NJ’s Largest Court Vicinage Will Soon Have New Judge At The Helm

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The largest of New Jersey’s 15 court vicinages will soon have a new judge at its helm: Avion Benjamin.

On Thursday, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner announced that Benjamin will lead the Essex Vicinage, effective March 1.

“In Judge Benjamin, we are fortunate to have a gifted jurist and long-time leader in the Essex County legal community serve as assignment judge in the state’s largest vicinage,” Rabner said.

Benjamin has served as the presiding judge of the civil division in the Essex Vicinage since 2024. She was appointed to the bench in 2020 by Gov. Phil Murphy, serving first in the family division before moving to the criminal division.

Before joining the bench, Benjamin worked for the city of Newark’s Law Department for 16 years, rising through the ranks to first assistant corporation counsel, a position she held for five years. As one of the top attorneys for the city of Newark, she supervised the civil litigation section/municipal prosecutor’s office, advised policy makers on legislative action and labor negotiations, and assisted with the creation and implementation of the first civilian complaint review board in New Jersey.

Benjamin began her legal career in private practice handling personal injury cases for a Monmouth County law firm before joining Newark’s Law Department.

Benjamin received a bachelor’s degree from SUNY Binghamton in New York and earned her law degree from George Washington University School of Law.

“I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to continue the great work of all the outstanding assignment judges from Essex County, including Judge Sheila Venable, who has led our vicinage with such grace and tenacity,” Benjamin said.

“I look forward to working with all my superiors and colleagues whose mentorship, support, and friendship have provided the foundation for me to step into this new role,” Benjamin said.

SHEILA VENABLE

Benjamin will succeed Sheila Venable, who is retiring after 21 years on the bench and five years as assignment judge.

“Judge Venable’s judicial career has been marked by exceptional leadership, wise judgment, and a passion for helping others,” Rabner said.

Venable was appointed to the bench on Jan. 20, 2005 by Gov. Richard Codey, serving first in the family division and then moving to the criminal division later that year. She was reappointed by Gov. Chris Christie and received tenure in December 2011.

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, she served as public defender for Jersey City. 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.

• See Related: Sheila Venable Is First Black Woman To Lead Essex County Courts

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