States of the Judiciary Marked by Emotion and Accolades for Justice Wallace By Barbara S. Straczynski May 21, 2010, 10:43 AM
At the States of the Judiciary at each Annual Meeting and Convention, attendees expect reports on the federal and state courts. But this year’s session was capped off by emotion and three standing ovations for New Jersey Supreme Court Associate Justice John Wallace. Chief Justice Stuart Rabner talked about Justice Wallace, noting that he brought a wealth of experience, and then some, when he ascended to the bench. Captain of the US Army, coach of little league team, and more. The list goes on and on. A sense of devotion to family. His service was marked by all those things. The wisdom that he consistently displayed anchored at all times by a sense of grace with his hallmark smile. Justice John Wallace is characterized by a lifetime of integrity and character that made him a role model for many. Allen Etish, NJSBA immediate past president, spoke next with a noticeable tremor in his voice. Mr. Etish really brought out the emotion that everyone in the Theatre felt. He met this “remarkable man” when he was a municipal court judge. He noted Justice Wallace’s ability to relate to people, lawyers and judges. “The best thing he ever conveyed to me was his smile, a little twinkle in his eye that he understood your case, and he had your clients in mind. John has brought bright sunshine to all of you, and the citizens in this state. I am proud to include him as a friend. We salute him. I have a resolution passed last week at our board of trustees meeting,” said Mr. Etish. Read the resolution online. He read the last paragraph of the resolution as he presented it to Justice Wallace, and added, “He says it all. He is it all. Every heart in this room goes out to you,” and for the second time, the audience rose to their feet and broke into applause. Justice John Wallace quietly rose to the podium on the stage and spoke in his quiet, humble style. “I just want to thank you very much. You’ve made the last two weeks bearable. I’ve loved it. It’s been a wonderful life. I’ll never forget those days in Washington Township also Allen. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. And then came the third standing ovation. Newly installed NJSBA President Richard Steen began the introductions for the States of the Judiciary, presenting Chief Judge Garrett Brown and Chief Justice Stuart Rabner. US District Court for the District of New Jersey Chief Judge Garrett Brown reported that with New Jersey in the top three for patents in the nation and first in pharmaceutical patents, he appointed a Patent Committee that has garnered interest from other courts in the country. With almost 8000 cases filed in federal court, 7000 civil and 926 criminal, terminations were at 8200, so the New Jersey is ahead of the curve, he reported, and added that filings and resolutions are the highest since he became chief judge five years ago. Chief Judge Brown said that trial has not vanished from the District of New Jersey. In 2009, New Jersey had some of the lengthiest trials for both civil and criminal cases. Judges put in over 7600 hours on the bench including 4200 in trial. He said the hard work of our judges is paying off. The US District has tried to enhance jury service with E-juror. It allows 24 hours access for jurors to complete forms, query their jury service, recheck and get information about jury service. The public expects us to do it, he said. ADR remains strong. The chief judge reported, with 19% of all new filings placed in arbitration programs. The federal courts are in the dispute resolution business whether alternate or otherwise, said Chief Judge Brown, but he added, a prompt realistic trial date is the best resolution. With the present economy, the Chief Judge left a special message for new attorneys. “Times are tough, they’ll get better. We’ve had bad times before in the mid1990s, so remember why you wanted to be a lawyer. It’s a great noble profession. You have helping colleagues and a supporting bar association. You will succeed. Chief Justice Rabner addressed the assembly next and began by talking about the relationship between the judiciary and the State Bar Association, and the important effect that it has on our court system. “What an impressive meeting and convention,” he said. “Attendance is stronger than ever. The sessions cover a broad spectrum of issues and I am sorry that I missed the session on the Supreme Court. It included past and present justices. I’ve been telling my wife what a long road it is -- who knew you could get all that in 90 minutes,” which the audience acknowledged with laughter. The State Bar and the Judiciary strive to work together on a variety of projects to improve things for the legal community and the people of our state. The chief justice continued to talk about MCLE and how the Court’s committee listened when the State Bar asked if lawyers could self-report. They also asked that county and State Bars could run courses for their members, and now this is a reality. The Judiciary reached out to leaders of the Bar to bring law clerks to the Annual Meeting and Convention and there were 282 law clerks registered, and with walk-ins it went to 300 law clerks attending this conference. “I hope it starts a new tradition, and one that can be extended to federal law clerks,” sadi the Chief Justice. . The partnership provided a direct benefit to the public by increasing volutneerism to help the public. It came about with the increase in foreclosures and New Jersey initiated the first statewide mediation program to address this problem. Within a few months of announcing the program, 800 lawyers raised their hands to help. We have 1100 attys who work with our family part. “These programs all show how the judiciary is stronger today because of the volunteerism and assistance of the Bar, and especially important with scarce resources that we are now experiencing in the midst of extraordinary financial difficult times,” he said. The state’s financial situation has caused the Judiciary to defer IT expenses. “We ahd not choice,” said Chief Justice Rabner. The Judiciary expects a reduction in staff, another deferral of IT expenditures. Judge Grant, judges and staff have been exploring ideas for additional cost savings. “I am confident we will meet the short term fiscal needs, and the needs of the people. The judges and staff will help us get through the 1.1 million filings we will get this year,” he said.. Chief Justice Rabner talked about the Veterans initiative, which began as a pilot program in two counties and has spread to 10 vicinages. The program identifies veterans who find themselves in the criminal justice system as a defendant in Municipal or Superior Court. It provides treatment, counseling, benefits, and matches the veteran with a mentor, another veteran. This year the project expanded and will expand again in the year ahead The program seeks to improve the lives of these individuals so they don’t turn up again in the court system. He talked about the Fugitive Safe Surrender Program, where in four days, 4200 fugitives surrendered peacefully in a church in Newark. Judges and staff in Essex County worked late to make this a success. The program could not have succeeded without them, acknowledged the Chief Justice. “The judiciary will continue to live up to our responsibility to serve the public, to creatively address needs as they arise and we will continue to find ways to do more with less,” said Chief Justice Rabner.
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