Notice - Attorney Succession Planning - Next Steps to Support Attorneys & the Public

The Supreme Court has authorized additional efforts to encourage New Jersey attorneys to designate a successor attorney to handle the primary attorney's clients and other responsibilities, either on a temporary basis or to wind down the attorney's practice. The Court's decision followed a series of listening sessions in 2024, publication of potential succession planning strategies, and consideration of the comments received in response to a January 15, 2025 notice to the bar. 

Collection of Information Via Attorney Registration 

The plan is to request basic information from attorneys during the annual online registration process, likely starting in 2026. Attorneys would be asked about any designated successor counsel, or any person (not necessarily an attorney) with knowledge of the location of the attorney's files and records. 

The collection of this information would advance three critical purposes: (1)to remind attorneys about their existing professional responsibilities; (2) to encourage them to engage in succession planning; and (3) to collect information about individuals already designated by attorneys to serve as a successor.

Compilation of Resources for Attorneys 

The Judiciary is in the process of updating, expanding, and posting in one place resources for attorneys to develop a succession plan and for attorneys who serve as a successor. Further information will be provided in a future notice to the bar. 

Questions on this notice may be directed to the Office of the Administrative Director of the Courts at (609) 376-3000.