Dear Members,
The Bergen County Bar Association leadership meets with the Bergen County Assignment Judge quarterly to discuss issues of mutual interest to the judiciary and our membership. If you have matters of general importance that you believe we should raise at our next meeting, please email the BCBA.
This is a summary of the September 15, 2026, meeting with the Hon. Carol Novey Catuogno, A.J.S.C.
Judge Catuogno opened the meeting with warm remarks, thanking the Bergen County Bar Association and its attorneys for their continued cooperation with the Court. She spoke about the strong relationship between the Bar and the Court and thanked the attorneys for their efforts in working with the Court to keep cases moving.
1. Division Information
A. Civil Division
• Hon. David Cavello, J.S.C., is assigned to the Law Division/Special Civil Part (effective 9/1/26.
• Hon. David V. Nasta, J.S.C., serves as a Settlement Judge and continues to resolve upwards of 60% on the settlement calendar.
• Hon. Gregg A. Padovano, J.S.C. and Hon. Lina P. Corriston, J.S.C. will be handling the remaining Mt. Laurel cases.
• Bergen County has had 88 Civil Jury Trials this past Court year.
1. Carrier Days
Allstate: 9/9/26
Plymouth Rock: 9/29/26
Farmers:10/08/26
State Farm: 10/15/26
Allstate: 10/22/26
Travelers: 10/27 & 10/28/26
Garden State: 11/12/26
2. Civil Remote Days: TBD
B. General Equity Division
• Hon. Michael J. Blee, Acting Administrative Director of the Courts, participated in a Chancery Blitz last Spring and conducted a mediation.
• Hon. Walter F. Scrod, J.S.C. (ret.), is on recall and will be handling foreclosures.
Chancery Blitz: 10/27/26.
C. Family Division
• Hon. Kevin Purvin, J.S.C., is assigned to the Family Division and is handling FD and FO contempt matters.
• The New Jersey Courts website has instructional materials available for attorneys assigned to handle contempt matters from the Madden list.
FD Blitzes
• October 16, 2026
• October 30, 2026
• November 13, 2026
D. Criminal Division
• Hon. Julie Kim, J.S.C., is assigned to the Criminal Division effective 9/1/26.
1. Criminal Blitz/Settlement Conferences will be held on the following dates:
• October 21, 2026 – follow-up 10/28/26
• December 2, 2026 – follow-up 12/9/26
• February 3, 2027 – follow-up 2/10/27
• April 7, 2027 – follow-up 4/14/27.
The follow-up conference, held one week later, will give the parties an additional opportunity to work toward a resolution.
2. Judiciary Warrant System
• The Judiciary Warrant System is now up and running and provides one system for all bench warrants across all Divisions.
• The system has streamlined the issuance and vacation of bench warrants, particularly the vacation process, helping avoid accidental loss of liberty due to error.
3. Miscellaneous
a. Judicial Reassignments
• Hon. Gary N. Wilcox, J.S.C., will handle detention matters.
• Hon. Marc Ramundo, J.S.C., will be taking over Judge Purvin’s calendar.
• Hon. James X. Doyle, J.S.C., will be taking over Judge Wilcox’s calendar.
• Hon. Julie M. Kim, J.S.C., will be taking over Judge Doyle’s calendar.
E. Juror Information
• The Court is expecting a large number of jurors over the next several weeks.
• Kate’s Corner will have additional food available for purchase to accommodate the increased number of jurors