District of New Jersey Junior Lawyer Participation Incentives

Junior attorneys (under 5 years) presenting oral argument may increase likelihood of argument being granted.

Source text: The Court is more likely to grant oral argument if a party represents, at the time of the filing of the request for argument, that a junior attorney (i.e. less than five years' experience) will present the argument. A supervising attorney may attend to assist only if necessary.

Junior lawyers (first 6 years) encouraged to present arguments.

Source text: Judge Salas strongly encourages parties to allow junior associate lawyers (i.e., lawyers in their first six years of practice) to present arguments whenever possible.

Advance notice for junior lawyer arguments may result in extra time and assistance.

Source text: If a party provides advance notice to the Court that a junior associate lawyer will present argument, Judge Salas may allow the junior associate lawyer extra time for argument, and may permit more experienced counsel to assist in the argument should the need arise.

Junior attorneys (under 5 years) may present oral argument with supervisor assistance.

Source text: Requests for oral argument to allow a junior attorney (i.e., under five (5) years experience) to present argument will be liberally granted subject to calendar availability. The Court will permit a supervising attorney to assist the junior attorney at the argument.

Junior attorneys (under 4 years) encouraged to participate in proceedings.

Source text: The Court encourages the participation of less experienced attorneys (i.e., those with less than four years' experience) in all proceedings, including pretrial conferences, hearings on discovery disputes, and oral arguments, particularly where that attorney

Junior attorneys presenting arguments increase likelihood of oral argument and may allow multiple attorneys to argue.

Source text: likely to grant oral argument if a junior attorney will present the argument. Therefore, consistent with Local Rule 78.1, a party shall clearly mark on the first page of the notice of notice and/or the brief that a junior attorney will present the argument. The Court is amenable to permitting more than one lawyer to argue for one party if this creates an opportunity for a junior lawyer to participate.

Junior associates arguing motions may increase likelihood of oral argument

Source text: Judge Quinn will schedule oral argument on an as-needed basis. That said, if a party believes oral argument is necessary, the party shall file a letter with the Court explaining why oral argument is either needed or would be helpful. Circumstances where the Court may grant such an application include, but are not limited to, the briefing involves a novel issue of law and/or a junior associate will argue the application.