Notice – Supreme Court Adoption of 2023 Attorney Discipline Budget; Establishment of 2023 Annual Attorney Assessment

NOTICE TO THE BAR 

SUPREME COURT ADOPTION OF 2023 ATTORNEY DISCIPLINE BUDGET; ESTABLISHMENT OF 2023 ANNUAL ATTORNEY ASSESSMENT 

The Supreme Court has approved a $27 increase in the disciplinary portion of the annual attorney assessment for 2023. This represents the first increase in the annual assessment in nine years. 
The Court took this action in approving the 2023 Attorney Discipline Budget as unanimously recommended by the Disciplinary Oversight Committee ("DOC"). The Committee had recommended that the disciplinary portion of the annual assessment for 2023 be raised from $148 to $175 for attorneys admitted to practice from three to forty-nine years. The Court reviewed the R. 1 :20B budget projections and process, which included a consideration of actual expenditures and revenues. The Court also took note of the DOC's observation that New Jersey's annual fee, even at the increased rate, remains far below the national average of $344. 
The Court is continuing to examine the staffing needs for attorney discipline, in particular the Office of Attorney Ethics. If that examination identifies the need for additional staff, any proposed further increase in the annual assessment for 2024 will be published for comment in the usual course.