Supreme Court Names New Director of the Office of Attorney Ethics

Chief Justice Stuart Rabner today announced that Johanna Barba Jones has been named the director of the Office of Attorney Ethics (OAE). 

As the director, Jones will lead an office of 69 full-time employees and oversee the administration of 18 district ethics committees, which investigate, prosecute, and adjudicate grievances filed against attorneys.

“Given her breadth of experience and talent, I am confident that Ms. Jones will continue the office’s strong history of protecting the public and safeguarding the integrity of the legal profession,” Chief Justice Rabner said.

The OAE investigates allegations of attorney misconduct and files formal complaints when warranted. Following the completion of an investigation and hearing, local district ethics committees make recommendations for final discipline. Those recommendations are reviewed by the Disciplinary Review Board, with the Supreme Court ultimately determining whether an attorney should be subjected to final discipline. Emergent action may be taken to protect the public while a disciplinary case is pending.

In addition to overseeing the ethics committees, Jones will oversee the administration of 17 district fee arbitration committees, which adjudicate fee disputes between clients and attorneys. Jones also will be responsible for the administration of the Trust Account Overdraft Program and the Random Audit Compliance Program, which audits trust and business records of law firms to ensure compliance with the recordkeeping requirements of the Supreme Court.

A graduate of Rutgers University and the University of Dayton School of Law, Jones has served as chief counsel to the Disciplinary Review Board (DRB) of the Supreme Court for the past year.

Jones began her career with the Judiciary in 2017 as assistant ethics counsel and statewide fee arbitration coordinator for the Office of Attorney Ethics, a position she held for four years before moving to the DRB. Before joining the Judiciary, Jones was the inspector general for the New Jersey Department of Transportation for five years, an assistant counsel in the Authorities Unit of the Office of the Governor from 2010 to 2012, and deputy attorney general in the Department of Law and Public Safety at the Office of the Attorney General from 2000 to 2010.

“I am honored to have been selected by Chief Justice Rabner and humbled by the responsibility of this essential office. The talented professionals and volunteers serving the attorney disciplinary system are committed to protecting litigants and preserving public confidence in the bar. I am eager to work alongside them again,” Jones said. 

Additional information about the Office of Attorney Ethics can be found at njcourts.gov.