New Jersey Senate Bill S3963

New Jersey 2022-2023 Regular Session

• Introduced: 6/15/23
• Refer: 6/15/23

Caption

Permits retired judges to practice law while receiving pension or retirement allowance.

Impact

If enacted, S3963 would significantly alter the legislative framework governing the practice of law by retired judges. The bill would enable retired judges, who are currently barred from practicing law while benefitting from retirement compensation, to re-enter the legal profession under specific conditions set by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. This change would potentially increase the availability of legal expertise in various contexts, from pro bono work to consultations on legal matters, thereby enhancing the legal resources available in New Jersey.

Summary

Bill S3963, introduced in the New Jersey Legislature, seeks to amend existing laws to allow retired judges to practice law while receiving their pensions or retirement allowances. The bill specifically aims to remove the prohibition that currently prevents retired judges from engaging in legal practice before state courts. This change comes as part of broader efforts to both leverage the expertise of retired judges and address workforce shortages within the legal system by making use of experienced personnel who have formally exited the judiciary.

Contention

While the bill is expected to garner support from various legal associations and organizations concerned with accessibility to legal services, there may be points of contention regarding the implications of allowing retired judges to practice law concurrent with receiving a pension. Critics may argue that this practice could lead to conflicts of interest or an undervaluing of active judges' roles. Additionally, there may be concerns about how the implementation of the bill will be managed and whether it will inadvertently create disparities in the legal field between active judges and retired ones who return to practice.