THE NEWSWIRE
- Eight More U.K. Top 30 Firms Size Up Legal Outsourcing Moves
- Lovells to Move Farther Away From Lockstep Under Planned Merger With Hogan Hartson
- Coudert Estate Pursues Fees Earned From Former Clients
- N.Y. Judges Stake Out Narrow Grounds in Upholding Same-Sex Benefits
- Survey Finds Revenue, Profits Down at Law Firms
EDITOR'S PICKS
Superior Court Judicial Survey
The Law Journal's fifth cyclical survey of N.J. lawyers about the quality of judging on the state's trial bench.
The Bar Report
News by and about the New Jersey State Bar Association.
2009 New Jersey Legal Almanac
A handy reference guide to the state's legal community - from private firms and public agencies to corporate legal departments.
COLUMNS AND FEATURES
MORE NEWS STORIES
AIG May Enforce an Arbitration Pact Signed by Subsidiary, N.J. Court Says
A state appeals court hands American International Group a big victory by holding that the state's preference for arbitration means a nonsignatory may enforce an arbitration clause in a contract signed by a subsidiary.
New Legal Services Program Helping Low-Income Veterans With Claims
Legal Services of New Jersey has launched a project to assist the growing ranks of disabled veterans with claims for government benefits.
Drunken Driving and Breath-Test Refusal Don't Mix, Court Says
A state appeals court has thrown cold water on a type of plea bargain that has been used to bypass New Jersey's mandatory seven-month license suspension for drivers' refusals to take breath tests for alcohol consumption.
Litigation Privilege Protects Lawyers From Suit Over Their Conduct of Suit
The litigation privilege that protects parties and their lawyers from liability for statements in court applies equally well to actions that lawyers take in furtherance of a case, a state appeals court says.
Appellate Watch
Bryant's Lawyers Challenge Ban on Paying Fees With Campaign Funds
Lawyers for former state Sen. Wayne Bryant, who is serving a four-year prison sentence for bribery and corruption, are asking the state Supreme Court to overturn ELEC's ban on tapping into the $640,000 remaining in his campaign war chest so they can be paid their fees.
SPECIAL REPORTS
Estate Planning and Elder Law
If determining what potential beneficiaries suffer an addiction problem is not on your attorney's checklist of items to review with a client, then it should be added immediately. It will help remove any issues of family conflict from the process. Also, a look at IRS-provided guidance to taxpayers on their ability to roll over on any required minimum distributions received in 2009 from certain qualified retirement plans. Additionally, advice tips on issues that practitioners should be aware of when advising clients regarding an estate plan that involves real estate.
PRACTICE PAPERS
Real Estate
A Mortgage Executed Under an Unrecorded Power of Attorney
Family Law
A Triumph for Parents and Judicial Efficiency
WHAT'S COMING?
In the November 30 issue:
BUSINESS LAW
The Obama policy shift away from preemption means that state attorneys and regulators will become more active in areas traditionally dominated by federal agencies such as financial and securities regulations.
INTERNET LAW
Recent FTC regulations suggest that bloggers and advertisers will face injunctions and orders to reimburse consumers for financial losses stemming from inappropriate product reviews.
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