hudson county assignment judge

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Jeffrey r. jablonski.

2013 - Present

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College of the Holy Cross

Western Michigan University, Thomas M. Cooley Law School

• 1 Education
• 4 External links
• 5 Footnotes

Jeffrey R. Jablonski is a judge on the Vicinage 6 Superior Court in New Jersey . He serves on the Civil Division. He was first appointed to the bench by Governor Chris Christie (R) in March 2013 . [1]

Gov. Phil Murphy (D) reappointed Jablonski with tenure on February 13, 2020. [2] Chief Justice Stuart Rabner designated Jablonski as assignment judge on February 29, 2021, to succeed Peter F. Bariso, Jr. after his retirement.

Jablonski may serve on the bench until he reaches the mandatory retirement age in 2039. [3]

Jablonski received his bachelor's degree from the College of the Holy Cross, and his J.D. from Thomas M. Cooley Law School. [4]

Prior to his judicial appointment, Jablonski was a partner at Gillespie, Gillespie & Jablonski . He was also on the faculty at Fairleigh Dickinson University. [4]

• Hudson County, New Jersey
• New Jersey Superior Courts

External links

• Search Google News for this topic
• ↑ New Jersey Courts , "Judges' biographies," archived May 7, 2014
• ↑ NJ Courts , "Chief Justice Names Judge Jeffrey R. Jablonski to Lead Hudson Vicinage," February 19, 2021
• ↑ NJ Courts , "Judge biographies," accessed April 29, 2021
• ↑ 4.0 4.1 Fairleigh Dickinson University , "Faculty Profiles: Jeffrey Jablonski, Esq.," accessed May 12, 2014

Federal courts:

Third Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of New Jersey • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of New Jersey

State courts:

New Jersey Supreme Court • New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division • New Jersey Superior Courts • New Jersey Municipal Courts • New Jersey Tax Court

State resources:

Courts in New Jersey • New Jersey judicial elections • Judicial selection in New Jersey

• New Jersey superior court judges, 6th Vicinage
• Appointed judges, March 2013
• Chris Christie, Superior Court
• Phil Murphy, Superior Court
• Term expiring 2039, New Jersey

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Outgoing Hudson Assignment Judge Peter Bariso reflects on 16 years on the bench

Outgoing Hudson County Superior Court Assignment Judge Peter Bariso reflected on his 16 years on the bench during a phone interview yesterday.

Bariso, the assignment judge since February 2012, is calling it career on April 1st and will be succeeded by fellow Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Jablonski .

While Bariso, first appointed by then-Acting Gov. Richard Codey in 2005, has heard hundreds, possible over a thousand cases, in his long career there are two in particular that left a lasting impact: a jury trial involving the Jews Offering New Alternatives for Healing (JONAH) and the state vs. JLG.

“The JONAH case involved a lot of research regarding the issue of same sex attractions and whether or not it was a mental disorder or not … One of the first trials I had that had interesting jury selection issues,” he told HCV.

The trial began on June 25th, 2015 a Hudson County jury found that JONAH, founded by two Jersey City couples in 1999 who claimed that they could turn gay men straight, had committed consumer fraud.

During a pretrial ruling in February of the same year, Bariso made headlines for excluding expert testimony from conversion therapy proponents since they based their ideologies on the notion that homosexuality is a mental disorder.

” … The theory that homosexuality is a disorder is not novel but – like the notion that the earth is flat and the sun revolves around it – instead is outdated and refuted,” he asserted at the time.

The case concluded by Bariso granting a permanent injunction on December 18th, 2015, forcing JONAH to shut down all operations within 30 days and pay the plaintiffs an undisclosed amount of the over $3.5 million proposed judgement.

As for the State vs. JLG, Bariso conducted a Frye hearing in 2018 to determine if Child Sexual Abuse Accommodation Syndrome (CSAAS) had any reliable basis that could be used as part of expert testimony.

“When we checked nationally, everyone seemed to accept this as a scientific certainty, but there was never a hearing to test it … The Supreme Court affirmed everything that I ruled,” he noted.

“Those stand out because of the ramifications of the decisions made and because of how important they were – two pivotal cases, you’ll never forget those.”

Additionally, Bariso said he oversaw cases involving a variety of different topics, such as medical malpractice and product liability trials, as well as election law cases.

Back in 2013, he ruled that Khemraj Ramchal, better known by “Chico,” could use his nickname on the ballot.

He ultimately won the Ward B council seat as part of then-Ward E Councilman/mayoral hopeful Steven Fulop’s ticket, though had to resign before finishing out his term due to a drink driving incident.

Beyond his work inside the chambers, Bariso was one of the leading voices in pushing to bring a new county courthouse to Hudson County and it’s clear that he’s thrilled the $310 million project is well on its way.

“I think your gonna have an impressive building that the county and its citizens can be proud of for years to come. The size of it alone … it’s gonna be a tremendous building for a long time coming and will hopefully be as lasting as the Brennan Courthouse,” he stated.

While Bariso had initially planned to retire prior to the coronavirus pandemic before he turned 66, he decided to wait until the courts functions had resumed in a smoother fashion.

However, he isn’t leaving his law career behind entirely: he’ll be returning to his former law firm, Chasan Lamparello Mallon & Cappuzzo, PC, three days a week to serve as a mentor to younger legal minds – as opposed to doing mediations and arbitrations.

As far as his successor goes, Bariso feels that Chief Justice Stuart Rabner made a solid pick.

“I’m happy with the Chief Justice’s choice of Judge Jablonski. He’s been a class act he certainly has the talent and the wherewithal and I think he has the ability, the talent, and the passion to lead a very good group of judges for the next several years,” he said.

Jablonski signed off on a temporary restraining order to hinder protests outside the home of Hudson County Executive Tom DeGise late last year and a hearing on the matter is scheduled for next month.

While Bariso declined to voice an extensive opinion on pending litigation, he remarked that “I think it’s in capable hands.”

Overall, Bariso said he will miss several aspects of being a judge when he moves on to the next stage of his career in a few weeks, but is also confident that all the pieces of the puzzle of there for things to continue operating at a high level.

“There’s a part of me that will miss with working with who I think are the best judges in the state and working with the county – particularly the past nine years with the road to the next courthouse … I’m confident that under Jeff’s leadership the vicinage, is in good hands.”

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The Honorable Peter F. Bariso, Jr. Returns to the Firm

We are pleased to announce that the Honorable Peter F. Bariso, Jr. , former Assignment Judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Hudson County Vicinage, has returned to the Firm. Before Judge Bariso ascended to the bench, he was an equity partner in the Firm, which was then known as Chasan Leyner Bariso & Lamparello, PC.

With over two decades of litigation experience in the private sector and over sixteen extraordinary years as a jurist, Judge Bariso will be an asset to the Firm in consulting and mentoring our attorneys and in overseeing alternative dispute resolutions.

Judge Bariso chaired the Firm’s Defense Department for ten years prior to his appointment in 2005 by Governor Richard J. Codey. He served as the Presiding Judge of the Civil Division from 2006 until he became Assignment Judge in 2012, giving him judicial responsibility for all trial courts in the county, including the Superior Court and all municipal courts.

We are honored and humbled that Judge Bariso has returned to our Firm to share his unique and remarkable legal knowledge with our attorneys and clients.

Professional

Hon. Peter F. Bariso, Jr., A.J.S.C. (Ret.) 201-809-6056 [email protected]

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Attorney advertising, chasan lamparello mallon & cappuzzo, pc.

A Look at the First Judges Assigned to the State’s New Complex Business Litigation Program

Starting in January, New Jersey businesses will have the option of having their high dollar, and thus presumably more complex, disputes heard by judges who have been specially assigned to the state’s new Complex Business Litigation Program.

According to the court’s announcement about the program , the judges assigned:

will receive additional training in relevant areas of the law, such as the Uniform Commercial Code, securities, anti-racketeering, and business valuation. They also will receive additional training in effective case and trial management, e-discovery, and other relevant topics…Each participating judge will be expected to issue at least two written opinions annually, which will be posted at njcourts.com. Together with the previously posted business-related decisions, the opinions will comprise a substantial legal resource for the business community.

The announcement also provided a list of the judges who have been selected to serve as the state’s inaugural class of complex business jurists. Below is that list by county, with added information about the judges’ backgrounds.

Atlantic County

Judge J. Christopher Gibson (primary) – Gibson joined the court in March 2012. His current term ends on March 16, 2019. If he is reappointed he may serve until 2041. He graduated from Widener University School of Law in Wilmington, Del. Before joining the court, he was a partner in the Wildwood firm of Barry, Corrado, Grassi & Gibson.

Judge James P. Savio (backup) – Savio, an alumni of Seton Hall Law, worked in private practice and served as a municipal judge before he was appointed to his current judgeship in 2009. His current term ends on July 2, 2016. If he is reappointed he may serve until 2022.

Bergen County

Judge Robert C. Wilson – Wilson is a veteran business court judge, having overseen the Bergen county pilot program the new statewide program is replacing. He joined the court in 1999 and was reappointed for tenure status in 2006. His mandatory retirement date is 2024. Wilson attended New York Law School.

Burlington County

Civil Presiding Judge Marc M. Baldwin – Baldwin joined the court in 2000 and was reappointed for tenure in 2007. The Rutgers-Camden alum faces mandatory retirement in 2017.

Camden County

Judge Michael J. Kassel – Kassel worked in private practice and as a prosecutor before joining the court in 2001. He was reappointed in 2008, and has a mandatory retirement date of 2027. Kassel earned his law degree at Rutgers-Camden.

Essex County

Judge James S. Rothschild Jr. – Rothschild was appointed to the court in 2002, and granted tenure in 2009. After graduating from Yale Law School, he worked at Riker, Danzig, Scherer, Hyland & Perretti, where he attained partner status. His mandatory retirement date is 2016.

Hudson County

Judge Barry Sarkisian – Sarkisian, a graduate of New York Law School, joined the bench in 2005 and was granted tenure in 2012. His mandatory retirement date is 2018. Prior to becoming a judge, he founded a law firm with State Senator Bernard Kenny and Edward Florio.

Mercer County

General Equity Presiding Judge Paul Innes – Innes graduated from the University of Villanova School of Law. After graduation, he split his time between private practice at Hartsough, Kenny and Innes in Princeton and serving as a prosecutor. He was appointed to the court in 1995 and was granted tenure in 2002. His mandatory retirement date is 2025.

Middlesex County

Assignment Judge Travis L. Francis – Francis was appointed to the court in 1992 and reappointed for tenure in 1999. The Rutgers-Newark alum’s mandatory retirement date is 2021. Before joining the bench, he worked in private practice at a firm and as a solo practitioner. He also served as a public defender and worked in-house at Prudential Insurance.

Monmouth County

Judge Katie A. Gummer – Gummer is relatively new to the bench, having been appointed in 2013. She is up for reappointment in 2020 and if reappointed would face mandatory retirement in 2034. The Yale alum was a partner at DLA Piper before joining the bench.

Morris and Sussex Counties

General Equity Presiding Judge Stephan C. Hansbury – Hansbury has been a judge since 2001. He was granted tenure in 2007, and faces mandatory retirement in 2016. After graduating from Seton Hall Law School, he worked in private practice.

Passaic County

Judge Thomas J. LaConte – LaConte was appointed to the court in 2005, and granted tenure in 2012. The Rutgers-Newark alum faces mandatory retirement in 2018. Prior to joining the court, he was a partner at Cole, Schotz, Meisel, Forman & Leonard.

Union County

Judge Thomas J. Walsh – Walsh worked as an assistant prosecutor, then spent nearly 20 years as a trial attorney working in criminal, civil and family divisions before joining the court in 2010. He attended law school at the City University of New York. He is up for reappointment in 2017, and if reappointed would face mandatory retirement in 2029.

Somerset, Warren, and Hunterdon Counties

Assignment Judge Yolanda Ciccone – Ciccone joined the court in 1991 and was granted tenure in 1998. After graduating from Seton Hall Law School, she served as the Assistant Prosecutor of Middlesex County. Her mandatory retirement date is 2024.

Ocean County

Civil Presiding Judge Craig L. Wellerson – Wellerson, a Case Western Reserve alum, was appointed to the court in 2001 and reappointed in 2007. He faces mandatory retirement in 2027. Prior to joining the court, Wellerson was a partner at Dasti, Murphy, Wellerson & McGuckin.

Cumberland, Salem, and Gloucester Counties

Judge Richard J. Geiger – Geiger was appointed to the court in 2002 and granted tenure in 2009. The Rutgers-Camden alum’s mandatory retirement date is 2023. Prior to joining the court he was a partner at Davidow, Sherman, Eddowes & Geiger.

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Hudson County judge makes history with Essex appointment

• Published: Dec. 17, 2020, 1:52 p.m.

Hudson County Superior Court Judge Sheila Venable, seen presiding over a hearing, has been appointed the assignment judge for Essex County Superior Court, the first Black to hold the position. (Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal) Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal

• Ron Zeitlinger | The Jersey Journal

Hudson County Superior Court Judge Sheila Venable made history Wednesday when she was appointed the first Black judge to preside over the Essex County Superior Court system — the state’s largest vicinage.

The long-time judge will succeed Judge Sallyanne Floria, who is retiring after 22 years on the bench and more than five years as assignment judge. Venable’s term is effective Feb. 1, 2021.

“I would like to thank Chief Justice (Stuart) Rabner for his confidence in my ability to serve as the assignment judge in Essex County,” Venable said. “Judge Floria has set a strong example to follow. I am humbled and honored to have been chosen and I feel privileged to be a part of this independent judiciary.”

Venable served as the presiding judge of the criminal division in the Hudson vicinage from 2008 to 2018 and currently serves as a drug court judge there. She was appointed to the bench on Jan. 20, 2005 by Gov. Richard J. Codey, serving first in the family division and then moving to the criminal division later that year.

“Judge Venable’s distinguished career has been marked by excellence, strong leadership, and empathy – qualities that will serve the state’s largest vicinage and the public well. Essex County, and the Judiciary as a whole, are fortunate to have such a gifted jurist continue to maintain the highest standards Judge Floria exemplified,” Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said.

In 2014 Superior Court Judge Lisa Thornton was the first Black woman in the state to become as assignment judge when she was appointed to the position in Monmouth County. Judge Lawrence Lawson was the first Black assignment judge in Monmouth and in the state.

Prior to her judicial career, Venable served from 1986 to 1988 as designated counsel on behalf of the State Public Defender’s Office at the Department of Public Advocate. During the same period, Venable served as public defender for Jersey City.

Judge Venable then served as assistant prosecutor in Jersey City and, in 1991, became Jersey City’s chief municipal prosecutor. She served as a municipal court judge in Jersey City from 1993 to 2005. Prior to her judicial career, Judge Venable earned her bachelor’s degree in political science, with an emphasis in public administration, at California State University Northridge. She later received her law degree at the University of Santa Clara.

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Rabner elevates 47-year-old Latina as Union County assignment judge

Number of assignment judges of color increases from 3 to 4

By David Wildstein , August 16 2021 4:22 pm

Superior Court Judge Lisa Miralles Walsh will become the new assignment judge in Union County next month, increasing the number of top county judges of color from three to four.

Walsh will succeed retiring Judge Karen Cassidy, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner announced on Monday.

“During her two decades on the bench, more than half of them as the assignment judge of the Union Vicinage, Judge Cassidy made a significant impact on the judiciary through her skilled leadership and insightful voice on important matters,” said Rabner. “Judge Walsh is a gifted and talented jurist with a range of experience in different areas of the justice system. She is poised to continue the fine tradition of court leadership in the Union Vicinage.”

Of New Jersey’s fifteen county court vicinages, Walsh will become the lone Latina and the second Hispanic; Judge Julio Mendez heads the Atlantic/Cape May vicinage.  Two assignment judges are Black: Sheila Venable in Essex and Lisa Thornton in Monmouth.

The top levels of the New Jersey judiciary are mostly white.

Just two of the eight presiding judges of the state appellate court are people of color, and only six of the 30 appellate court judges, 20%, are minorities.

The appointment of Walsh leaves the gender balance of the assignment judges at eight women and seven men.  But women will lose their majority in two weeks after Mercer County Assignment Judge Mary C. Jacobson retires.

Rabner has picked former acting Attorney General Robert Lougy to replace Jacobson for what is arguably the most powerful Superior Court post in the state.  The Mercer assignment judge frequently hears cases related to state government cases.

Lougy, a judge since 2016, has had a meteoric rise through the judiciary.  He became general equity presiding judge after four years as a judge, and assignment judge before even completing his first seven-year term on the bench.

An Elizabeth native, Walsh is a former assistant Union County Prosecutor who was named to the bench by Gov. Chris Christie in 2017.

After Appellate Court Judge Carmen Alvarez reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70 in 2022, Walsh would become the highest-ranking Latina in the New Jersey judiciary.

At age 47, Walsh still has 23 years remaining before retirement and could wind up on a short list for the New Jersey Supreme Court if a future governor looks to nominate the first Latina justice.

“I am thrilled by the choice of Judge Lisa Mirrales Walsh to be the Union County Assignment Judge,” said Laura Matos, the president of Latina Civic PAC.  “She will continue to grow the incredible reputation of Union Vicinage and make history in her own right as the first Latina Assignment Judge in the State of New Jersey.”

Earlier this year, Rabner named Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Jablonski as the assignment judge in Hudson County, giving a white male the post in one of the most ethnically diverse counties on the East Coast.

That followed the transfer of Venable from Hudson to Essex.