1. Tax Court continues to conduct trials, calendar calls, oral arguments and settlement conferences via remote proceedings (Zoom and/or Teams).
  2. Judiciary Electronic Document Submission- JEDS. The JEDS system is intended for self-represented litigants who need to submit a document to the court.  Attorneys are required to upload case initiating documents in State Tax appeals via JEDS and pay the filing fee by credit card or ACH transaction. After uploading these documents through JEDS the Tax Court Management Office will notify you if you owe additional fees and will upload the documents to the eCourts electronic filing system (eCourts Tax). All subsequent documents in state tax cases are required to be uploaded through eCourts. JEDS is not a replacement for eCourts. All attorneys must file local property tax appeal documents through eCourts. Attorneys may also use JEDS for anything that cannot be filed in eCourts.
  3. Tax Court Management Office as well as Judge’s Chambers are operating remotely the most efficient way to contact either is via email. Email should not be used to file documents or request adjournments.

Our Bergen County Criminal Part Judges are handling Criminal matters by utilizing technology to enable the parties to appear remotely.  In addition, our Criminal Part judges are assigned to handle emergent matters for the month of July. Of course, this schedule is subject to change if the Courthouse opens to the public sooner. The schedule is as follows:

 

JULY

  • 1,2                         Judge Foti/Judge Bachmann
  • 3                            Holiday
  • 6,7                         Judge Vinci/Judge Sattely
  • 8,9                         Judge Catuogno/Judge McGrogan
  • 10,13                     Judge Kazlau /Judge Wilcox
  • 14,15                     Judge Foti/Judge Bachmann
  • 16,17                     Judge Vinci/Judge Sattely
  • 20,21                     Judge Catuogno/Judge McGrogan
  • 22,23                     Judge Kazlau/Judge Wilcox
  • 24,27                     Judge Foti/Judge Bachmann
  • 28,29                     Judge Vinci/Judge Sattely
  • 30,31                     Judge Catuogno/Judge McGrogan

Current Items:                                                             

  • Part Two–Can Lawyers Learn to Retire?                                                         
  • The Fourth is upon us and it is a time to celebrate independence. How fitting is the next and last instalment of this my retirement article. BTW I did receive a number of congratulations on my own voyage to the other side of work and I thank those thoughtful souls for their good wishes. I do note that a few of them are tax lawyers themselves glad to see that I am out of the running for new cases leaving them somewhat of a professional windfall. To them I say good luck.

Can Lawyers Learn to Retire?  Part Two              Ted David, Esq

“You Gotta Know When to Hold Them… Know When to Fold Them”

 – Kenny Rodgers..The Gambler

Read More

Opening Remarks Present BCBA Joseph A. Maurice on June 18, 2020 at the Bergen County Bar Association Virtual Town Hall Meeting

“Hello and good evening.  Welcome everyone to the Bergen County Bar Association’s Town Hall.  Your Association is happy to present this event to our members free of charge.  I do encourage each of you to donate to the Bergen Benefactors at Bergenbar.org.  Your donation will help maintain Association activities during this COVID crisis despite the lack of fundraising events that you have supported over the years.  For those that have donated, thank you very much for your generosity and continued support.

Let us now observe a moment for silent prayer or reflection to be mindful of the events that have given rise to an outcry for social justice across our great nation. Our black community is hurting, we are hurting, our country is hurting.  We must be one voice in declaring that black lives do matter.  Anything less is not justice for all.   I am confident, that as a profession that has sworn an oath to uphold our constitution and the rule of law, that we share a unified resolve to be better, do better and expect better from those around us.  It is our issue and this Association will continue to address it.

We have many esteemed panelists this evening and we appreciate their attendance so I’d like to get started but first I want to share with you a few words on the state of your bar association. Read More

The Supreme Court by Orders dated May 14, 2020 and June 4, 2020 authorized a pilot program for virtual grand jury sessions, starting in Bergen and Mercer Counties. By Order dated June 9, 2020, the Court expanded that pilot program to also permit selection (empanelment) of grand juries in a virtual format.

In both pilot counties, matters have been presented and indictments returned. Based on the results in the two pilot counties, the Division of Criminal Justice in the Department of Law and Public Safety expressed interest in conducting State Grand Jury proceedings in a virtual format. Accordingly, the Court has authorized the expansion of the virtual grand jury pilot program to enable existing State Grand Jury panels to reconvene in a virtual format.

Technology funded by the Attorney General and configured and administered by the Judiciary will be supplied to State grand jurors where necessary to enable participation in the virtual grand jury proceeding.

The Court’s June 25, 2020 Order is attached.

/s/ Hon. Glenn A. Grant, J.A.D.

Acting Administrative Director of the Courts

Dated: June 25, 2020

NOTICE Virtual Grand Jury Pilot Program – Expansion to State Grand Jury.pdf

The Supreme Court has issued its Fifth Omnibus Order on Court Operations and Legal Practice during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. A copy of the Order is attached.

This June 25, 2020 Fifth Omnibus Order follows the format of the earlier Omnibus Orders. It continues certain suspensions and extensions through July 12, 2020 and affirms that other provisions remain in full force and effect.

The Fifth Omnibus Order concludes the restrictions on the Office of Foreclosure as established in earlier Omnibus Orders, meaning that in addition to non-dispositive motions (e.g., motions to substitute plaintiff, motions to enter default, motions for surplus funds and motions to correct defendant), the Office of Foreclosure now may recommend judgments or dispositive motions received on or after March 1, 2020.

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues and based on developments in the coming weeks, the Court will revisit the provisions of the Fifth Omnibus Order and make adjustments as appropriate.

Questions about this notice or the Court’s Fifth Omnibus Order may be directed to the Office of the Administrative Director of the Courts at (609) 376-3000.

/s/ Hon. Glenn A. Grant, J.A.D.

Acting Administrative Director of the Courts

Dated: June 25, 2020

NOTICE Fifth Omnibus Order on Court Operations and Legal Practice.pdf

In accordance with Governor Murphy’s previous Executive Orders, all N.J. Workers’ Compensation Courts shall continue to be closed to the public until Monday, July 13, 2020.

 

All forty-three (43) full-time Judges of Compensation previously assigned by the Director and Chief Judge shall continue to hear as many workers’ compensation matters as possible in their assigned vicinage by telephonic and video conferencing, including emergent and non-emergent matters, such as, trials, pre-trial conferences, motions for medical and temporary benefits, general motions, and settlements.

 

There will be no in-person Workers’ Compensation Court proceedings except limited ongoing trials and motions for medical and temporary benefits, in which case masks shall be worn by all parties and social distancing shall be enforced.

 

Court offices will remain closed for in-person submissions. Filings will continue to be accepted electronically through COURTS On-line.

 

Please contact each individual workers’ compensation court if you have questions about a scheduled hearing, motion, conference, or other matter by email, fax, or telephone.

 

Hon. Russell Wojtenko, Jr.

Director and Chief Judge of Compensation

N.J. Department of Labor & Workforce Development

Division of Workers’ Compensation

NOTICE TO THE BAR

The Supreme Court by Orders dated May 14, 2020 and June 4, 2020 authorized a pilot program for virtual grand jury sessions, starting in Bergen and Mercer Counties.

By Order dated dated June 9, 2020, the Court expanded that pilot program to also permit selection (empanelment) of grand juries in a virtual format, either in the initial pilot counties or in other counties. To bridge the digital divide, technology configured and administered by the Judiciary will be supplied to grand jurors where necessary to enable participation in the virtual selection using a smartphone or other technology with camera functionality, although a larger-screen device must be used for grand jury sessions.

The Court’s June 9, 2020 Order is attached.

/s/ Hon. Glenn A. Grant, J.A.D.

Acting Administrative Director of the Courts

Dated: June 12, 2020

Virtual Grand Jury Pilot Program – Expansion to Grand Jury Selection (In Addition to Sessions).pdf

Current Items:                                                             

  1. Can Lawyers Learn to Retire?

1). Let me first say your stimulus check is not taxable but your unemployment is. Now with that bit of tax info in place I want to let you in on an article which I wrote for the Practical Tax Lawyer. It may hit home these days if you are wondering whether all this legal stuff has just about driven you crazy and you think you may be ready to hit the silks. It’s too long for a single dose so look for the rest next month..or better yet subscribe to this ALI-CLE  publication yourself. So here it is:

Read More