New Jersey’s legal- and political elite gathered in Newark for the swearing in of Jersey’s own Paul Matey onto the 3rd Federal Circuit Court. The reunion of (mostly) Seton Hall (mostly) GOP legal haymakers was a who’s who that included NJ Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner and former Governor Chris Christie, (see pic).

NJ Attorneys General past (Chris Porrino) and present (Gurbir Grewal), and Assembly minority leader Jon Bramnick were also on hand.

US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito swore Judge Matey onto the bench where he once served. Also in attendance: former Governor Jim McGreevey and former While House Council Don McGhan.

The swearing-in took place at the Frank R. Lautenberg Post Office and Courthouse. Named for the the late, venerable liberal Senator, the Courthouse was perhaps an ironic choice since Matey’s nomination was opposed by democratic Senators Menendez and Booker.

There was at least one liberal made the trip, NJ firebrand Jennifer Holdsworth, a top adviser to Mayor Pete Buttigieg’s presidential campaign and Seton Hall alum.

When asked by InsiderNJ why she was in attendance, instead of at the democratic debate in Houston, Holdsworth said she is a long time friend of Judge Matey and his wife, and wouldn’t have missed this honor for the world.