Today, by a 7-6  vote, the Senate Judiciary Committee rejected Governor Christie’s nomination of Philip Kwon for a seat on the Supreme Court of New Jersey.  Seven of the eight committee Democrats voted against the nomination, while one Democrat, Senator Brian Stack, and all five Republicans voted in favor of Kwon.  Today’s often contentious, seven-hour Judiciary Committee hearing focused extensively on allegations of financial impropriety involving a business operated by Kwon’s family, and on Kwon’s party affiliation.  Governor Christie nominated Kwon as an Indep

As of March 16, Judge Carchman reaches mandatory retirement age.  With Judge Carchman’s consent, Chief Justice Rabner has issued an order recalling him to service on Part F of the Appellate Division through August 31, 2012.  In a separate order, Judge Fisher has been designated as the new Presiding Judge of Part F, in place of Judge Carchman.

Yesterday, the Senate Judiciary Committee voted to approve the nomination of Judge Shwartz to the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.  That nomination can now be taken up by the full Senate.

That is the good news.  The bad news is that the vote was 10-6, strictly along party lines.  Since this is an election year, there is always the potential that Senators will play politics with the nomination instead of addressing it solely on its merits.  Knowledgeable observers in New Jersey, regardless of party affiliation, overwhelmingly believe that Judge Shwartz is highly qualified and shoul