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Judge Gallipoli Quoted in NJLJ Article on NJSBA Judicial Independence Task Force

4/01/2014

Former Hudson County Vicinage Assignment Judge Maurice J. Gallipoli, currently of counsel to Porzio, Bromberg & Newman P.C. (“Porzio”), is quoted in the New Jersey Law Journal in his capacity as Co-chair of New Jersey State Bar Association’s ("NJSBA") Task Force on Judicial Independence. The task force was formed last year by the NJSBA to address observed threats to the autonomy of New Jersey's judges during Governor Chris Christie's administration. Judge Gallipoli was appointed co-chair of the Task Force by NJSBA President Ralph J. Lamparello on October 30, 2013.

The panel, which includes Porzio Of Counsel and retired New Jersey Supreme Court Associate Justice James H. Coleman, Jr., is ramping up to hold four public hearings to hear testimony from lawyers, interested members of the public, as well as former and current judges. The first hearing was held on Tuesday April 1, 2014 at the New Jersey Law Center in New Brunswick.

Judge Gallipoli stated, "There is at least a perception, if not the reality, that judicial independence has been threatened." He continued, "The charge of the task force is simply to investigate that situation, to hear from interested members of the public and the profession, and anyone else who has something to offer from whatever walk of life, to see if recommendations can be made to make the system better and to ensure that there is an independent judiciary in New Jersey."

While the task force hopes that any recommendations put forth would be seriously considered, Judge Gallipoli notes that it "has no illusion that any recommendations it makes will be followed by the executive or the legislature."

Judge Gallipoli expects the task force will issue a report with its recommendations within a few months of the last meeting scheduled for June 17, 2014 at Rutgers Law School in Camden.

To read the complete article, visit njlawjournal.com.

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