Chief of Litigation (Court Executive 2b)

Description

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 $103,395.99 to $160,053.17. 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 Office of Attorney Ethics (OAE) is vested with the discretion and authority to exercise exclusive jurisdiction over the investigation and prosecution of ethics matters involving serious and complex issues, including allegations of financial misappropriation of client or trust funds, as well as cases involving criminal conduct on the part of attorneys.

The New Jersey Judiciary is seeking an experienced, versatile and dynamic attorney to work under the general direction of the OAE Director and the First Assistant Ethics Counsel to manage and lead two trial teams. Each team is comprised of six Deputy Ethics Counsels and one Assistant Chief of Litigation.

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

Management and Oversight

• Manages two trial teams comprised of approximately twelve deputy ethics counsel and two assistant chiefs of litigation who investigate and litigate ethics matters involving attorneys admitted to the Bar of the State of New Jersey.
• Evaluates attorney and staff performance in accordance with office policies, procedures and goals.
• Applies excellent analytical skills and critical thinking skills in connection with the detailed review of all complaints and investigation reports.
• Conducts analysis of statistical reports to assess performance of trial teams in achieving time goals provided by R. 1:20-8 and to ensure caseloads are being managed consistent with OAE procedures.
• Supervises paralegals and administrative staff who assist the trial teams in the performance of their functions.
• Counsels and mentors ethics counsel regarding trial and investigation strategy.
• Leads the transition of new hires into the litigation team to ensure that new employees are capable and competent to conduct investigations and hearings as assigned.
• Effectively uses various software (Word, Excel, Teams, Zoom, PowerPoint, Adobe) and other technology, including internal OAE databases, in the performance of duties.
  
  
  

Investigations and Litigation

• Leads by example by personally maintaining a caseload of the most complex and sensitive investigations and disciplinary hearings in the OAE inventory. These cases are of a high impact nature involving the significant misappropriation of funds; vulnerable victims; and difficult, demanding and litigious court users.
• Independently investigates the most factually complex and sensitive ethics grievances to determine whether attorneys have engaged in improper or unethical conduct in violation of the Rules of Professional Conduct, Court Rules, Court Decisions, or Opinions of the Advisory Committee on Professional Ethics. Independently plans and prosecutes ethics complaints charging violations of the Rules of Professional Conduct.
• Appears in appellate proceedings presenting well-developed, written submissions and effective oral presentations before the Disciplinary Review Board and the Supreme Court to prosecute cases.
• Works closely with the Assistant Chiefs of Litigation to ensure positive cooperation and collaboration between Attorneys and Investigators.
• Develops subject mastery of the Court Rules governing the disciplinary process, the Rules of Professional Conduct, and disciplinary precedent from the Disciplinary Review Board and the Supreme Court.
  
  
  

Formulates and Directs the Implementation of OAE Policies

• Formulates and directs the implementation of OAE policies in connection with investigations, litigation, OAE operations and Human Resources.
• Conducts research and analysis on the most complex questions of law and procedure involving ethics and professional responsibility and makes recommendations to the Director.
  
  
  

Training and Professional Development Programs

• Develops and presents high impact continuing legal education programs for Bar groups, and Respondents as ordered by the Court.
• Refines and adapts internal training programs for investigators, attorneys and managers.
• Refines and adapts new employee orientation materials.
• Develops internal training modules on the conduct of investigative interviews.
• Refines and adapts training on techniques for the resolution of disciplinary cases.
• Develops internal training modules on ethics specific trial advocacy targeted for attorneys as presenters and investigators/auditors as witnesses.
  
  
  

Qualifications

Graduation from an American Bar Association-approved law school and five years of professional administrative and/or program management experience which shall have included practice of law as an attorney; and three years of supervision of staff.

License: Attorney-at-Law with a plenary license in the State of New Jersey and having Supreme Court Good Standing Status of Active.

Supervision Substitution for Level 2B Only - Attorney at law preference

For positions that require or prefer the selected candidate be an Attorney-at-Law, the supervision of staff requirement may be waived for those candidates who are Attorneys-at-Law with a plenary license in the State of New Jersey and having Supreme Court Good Standing Status of Active; that have at least three years of experience applicable to the position to which they are applying.

SPECIAL NOTES: Appellate and Trial Litigation experience including jury trials or complex testimonial proceedings is preferred. Demonstrable experience effectively managing individual and group caseloads is preferred.

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)