Lawyers in New Jersey

Finding a lawyer in New Jersey

New Jersey is densely populated and sits between two major legal markets, New York City and Philadelphia, so many lawyers here are licensed in more than one state. Firms in Newark, Jersey City and the northern counties often handle matters that touch New York, while those in Camden and the southern counties do the same with Pennsylvania. Trenton, the state capital, is home to the Supreme Court of New Jersey and the state agencies.

This directory groups New Jersey law firms by practice area and city. Most cases are heard in the Superior Court for the county where you live or where the events happened, so pick your type of problem first and then favor firms that regularly appear in that county.

When you need a lawyer (and when you may not)

Get a New Jersey attorney involved early if you are charged with a crime, seriously injured, served with a complaint, or facing a divorce with children or property, or an immigration proceeding. New Jersey sets filing deadlines by statute, and some claims, such as those against public entities, have short notice requirements, so do not wait to ask.

The Special Civil Part of the Superior Court hears small claims in a simplified process that people often use without a lawyer, and the New Jersey Courts publish extensive self-help kits for routine matters. Many traffic offenses are handled in municipal court, where people frequently appear on their own. If you are unsure, a first consultation, which many firms offer free or at a reduced fee, will tell you whether you need counsel.

Common practice areas in New Jersey

• Personal Injury and Car Accident — New Jersey has a no-fault auto insurance system with policy choices that affect your right to sue, so an injury lawyer first reviews your own coverage and then any claim against the other driver.
• Family & Divorce — divorce, custody and parenting time, child support, alimony and domestic violence matters in the Family Part of the Superior Court.
• Criminal Defense and DUI & DWI — defense against indictable offenses in Superior Court and disorderly persons offenses in municipal court; in New Jersey the drunk-driving offense is called DWI and is handled in municipal court.
• Real Estate — purchases and sales, where attorney review of contracts is customary in New Jersey, plus title, condominium and landlord-tenant matters.
• Employment — wage, discrimination, whistleblower and wrongful termination claims under state and federal law.
• Business — formation, contracts, partnership disputes and commercial litigation.
• Workers' Compensation — work injuries handled through the state's Division of Workers' Compensation.
• Estate Planning & Probate — wills, trusts, powers of attorney and estate administration through the county Surrogate's Court.
• Immigration, Bankruptcy and Social Security Disability — federal practice areas heard in federal courts and agencies.
• Medical Malpractice, Tax, Intellectual Property, Civil Rights and Traffic Ticket complete the New Jersey categories.

How to check a lawyer's license in New Jersey

Attorneys in New Jersey are licensed by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. The New Jersey Courts maintain a public attorney index where you can confirm that a lawyer is eligible to practice, and the court's Office of Attorney Ethics handles discipline and publishes public sanctions. The New Jersey State Bar Association is a voluntary organization and is not the licensing body.

New Jersey also has a Supreme Court certification program for attorneys in certain fields, such as civil trial, criminal trial, matrimonial and workers' compensation law. Certification is one of the few designations a New Jersey lawyer may advertise, and it signals extra experience in that field. Confirm eligibility and check for discipline before you hire.

How to choose a law firm

Choose a lawyer who regularly handles your kind of case in your county's Superior Court or municipal court.

Understand the fee arrangement. Injury cases are usually handled on contingency; family, criminal, real estate and business matters are billed hourly or at a flat rate. Ask what costs are extra, how retainers are handled, and what happens if the case ends early, and get a written agreement.

Confirm who will work on your matter day to day and how the firm communicates.

Questions to ask at the first consultation

- How often do you handle matters like mine, and in this county? - What are the realistic outcomes, and what are the main risks? - Who will handle my case, and how do I reach that person? - How do you charge, what is billed separately, and can I have it in writing? - What deadlines or notice requirements apply right now? - Are you certified by the Supreme Court in this field, and if not, what is your experience? ## Free and low-cost legal help

Legal Services of New Jersey and its regional programs provide free civil legal help to low-income residents in housing, family, consumer and benefits matters, and publish a statewide legal information website. County bar associations run lawyer referral services with a low-cost first consultation, and the New Jersey Courts offer self-help centers and forms for people representing themselves. The law schools in Newark and Camden operate clinics that take selected cases. A person charged with a crime who cannot afford a lawyer may apply to the Office of the Public Defender.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Laws change and every case is different — talk to a licensed New Jersey attorney about your situation.