Glenn A. Grant, J.A.D., Acting Administrative Director of the New Jersey Courts/Photo by Carmen Natale

On April 16, Judge Glenn Grant, acting administrative director of the courts, wrote to the New Jersey State Bar Association, with copies to the vicinages, reiterating the “long-standing practice of prioritizing matters where an attorney is appearing pro bono, that is, of calling those matters first on any particular calendar…” Judge Grant indicated that this policy did not seem to be followed “from vicinage to vicinage and judge to judge.” We take this opportunity to remind our readers of this policy that recognizes the invaluable contribution so many New Jersey lawyers make in representing clients without fee, and the major, albeit rewarding, demand on their time that this requires. This policy, if adhered to, could actually serve as an incentive to lawyers to take on more pro bono work. Judge Grant pointed out, however, that implementing this policy is dependent on individual pro bono attorneys advising judges or court staff that they will be appearing in a matter without fee. This is very important advice to lawyers appearing in court pro bono, and will further facilitate their valued work. Those who are interested in assisting with the important work of pro bono representations should review the wide variety of pro bono opportunities offered by the 122 pro bono service providers that have been approved by the Supreme Court and listed here.