Top News Clips for the Week of August 1-7
A selection of the need-to-know civil justice news for the week of August 1-7.
Making the Case for Expert Testimony Reform in New Jersey
New Jersey’s rules regarding the admissibility and review of expert testimony have remained unchanged since 1991. In this same period, the Federal Rules of Evidence, the Uniform Rules of Evidence, numerous state evidence rules, and our own jurisprudence have all changed to reflect the increased importance and use of expert testimony. The disconnect between the rules on the books and the realities of practice were on full display at the New Jersey Supreme Court’s May 19, 2015 hearing on the Committee on the Rules of Evidence’s latest report.
Rayner Sounds Off on the Lippman v. Ethicon Decision
This New Jersey Supreme Court’s decision in the whistleblower case Lippman v. Ethicon raises serious concerns for some employers. NJCJI President Marcus Rayner explained in several news articles how framing internal, debate-based decision-making as whistleblowing that is actionable under CEPA changes the workplace dynamic.
New Jersey High Court Broadens NJ’s Whistleblower Statute
On July 15, the New Jersey Supreme Court released its opinion in the closely-watched employment law case Lippman v. Ethicon. The issue in the case was whether an employee performing activities as part of his or her core job functions, on that basis alone and without further conduct by the employee, can seek whistleblower protection under the Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA) if they are fired?
Magna Carta Reception with Chief Justice Rabner
The traveling exhibit “Magna Carta: Enduring Legacy 1215-2015” will be at the Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex in Trenton from July 13-24. On July 15, the Federalist Society is hosting a reception formally opening the exhibition, and Chief Justice Stuart Rabner will be the guest of honor and featured speaker.
Top News Clips for the Week of June 6-12
A selection of the need-to-know civil justice news for the week of June 6-12.
SCOTUS Denies Cert in NJ Arbitration Case
The United States Supreme Court has announced that it will not hear the NJCJI-supported appeal of U.S. Legal Services Group, L.P. v. Patricia Atalese. The Court’s decision means the New Jersey Supreme Court’s anti-arbitration ruling in Atalese stands. It also means that the arbitration case pending before the New Jersey Supreme Court is more important than ever.
NJ Supreme Court Sets Oral Argument Schedule for 2015-2016 Term
The New Jersey Supreme Court will hold oral arguments on [...]
State Bar Meeting Provides Overview of New Jersey’s Legal Landscape
Last week the New Jersey State Bar Association held its annual convention in Atlantic City. Over 2,500 judges, lawyers, law clerks and law students headed down the shore in search of CLEs and the scoop on emerging legal issues. In the following post, NJCJI’s Emily Kelchen reveals her insights on issues of interest to the civil justice community that were discussed at the convention.
Business Community Asks Court to Update Evidence Rules
This morning, the New Jersey Civil Justice Institute urged the New Jersey Supreme Court to update the state’s out of date rules on the admissibility of expert opinion testimony during the court’s current rulemaking cycle.