Sherrill named Hunterdon County Commissioner to judgeship

Gov. Mikie Sherrill has nominated Hunterdon County Commissioner Director John Lanza to serve as a Superior Court judge, selecting a Republican county official for a seat on the bench in his home county.

Lanza, a Raritan Township attorney first elected freeholder in 2013, began his fifth term in January. His current term expires December 31, 2028. If confirmed, his move to the judiciary would open a seat on the five-member commissioner board and force a special election next year

The Hunterdon GOP county committee would pick an interim replacement.

The move takes Lanza out of contention to run for the State Senate in the 16th legislative district.

A lifelong Hunterdon County resident, Lanza has practiced law since 2001 and has worked at his family’s Flemington firm, Lanza and Lanza LLP, since its founding in 2005. His practice focuses on estate planning, administration and litigation.

Sherrill also nominated Joseph Paravecchia and Nikki Davis Hladick for Superior Court judgeships in Mercer County and William J. Maslo for a seat on the state Tax Court.

The nominations require confirmation by the New Jersey Senate. Superior Court judges serve initial seven-year terms and, if reappointed, can remain on the bench until the mandatory retirement age of 70.