Edison Bd. of Educ. v. Edison Tp. Bd. of Adj., ___ N.J. ___ (2020). This opinion by Judge Messano today affirmed a Law Division ruing that the Edison Board of Education (BOE”), which had filed an action in lieu of prerogative writ to challenge development approvals granted by the defendant Board of Adjustment, lacked standing to do so. The Appellate Division also rebuffed a BOE argument under the Open Public Meetings Act, N.J.S.A. 10:4-6 et seq. (“OPMA”), affirming the Law Division on that issue, too (though on different grounds). Both issues implicated de novo review....

Chief Justice Rabner has issued the General Assignment Order for 2020-21, which is available here. Judge Ostrer has replaced Judge Koblitz, who will be retiring, as Presiding Judge of Part C. The other Presiding Judges, who include Judges Sabatino, Fasciale, Alvarez, Messano, Fisher, Yannotti, and Fuentes, remain in place. Judge Messano continues as Presiding Judge for Administration, as does Judge Sabatino as Deputy Presiding Judge for Administration. The eight panels have been rejiggered, as is the case every year. Parts E and F list “TEMPORARY ASSIGNEE” as their fourth member....

In re Russo, Jr., ___ N.J. ___ (2020). As Chief Justice Rabner recounted in his opinion for a unanimous Supreme Court yesterday, Judge John F. Russo, Jr., has been an attorney since 1997. After clerking in the Superior Court, he entered private practice. He then served as an Administrative Law Judge for six years before being appointed to the Superior Court in December 2015. In January and April 2016, he received the training that new Family Part judges all receive, as well as training related to the Prevention of Domestic Violence Act, N.J.S.A. 2C:25-17 et seq. Nonetheless, in May 2016, at...