Robert B. Hille, a partner in the firm’s Litigation Department, is the recipient of a 2024 Amicus Curiae Award from the New Jersey State Bar Association for his contributions to the state bar’s amicus curiae efforts in the case of Facebook vs. State of New Jersey. The NJSBA Amicus Curiae Awards recognize lawyers who have volunteered their time and expertise to advance friend-of-the-court arguments, legislative positions, diversity and inclusion in society, and improvements in areas of practice.

In a case of first impression for the New Jersey Supreme Court, the NJSBA participated as amicus to analyze the proper support for a warrant to access electronic communications posted on a social media app or website on a near-contemporaneous basis. In such cases where the communications sought are prospective in nature, the NJSBA advocated for a heightened showing similar to what is required for a wiretap order before the issuance of a warrant to capture such messages. In relying on the strong privacy protections in the state Constitution, the Supreme Court held that the heightened protections of the State Wiretap Act are required to obtain nearly contemporaneous access to Facebook messages every 15 minutes, consistent with the NJSBA’s (and other amici’s) arguments.

Mr. Hille will be recognized as an author of the amicus brief at the Bar’s 2024 Board of Trustees Awards Celebration and Awards Ceremony, which will take place at the New Jersey Law Center on Thursday, January 18, 2024. His practice includes the representation of attorneys in ethics and professional liability matters as well as the defense of individuals and entities in administrative and enforcement matters.  His extensive trial expertise encompasses insurance matters, healthcare disputes, professional liability defense, fraud and abuse, and regulatory issues. A past President of the NJSBA, he is the author of New Jersey Pleadings and co-author of New Appleman on New Jersey Insurance Law and New Jersey Pretrial Practice.