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Category Archives: Covid-19 Notices

NOTICE TO THE BAR – FAMILY DIVISION REASSIGNMENTS

Author By J.G.Posted on

Effective August 1, 2023, the Judicial assignments are as follows:

PRE-JUDGMENT- Dissolution (FM) Motions & Trials

Docket Nos.
01-25     Jane Gallina-Mecca, P.J.F.P.

26-70    Julie Lee Kim, J.S.C.
71-100   Robert E. Landel, J.S.C.

POST-JUDGMENT- Dissolution (FM) Motions & Plenary Hearings

01-05    Jane Gallina-Mecca, P.J.F.P.
06-10   Julie Lee Kim, J.S.C.
11-15.   Robert E. Landel, J.S.C.
16-32.  Magali Francois, J.S.C.
33-49.  Jaclyn Medina, J.S.C.
50-66.  Michael Antoniewicz, J.S.C.
67-83.  Amy E. Lefkowitz, J.S.C.
84-100 William C. Soukas, J.S.C.

In addition, the Judges will hear the following matters:

  • Judge Gallina-Mecca (Room 265) – CIC (Central), Dissolution, FC & Benchmark Hearings, ISC, Backup for all dockets
  • Judge Kim (Room 113)- 2nd Juvenile Back up
  • Judge Landel (Room 317)- DV Wednesday Calendar
  • Judge Francois (Room 152)-Juvenile, CIC (South)*, SIJ
  • Judge Medina (Room 338)- Non-Dissolution, CSE, SU, 2nd Backup Contempts
  • Judge Antoniewicz (Room 108)- Domestic Violence, TPR, Weapons, Backup Contempts
  • Judge Lefkowitz (Room 262)- Domestic Violence, Contempts, Backup Weapons, Juvenile Backup
  • Judge Soukas -(Room 336) Non-Dissolution, Backup CSE

On Recall:

Judge Janeczko (Room 161) FM Default Calendar

HO Appeals will rotate among the judges assigned to the FD Docket

DV Appeals will rotate among the judges assigned to the FV Docket

*Judge Gallina-Mecca will continue with ½ of the Bergen South docket until September 1.

/s/ Jane Gallina-Mecca, P.J.F.P.

FAMILY DIVISION REASSIGNMENTS

 

 

INITIAL JUDICIAL ASSIGNMENT FOR NEW SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE WILLIAM C. SOUKAS WILL BE TO THE SUPERIOR COURT, FAMILY DIVISION, BERGEN COUNTY

Author By J.G.Posted on

It is ORDERED that the initial judicial assignment for new Superior Court Judge William C. Soukas will be to the Superior Court, Family Division, Bergen County (Vicinage 2); this amends the June 27, 2023 order that supplemented the 2022-2023 General Assignment Order dated August 15, 2022.

/s/ Honorable Stuart Rabner

Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court

ORDER – JUDGE SOUKAS

HONORABLE DARREN T. DiBIASI, J.S.C. ASSIGNED TO GENERAL EQUITY DIVISION OF SUPERIOR COURT IN BERGEN COUNTY

Author By J.G.Posted on

It is ORDERED that effective August 1, 2023~ Superior Court Judge Darren T. DiBiasi is hereby assigned to the General Equity Division of Superior Court in Bergen County (Vicinage 2). This will amend the 2022-2023 General Assignment Order dated August 15, 2022.

/s/ Honorable Stuart Raber

Chief Justice of New Jersey Supreme Court

Order – Judge Darren T. DiBiasi Reassigned to Bergen General Equity Division

NOTICE TO THE BAR: Family Division Reassignments

Author By J.G.Posted on

Effective April 1, 2023, the Judicial assignments are as follows:

PRE-JUDGMENT- Dissolution (FM) Motions & Trials
Docket Nos.
01-100   Darren T. DiBiasi, J.S.C.

POST-JUDGMENT – Dissolution (FM) Motions & Plenary Hearings
Docket Nos.
01-05     Jane Gallina-Mecca, J.S.C.
06-10    Darren T. DiBiasi, J.S.C.
11-35     Magali M. Francois, J.S.C.
36-60    Jaclyn Medina, J.S.C.
61-80    Michael Antoniewicz, J.S.C.

81-100.  Amy E. Lefkowitz, J.S.C.

Due to the high number of judicial vacancies, the Bar is encouraged to exhaust all methods of alternate dispute resolution prior to filing an application in the FM docket. The vacancies, coupled with the high volume of filings, have also necessitated the Court to run on a delayed motion schedule. Judges Melchionne and Guida will be handling ISCs and Judge Janeczko will be handling defaults and domestic violence trials until the end of May.

In addition, the following matters will be heard by:
Judge Gallina-Mecca – Non-Dissolution, Children in Court, FC Summary Hearings
Judge Francois – Juvenile, Domestic Violence, Summary Immigrant Juvenile, Children in Court
Judge Medina -Non-Dissolution, Summary Immigrant Juvenile, Child Support Enforcement
Judge Antoniewicz -Domestic Violence, Termination of Parental Rights, Weapons
Judge Lefkowitz – Domestic Violence, Contempts

/s/ Peter J. Melchionne, P.J.F.P.

 

FAMILY LAW REASSIGNMENTS

A Message From the Honorable Bonnie J. Mizdol, A.J.S.C., and the Honorable Carol Novey Catuogno, J.S.C.

Author By J.G.Posted on

With the approval of the Chief Justice, Judge Catuogno and I are delighted to announce:

  • Hon. Robert M. Vinci, J.S.C., in addition to his civil assignment, is being temporarily assigned to the Chancery Division. It is anticipated that upon Hon. Lisa Perez-Friscia’s permanent elevation to the Appellate Division as of August 1, 2023, Judge Vinci’s re-assignment to Chancery shall become permanent as well.
  • Hon. Gregg A. Padovano, J.S.C., will, upon Hon. Rachelle Lea Harz’s retirement on June 1, 2023, be named our Multi-County Litigation Judge.
  • Hon. Mary F. Thurber, J.S.C., has been named our Complex Business Judge, effective immediately; and
  • Hon. Jane Gallina-Mecca will, upon Hon. Peter J. Melchionne’s retirement on June 1, 2023, be named the Presiding Judge of the Family Part.

MESSAGE FROM BERGEN COUNTY SURROGATE MICHAEL R. DRESSLER

Author By J.G.Posted on

Many years ago when I decided to make public service my life’s work, I promised myself that I would base my service on several tenets that were of extreme importance to me. I promised that I would treat all my constituents with professionalism, empathy, and impartiality no matter what the situation. I also promised myself that at all times I would be transparent so that the people I serve would trust me. I recognize that the time that it takes to probate a will in Bergen County has been lengthier than usual over the past two months. The reason for the change has been a result of several instances whereby my staff has been unexpectedly reduced.

This reduction in staffing has been a result of several serious medical conditions, some of which have been life-threatening. We have also had as many as six people out at the same time due to COVID. There have been instances related to the issues outlined above that have left as few as two probate clerks working in the office on a given day. As all these employees have been on medical leave, I have been unable to replace them on a temporary basis to address the workload due to governmental budgetary constraints.

It is my belief that I have the best staff of any Surrogate’s Court in the State of New Jersey; however, when my staff is depleted as stated above we can only do so much. I have taken steps to replenish the office by hiring more staff and therefore hope to quickly shorten the wait time to probate a will. During my tenure as Surrogate, I believe I have always had a good relationship with the Bar Association in Bergen County. In the meantime, I appreciate your patience and understanding. We are getting back to normal and will continue to provide the type of great service you are used to from the Bergen County Surrogate’s Court.

/s/ Michael R. Dressler
Bergen County Surrogate

UPDATE TO THE CRIMINAL LAW AND MUNICIPAL COURT PRACTICE COMMITTEES FROM THE HONORABLE MARGARET M. FOTI, P.J.Cr.

Author By J.G.Posted on

The Bergen County Jail (BCJ) has created a computer lab where inmates can view discovery weekly during scheduled blocks of time. Tablets may be available for inmates to access Lexis/Nexis for research purposes. Laptops may also be utilized as necessary and in the discretion of the BCJ. Viewing time for discovery may be expanded by court order during the inmate’s trial upon consultation with BCJ officials. Read More

NOTICE TO THE BAR — NEW JERSEY ATTORNEY ELECTRONIC REGISTRATION AND PAYMENT FOR 2023 NOW AVAILABLE

Author By J.G.Posted on

The attorney online registration and payment period for 2023 begins today,
January 9, 2023 and runs through February 24, 2023. During this period, New Jersey
attorneys may complete their annual registration and payment through the Judiciary’s
web-based application at https://www.njcourts.gov/attorneys/attorney-registration.

My November 14, 2022 notice (1) announced those dates, (2) advised of the
new information security policy that requires attorneys to use a 14-character
password/passphrase to access the application rather than the prior 8-character
password, and (3) also announced the availability of no-cost virtual training sessions
on the updated attorney registration application, with CLE credits provided for
completing the training.

All New Jersey attorneys must complete their annual attorney registration and
pay the required annual fee electronically, except those attorneys who qualify for one
of the limited exceptions approved by the Supreme Court. The total fee for the 2023
registration and payment cycle is $239. That consists of the following components:
Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection ($46), Disciplinary Oversight Committee
($173), Lawyers’ Assistance Program ($10), Continuing Legal Education ($4), and
Board of Bar Examiners ($6).

In addition, attorneys maintaining a plenary or limited license to practice law
in New Jersey must certify to the completion of their continuing legal education
(CLE) requirements in accordance with Rule 1:42. A noncompliance fee of $50 will
be assessed against attorneys who report that they failed to complete the requisite
CLE credits by the deadline for course completion. An additional $50 (for a total of
$100) will be assessed against attorneys who fail to complete their required CLE
credits within the grace period provided by BCLE Reg. 402:1 and against attorneys
who fail to report regarding CLE compliance at all. Information on Continuing Legal
Education requirements is available at https://www.njcourts.gov/attorneys/cle. For
concerns related to CLE, please contact SCTCLE.Mailbox@njcourts.gov or 609-
815-2930.

For questions or information related to this notice, please contact Michelle M.
Smith, Clerk of the Superior Court, at michelle.smith@njcourts.gov or 609-815-2900
ext. 54200.

/s/ Glenn A. Grant
Administrative Director of the Courts
Dated: January 9, 2023

Notice – 2023 Attorney Registration – Formal Opening of Registration-Payment Period – dated 01-09-23

 

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