Seek Guidance
Carol Johnston
Carol specializes in New Jersey attorney ethics law, including attorney advertising and unauthorized practice of law. Her practice is limited to counseling; she does not represent lawyers in disciplinary matters.
For 19 years, Carol answered the New Jersey Judiciary attorney ethics hotline and served as staff and counsel to the Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Professional Ethics, the Committee on Attorney Advertising, and the Committee on the Unauthorized Practice of Law.
Carol is now in private practice, offering guidance to lawyers on ethical matters.
Services
General Ethics Inquiries
Questions about conflicts of interest, starting or closing a law practice, trust accounts, referrals, or other issues governed by the Rules of Professional Conduct and New Jersey Court Rules? Carol draws on her deep experience to quickly identify the ethics issue and advise on how to address or cure it.
Attorney Advertising
The rules governing attorney advertising are not always straightforward. Lawyers need to include disclaimers in certain situations but not in others. Carol spent years navigating these rules as staff and counsel to the Supreme Court Committee on Attorney Advertising. She will ensure your advertising complies with the rules.
Unauthorized Practice of Law
Need to know whether New Jersey permits an out-of-state lawyer to engage in conduct that could be considered the unauthorized practice of law? Carol can advise whether lawyers who seek to engage in cross-border activities must register as a multijurisdictional practitioner, seek pro hac vice admission, associate with local counsel — or refrain altogether from engaging in those activities.