Dear Members,
The Bergen County Bar Association leadership meets with the Bergen County Assignment Judge on a bimonthly basis to discuss issues of mutual interest to the judiciary and our membership. For matters of general importance that you believe should be raised at our next meeting, please email the BCBA.
This is a summary of the December 9, 2025, meeting with the Hon. Carol Novey Catuogno, A.J.S.C.
Judge Catuogno opened the meeting with warm remarks honoring Judge Michael Dressler, Bergen County Surrogate. She reflected on his extraordinary life of public service and noted that, in learning more about his legacy, it became clear that his life was nothing short of heroic. She emphasized his remarkable contributions to the people of Bergen County and expressed her gratitude to him and for the continued support of the Bergen County legal community.
1. Judicial Appointments: Bergen’s four judges recently nominated for reappointment successfully appeared before the Senate Judiciary Committee at their December 1st meeting. The nominations of Hon. Michael Beukas, J.S.C.; Hon. James Geiger, J.S.C.; Hon. Jacklyn Medina, J.S.C.; and Hon. Nina Remson, J.S.C. have been passed to the full senate for confirmation. The full Senate will vote on December 18th.
2. Division Information
A. Family Division.
FD Blitz’s for October and November were successful.
The Division will take its DV TRO filings in person at the courthouse until 4:00 p.m.
Family Remote Days:
February 9, 2026
July 6, 2026
September 25, 2026
December 11, 2026
B. Criminal Division.
The Criminal Division ranks first among all 21 counties in pre-indictment resolutions and eleventh statewide in post-indictment resolutions.
Criminal had 7 Criminal Trials including 1 Attorney conducted Voir Dire (ACVD).
Municipal Appeals: Hon. Mitchell Steinhart, J.S.C., is currently presiding over all municipal appeals.
Recovery Court Graduation: Recent inspiring ceremony celebrated 8 graduates.
Criminal Remote Days:
March 13, 2026
May 22, 2026
September 11, 2026
October 23, 2026
C. Civil Division
Team Leader Dana DeSanto will be handling the arbitration schedule.
Bergen County currently has the highest reduction in backlog percentage for Civil in the State.
Hon. David V. Nasta, J.S.C. – Settlement Judge and has a 64% settlement rate for November 2025.
Bergen County has had 36 Civil trials.
Bergen County will have several new multi-county litigations (GLP1/gastro and GLP1/vision loss).
Civil Remote Days:
February 6, 2026
April 2, 2026
June 12, 2026
October 30, 2026
D. General Equity Division:
Chancery Judges will be requiring in-person First Appearances in Probate Matters.
E. Municipal Division
Hon. Anthony Gallina, P.J.M.C., will retire as the Bergen County Presiding Municipal Judge effective December 26, 2025.
Hon. Benjamin Choi has been designated to serve as the next Bergen County Presiding Municipal Judge effective December 27, 2025.
3. Miscellaneous:
A total of 6,800 jurors were summoned to the courthouse between July 2025 and November 2025; 5,014 of them appeared for and were sent to voir dire.