Solos Unchained—The state Supreme Court lifted the rule that had required New Jersey attorneys to maintain fixed physical locations for the practice of law. The State Bar Association supported the change in the “bona fide office” rule, which president Kevin McCann and other critics called an untoward financial burden on solos, part-timers and small-firm practitioners, including women engaged in child rearing. But the change did not sever all earthly bonds. Lawyers must keep a toehold by designating one or more locations where regulators can inspect client files and business and financial records on short notice, where papers may be served and where delivery can be made by mail and by hand.
February
 Tina Renna |
Bloggers’ Rights—A Union County good-government advocate caused an extension of New Jersey’s Shield Law, which protects newspersons from having to reveal their sources or other information related to the news-gathering process. When Tina Renna posted on “The County Watchers” website that 16 county employees had made personal use of county generators after Hurricane Sandy, the county prosecutor issued a subpoena seeking their identities. After a two-day hearing, Superior Court Judge Karen Cassidy quashed it, holding that a blogger’s advocacy for a cause does not preclude a finding that she may have the alternate purpose of disseminating news.
March
 Alpha Center |
