Deputy Counsel

About the Role The New Jersey Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection (the Fund) seeks an experienced attorney to serve as Deputy Counsel. The role combines litigation, policy work and governance, supporting the Fund’s mission to recover client trust monies stolen by disciplined or deceased attorneys and to maintain proper records for the Fund’s Board of Trustees. The Deputy Counsel will be a key member of the Fund’s Legal Team and will report to the Deputy Director, working with the Director, Senior Counsel, investigators, paralegals and staff. The position offers a hybrid work schedule with opportunities for remote work up to two days per week.

What You'll Do

• Represent the Fund in Superior Court and Bankruptcy Court proceedings, preparing all necessary pleadings.
• Work with the Fund’s Investigator and paralegal staff to identify assets and secure repayment.
• Conduct negotiations and propose repayment plans to the Fund’s Trustees based on respondents’ financial situation.
• Monitor respondent status (residence, employment, assets) to increase Fund recoveries.
• Monitor and enforce compliance with respondent payment plans.
• Represent the Fund at Comprehensive Enforcement Program hearings.
• Compile Trustee meeting minutes, determination lists and other proceeding records.
• Analyze claims for precedential value and track updates to revise the Fund’s Code of Policy annually.
• Prepare banking reconciliations for the Fund’s checking and emergent accounts in conjunction with the Fund’s accountant.
• Monitor status of filed “No-Discipline” claims and recommend conversion or dismissal of claims as needed.
• Attend and/or conduct presentations at local and national conferences as part of the Fund’s Legal Team.
• Regular and predictable physical presence at the worksite is an essential function of this position.

What We're Looking For

• Graduation from an American Bar Association-approved law school and one year of experience in legal research and analyzing and evaluating legal documents, rules, regulations, and/or legislation. Substitution: one year of experience as a Judicial Law Clerk may be substituted for one year of the required experience.
• License: Attorney-at-Law with a plenary license in the State of New Jersey and in Good Standing.
• Driver's License: Appointees will be required to possess a driver’s license valid in New Jersey only if the operation of a vehicle is necessary to perform essential duties.
• Authorization to Work: US citizenship is not required; selected candidate must be authorized to work in the US according to DHS/USCIS regulations.
• Residency: In accordance with the New Jersey First Act (N.J.S.A. 52:14-7), all newly hired Judiciary employees within one year must establish and maintain a principal residence in New Jersey, with possible exemptions upon request to the Employee Residency Review Committee.
• Background checks: Newly hired employees must agree to a thorough background check that will include fingerprinting.

Nice to Have

• (No additional preferred qualifications were specified in the posting.)

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary range: Schedule A $81,866.60 to $127,586.80 and Schedule B $81,866.60 to $121,207.46. Starting salary for new hires is at the minimum of the range. For current Judiciary employees promoted or advanced, salary increases by 5% of base salary up to the maximum of the range, or the minimum salary of the band/level, whichever is greater. Prior to June 3, 2014, some employees were classified as Schedule A; on/after June 3, 2014, employees are Schedule B.
• Remote/hybrid work: Hybrid schedule with up to 2 days remote; requires installation of a multifactor authentication app and high-speed home internet.
• The Judiciary emphasizes growth and professional development.