The Supreme Court announced that it has granted review in State v. Vega-Larregui. Pursuant to Rule 2:12-1, the Court granted direct certification of a portion of defendant’s motion to dismiss the indictment that was pending in the Law Division, Mercer County. The certification is limited to “defendant’s constitutional challenge to the indictment returned by a Grand Jury proceeding that was conducted remotely.” Other aspects of the motion to dismiss “remain pending in the Superior Court, which shall retain jurisdiction to consider those matters.” The Court...

Delaney v. Dickey, ___ N.J. ___ (2020). Justice Albin’s opinion for a unanimous Supreme Court in this case today is an important one for attorneys and their clients. The Court held that if an attorney includes in a retainer agreement a provision that legal malpractice claims must proceed in arbitration rather than in court, the attorney “must generally explain to a client the benefits and disadvantages of arbitrating a prospective dispute between the attorney and client. Such an explanation is necessary because, to make an informed decision, the client must have a basic...

Zahl v. Eastland, ___ N.J. Super. ___ (App. Div. 2020). [Disclosure: I have represented the defendants in this matter.] Judge Messano’s opinion for the Appellate Division in this case today is the second time that this case came before the Appellate Division. As discussed here, the prior opinion reversed a seven-figure default judgment against defendants, a Mississippi attorney and his law firm, and remanded the case for further proceedings, including as to whether New Jersey state courts had personal jurisdiction over any of the defendants. Today’s opinion addresses an important...