New Jersey's $54 Million Spending on Outside Lawyers Raises Legislative Concerns
New Jersey's law division spent nearly $54 million on outside legal counsel last year, despite being the largest employer of lawyers in the state with approximately 550 attorneys on staff. This expenditure marks a significant increase of 140% since 2019, when the division spent $22.3 million on external legal services. The rising costs have prompted scrutiny from legislators, particularly in light of Governor Mikie Sherrill's proposed $60.7 billion budget, which aims to reduce the state's structural deficit and prepare for a potential recession. Assemblyman Al Barlas has expressed concerns about the efficiency of this spending, questioning whether the state is making wise financial decisions by frequently resorting to outside counsel. Attorney General Jen Davenport defended the practice, citing conflicts of interest, workload capacity, and the need for specialized legal expertise as reasons for outsourcing. 
