Assistant Deputy Ethics Counsel (Attorney 1)

The applicant pool from this posting may be used to fill additional vacancies within five months of this recruitment’s closing date.

About the role

When you come to work for New Jersey Judiciary, you will join an 8,500-member team that operates with the highest standards of independence, integrity, fairness, and quality service. The work has purpose and meaning, making a difference in the lives of the public served. The Judiciary addresses critical issues such as bail reform, marijuana decriminalization, and recovery court. The Office of Attorney Ethics (OAE) acts as the investigative and prosecutorial arm of the Supreme Court of New Jersey, preserving public confidence in the Bar and protecting the public from lawyers who fail to meet professional standards.

This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the newly created Readmission, Motions, and Monitoring Unit. The role involves responding to petitions from disbarred and suspended attorneys seeking readmission or reinstatement, writing and arguing appellate-style motions before the Disciplinary Review Board, and ensuring compliance with conditions of final discipline.

Responsibilities

• Manage a diverse caseload of disciplinary matters, including motions for final and reciprocal discipline, post-disciplinary monitoring, and R. 1:20-20 compliance matters.
• Assist OAE executive management and the Chief of Readmission, Motions, and Monitoring in developing and improving statewide disciplinary processes.
• Investigate and prosecute attorneys who violate the Rules of Professional Conduct.
• Appear in all appellate proceedings before the Disciplinary Review Board and Supreme Court related to matters where attorneys have been convicted of criminal conduct or disciplined in other jurisdictions.
• Prepare memoranda on procedural or factually complex ethics matters for the Director’s review, recommending action for disposition of charges of unethical conduct.
• Assist in the review and response to petitions for reinstatement and readmission.
• Monitor compliance with disciplinary conditions as ordered by the Supreme Court.
• Prosecute disciplinary matters virtually and in person before special ethics adjudicators or hearing panels.
• Prepare investigation reports, complaints, file motions, write briefs, and conduct legal research in assigned disciplinary cases.
• Appear before the Supreme Court of New Jersey, the Attorney Regulatory Board, and the Disciplinary Review Board.
• Address other disciplinary matters as assigned by the Director, First Assistant Ethics Counsel, or the Chief of Readmission, Appeals, and Motions.

Regular and predictable physical presence at the worksite is an essential function of this position.

Requirements

• Graduation from an American Bar Association-approved law school.
• One year of experience in legal research and analyzing and evaluating legal documents, rules, regulations, and/or legislation.
• Appellate experience before the Appellate Division and Supreme Court is strongly preferred.
• Substitution: One year of experience as a Judicial Law Clerk may substitute for one year of the required experience.
• License: Attorney-at-Law with a plenary license in the State of New Jersey and Supreme Court Good Standing Status of Active.

Skills

• Highly developed organizational, decision-making, interpersonal, and conflict management skills.
• Highly developed legal research and writing skills.

Pay

The salary range for this position is $81,866.60 to $127,586.80 for Schedule A, and $81,866.60 to $121,207.46 for Schedule B.

• 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.
• Judiciary employees hired prior to June 3, 2014, are considered Schedule A. Newly hired individuals and Judiciary employees hired on or after June 3, 2014, are considered Schedule B.

Schedule

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, you will need high-speed home internet access and must install a multifactor authentication app on your phone or tablet.

Supplemental Information

• Driver’s License: Required 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.
• Background Check: Newly hired employees must agree to a thorough background check, including fingerprinting. All data received will be kept in strict confidence.
• Residency Law: In accordance with N.J.S.A. 52:14-7 (L. 2011, Chapter 70), all persons newly hired by the Judiciary within one year must establish and maintain principal residence in the State of New Jersey. Exemptions may be requested on the basis of hardship or employer critical need.