Mukherji pleased with Murphy choice for Supreme Court

Assembly Judiciary Committee Chairman Raj Mukherji (D-Jersey City) praised the nomination of Fabiana Pierre-Louis to the New Jersey Supreme Court.

Gov. Phil Murphy will announce Pierre-Louis’ nomination at 10:15 AM.  If confirmed by the Senate, she will become the first black woman to serve on the state’s top court.

“Putting aside the timely relevance of her experience growing up black in America and her familiarity with the immigrant experience as a first generation American, Ms. Pierre-Louis’ well-rounded career as a federal prosecutor, defense attorney, and civil lawyer and her Jersey bona fides make her supremely qualified for the Supreme Court,” said Mukherji.  “Add to that an ideology that reflects what we stand for in New Jersey. This is a proud and historic day for our state, and may she serve for the next 31 years.”

Murphy’s decision to nominate Pierre-Louis today gives the Senate Judiciary Committee five months to consider her nomination.

Before the committee meets and the Senate votes on confirmation, Senate President Steve Sweeney and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Nicholas Scutari (D-Linden) must agree to advance her nomination.

“I look forward to meeting with her,” Scutari told the New Jersey Globe.

The seat of Associate Justice Walter Timpone becomes vacant on November 10 when he reaches the mandatory retirement age of 70.