TRENTON – Today, the New Jersey Senate unanimously confirmed 12 Superior Court judges nominated by Governor Phil Murphy, marking 169 judges nominated and confirmed since the Governor Murphy took office. With today’s confirmations, the number of Superior Court vacancies falls from 50 to 38, the lowest number since 2019. Today’s milestone underscores the Murphy Administration’s commitment to ensuring New Jersey’s judiciary consists of highly qualified individuals who hold experience from a wide breadth of the legal profession, reflect the diversity of the state, and display unwavering dedication to fairness and the rule of law.

“Since taking office, my Administration has worked vigorously worked to fill judicial vacancies with individuals who demonstrate the credentials and impartiality required of a Superior Court Judge, while reflecting the diversity of our state,” said Governor Murphy. “While the judiciary saw increased retirements during the pandemic, driving the number of judicial vacancies up, my Administration and the Senate have worked tirelessly to bring vacancies down to a manageable amount and have cut the number of vacancies in half over the last 16 months. I look forward to making additional nominations and driving the number down even further, and I want to thank Senate President Scutari, Senate Judiciary Chairman Stack, and the rest of the Senate for moving the nominees through the confirmation process.  I also want to thank the Senators from Bergen and Passaic Counties, from both parties, for helping put together these packages of exceptional nominees.”

“Today’s confirmations mark continued progress in appointing highly qualified members of the legal community to serve as judges in New Jersey’s world-class judiciary,” said Senate President Nick Scutari. “The Senate takes its constitutional responsibility of advice and consent seriously and has worked diligently with the Governor’s Office to ensure that we maintain a standard of excellence for the men and women responsible for administering justice in our courtrooms.”

“The Senate Judiciary Committee has worked tirelessly to make sure we are filling vacancies with the most qualified judges possible, and we have delivered on that promise,” said Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Brian Stack. “I look forward to continuing to close the judge vacancy gap in New Jersey so that we can reduce delays in cases and address our court system’s backlog.”

“The New Jersey State Bar Association congratulates the Governor and Senate for taking significant steps in appointing judges to address the vacancy crisis that has faced our courts for too long,” said New Jersey State Bar Association President Timothy F. McGoughran. “Reducing vacancies to a rate not seen since 2019 will help ensure the residents and businesses that live and operate in this great state can have their matters addressed without unnecessary delay. This is a good day for our justice system and the people of New Jersey.”