Earlier this year, Gov. Chris Christie was having breakfast at McLoone's Boathouse in West Orange with Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo, the same place at which the Essex County Bar Association was having a meeting. With a record number of judicial vacancies in Essex County at the time, a member of the bar association asked the governor to stop by and comment on why the positions weren't being filled.

 

"The reason nothing's happening, the reason we're not appointing 12, 15 judges tomorrow in Essex County is because of Sen. Codey," Christie told bar association members, referring to Essex County Democrat Richard Codey.  

 

That was in April, when there were 15 vacancies. Since then, the problem has only gotten worse. The number of vacancies is now 21.

 

To appoint a Superior Court judge, the governor makes a nomination and submits it to the Senate, which can then confirm or deny it. But in New Jersey, there is a practice called "Senatorial Courtesy," whereby the Senator in the nominee's home county can block the nomination from even going to a vote. Christie claims Codey is doing just that.

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Fernandez-Vina approved in Senate for Supreme Court 

By Bill Mooney | Politicker NJ  

November 18, 2013

 

The full Senate passed the state Supreme Court nomination of Judge Faustino Fernandez-Vina Monday. The vote was 38-0.

That sets the stage for the first nominee of Gov. Chris Christie's to ascend to the higher court after Senate Democrats rejected two earlier nominees and have held two other nominees in limbo without a Judiciary hearing.

 

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When we wish you a happy, safe and lawsuit-free Thanksgiving, we mean it 

By AnnMarie McDonald | Lawsuit Reform Watch  

November 22, 2013 

 

If you think America's litigious culture is a recent trend, think again.  Back in 1938, Ms. Helen Silva was enjoying a turkey dinner at Woolworth's restaurant when she choked on a small bone.  A bystander came to her rescue, but she sued the restaurant for $36 in medical fees and embarrassment.  The bone was ultimately found to be native to turkeys (imagine that), nixing Woolworth's liability and the $500 judgment rendered against it.