Each week the New Jersey Law Journal has a section highlighting what it considers to be each week’s legal “Winner’s & Losers.” This week one of the “losers” caught our eye. It appears that Six Flags is being sued because its ride made a kid dizzy.
The New Jersey Assembly has scheduled a vote on A883, the employment statistics bill, for this Thursday, April 7. NJCJI is concerned that this bill, which is being sponsored by Assemblywomen Muoio (D-Trenton), Lampitt (D- Voorhees), and Mosquera (D- Turnersville), has the likely unintentional consequence of creating a treasure trove of data on employers which could be put to use by the trial bar to generate litigation.
On April 4, NJCJI’s Alida Kass appeared before the Assembly Women and Children Committee to testify against the “New Jersey Schedules That Work Act.” A1117, which is being sponsored by Asemblywomen Sheila Oliver (D-East Orange) and Pamela Lampitt (D-Voorhees), is another example of well-meaning legislation that would have a broad, negative impact on our state’s business community. If enacted, it would curtail flexible scheduling, and expose businesses to lawsuits over scheduling disputes.
At our recent luncheon with Judge Glenn A. Grant, J.A.D., the Acting Administrative Director of New Jersey Courts, we learned a lot about the administrative side of New Jersey’s court system, and in particular, its rulemaking system.
One of the core tenets of the U.S. legal system is that criminal defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Defendants are not required to lift a finger or open their mouths in their own defense. On the civil side of things, both the plaintiff and the defendant have the responsibility to show up in court and present evidence, but typically the plaintiff has the burden of proving that the wrongs they allege are more likely to have occurred than not.
$115 million dollars. That’s how much money a jury in [...]
On March 15th, the New Jersey Civil Justice Institute hosted its second annual Winter Policy Forum. This year’s event, Rules of Law: The Quiet but Important Role Judicial Administration Plays in our Legal System, featured remarks from Judge Glenn A. Grant, J.A.D., the Acting Administrative Director of New Jersey Courts. Grant gave attendees insight into the court’s rulemaking process, which he says is all about participation, collaboration, and transparency.
The New Jersey Senate once again delayed a vote on the merits of S799, which would require all businesses in the state to offer their employees paid sick leave, choosing instead to amend the bill and hold it for further consideration.
On Monday, March 14, the Assembly voted 54-14-6 in favor of A2750/S992, which has been described as a state-level Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act. The New Jersey Civil Justice Institute opposes this legislation, which is now headed to Governor Christie’s desk, because it goes much further than the federal law and makes changes to the fundamental underpinnings of our legal system.
The New Jersey Civil Justice Institute is thrilled to announce that our chief counsel, Alida Kass, is a finalist for NJBIZ’s General Counsel of the Year Award. The General Counsel of the Year Award honors the state’s most dynamic General Counsels and Chief Legal Officers.
