NJ Supreme Court Has No Black Judges. That Could Change Soon

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — An Irvington native and Rutgers Law School graduate with a history of breaking racial barriers has taken another step toward a landmark appointment on the New Jersey Supreme Court.

On Monday, the state Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously confirmed the nomination of Fabiana Pierre-Louis. If approved by the full Senate, Pierre-Louis, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, would become the first Black woman to serve on the highest court in New Jersey.

There are currently no Black judges sitting on the court.

Pierre-Louis, 39, a Mount Laurel resident, was raised in Irvington for most of her childhood.

Gov. Phil Murphy nominated Pierre-Louis to the post in June. She would fill the seat of Associate Justice Walter Timpone, who will reach the mandatory retirement age of 70 later this year.

According to the governor’s office:

“Pierre-Louis is currently is a partner at Montgomery, McCracken, Walker & Rhoads, where she previously worked as an associate in her first three years out of law school. Prior to her return to Montgomery McCracken in 2019, Pierre-Louis served for nine years in the United States Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey as an Assistant U.S. Attorney and the Attorney-in-Charge of the Camden Office, the first woman of color to hold that position in the history of the District. Prior to serving as the Attorney-in-Charge of the Camden Office, Pierre-Louis also served as the Attorney-in-Charge of the Trenton Office from November 2016 to December 2018 and was the first woman of color to hold that position as well. While serving in this capacity, Pierre-Louis participated in the creation of Trenton Reentry Court, a program that provides support services to newly released federal offenders. In addition to working in both Trenton and Camden, Pierre-Louis previously worked in the Newark Office in the General Crimes Unit and the Organized Crime and Gang Unit.”

Her connections to the law school community run deep, the governor’s office added:

“Currently a resident of Mount Laurel, Pierre-Louis was raised in Irvington for most of her childhood. She received a bachelor's degree from Rutgers University-New Brunswick and graduated from Rutgers Law School-Camden with High Honors. Immediately following law school, Pierre-Louis served as a law clerk for the Honorable John E. Wallace, Jr. of the Supreme Court of New Jersey, who occupied the seat for which she will be nominated. Pierre-Louis is a board member of the Rutgers Law School-Camden Alumni Association and a trustee with the Association of the Federal Bar of New Jersey. She is a prior board member of the Haitian American Lawyers Association of New Jersey, and a member of the Garden State Bar Association, and the Association of Black Women Lawyers of New Jersey.”

Sen. Nicholas Scutari, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, said the nomination was “clearly historic” and that the Irvington native will be able to bring a different set of life experiences and a “greater diversity of opinions” to the state’s highest court.

But he emphasized that Pierre-Louis earned the nod because of her credentials and qualifications, which he said speak for themselves.

“She could be serving for more than 30 years with the responsibility of passing judgment on significant issues that could impact the lives of generations of New Jersey residents,” Scutari said.

The nomination of Pierre-Louis has gained support from Democratic and Republican party members.

Sen. Chris Brown, a Republican from the state’s 2nd District, offered a thumbs-up for Pierre-Louis in June, calling her a “role model” for the American Dream.

Brown wrote:

“We are blessed to live in a country where a first generation American like Ms. Pierre-Louis, following the example of her working class, immigrant parents – who made great sacrifices for their family- can earn a nomination to the state’s supreme court by doing a great job upholding the law and serving with integrity as a U.S. attorney while building respect among her colleagues. After speaking with [Pierre-Louis], I think she has the ability and fair temperament to serve as a justice.”

Senate President Steve Sweeney of the state’s 3rd District also lent support to Pierre-Louis’ nomination.

Sweeney, a Democrat, said she would be able to have a “real-life impact” on generations of New Jersey residents.

“Pierre-Louis is an American story of success who will bring a perspective gained by her personal and legal experiences to the state’s highest court,” Sweeney said.

Pierre-Louis got a glowing endorsement from the Hispanic National Bar Association (HNBA), which pointed out that she would also be the first Haitian American to serve on the court.

HNBA President Irene Oria wrote:

“If our courts are to truly be the fair and impartial adjudicators of our legal system, then it must also be comprised of the diversity that grows within our nation. A judge, equally educated in the law, with a diversity of background and experience can bring the law to life and increase public confidence in the fairness and integrity of the justice system, particularly during times of crisis and unrest. [Pierre-Louis] will be an important voice on the highest court of New Jersey but she must be joined by others. We continue our call on federal and state lawmakers, as well as voters, to take the necessary action to ensure that our nation’s courts reflect the diversity of gender, racial, ethnic, educational, and socio-economic backgrounds of the people and communities they serve.”

Lt. Gov. Sheila Oliver has also been a supporter of Pierre-Louis. After her initial nomination, Oliver — who was born and raised in Newark and has broken racial barriers herself — said it was a much-needed sign of progress in a time of public outrage.

“Across this country, there are 33 states which do not have a woman of color on their highest court,” Oliver stated. “I cannot wait to see New Jersey leave that list with Fabiana’s confirmation to the Supreme Court.”

“As the first Black woman elected to serve in statewide office in New Jersey, I see every day how important that kind of representation is,” Oliver continued. “When I speak to young African American boys and girls and tell them my story in public service, I see their faces light up when they realize that if I could do it, they can, too. Fabiana’s nomination sends the same message, and I look forward to watching her ascend to the top judicial body in our state.”

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