assignment judge hudson county nj

Jeffrey Jablonski, Hudson County’s new assignment judge, wants to get people excited about jury duty

• Updated: Mar. 03, 2021, 4:49 p.m. |
• Published: Mar. 03, 2021, 4:49 p.m.

Superior Court Judge Jeffrey Jablonski. July 29, 2019, in Jersey City. (Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal) Reena Rose Sibayan | The Jersey Journal

• Peter D’Auria | The Jersey Journal

When things in Hudson County’s judicial system return to normal, Judge Jeffrey Jablonski is looking forward to inspiring jurors.

Jablonski, who was recently named Hudson County’s assignment judge, plans to continue a tradition that his retiring predecessor, Judge Peter Bariso, started: having superior court judges welcome jurors to the courthouse before a trial.

These interactions would transform jurors from at first thinking, “how can I get out of this,” Jablonski said, to being “completely involved in the process.”

Last month, New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner announced that Hudson County Assignment Judge Peter Bariso would step down after nine years atop the Hudson County vicinage. Rabner tapped Jablonski to fill the role, elevating the presiding judge of the chancery division to Hudson County’s highest judicial post.

Jablonski’s promotion comes at a pivotal moment. Hudson County is beginning preparations to move court proceedings into the planned Frank J. Guarini Justice Complex, which is currently under construction in Journal Square.

If the courthouse opens as expected in 2023, Jablonski will likely be the first assignment judge to preside from the new building, meaning he will get to decide judicial placements and organization within the building.

Jablonski began his career as a clerk for Hudson County Superior Court Judge John McLaughlin. He worked in private legal practice and with the Office of the Public Defender before becoming a superior court judge in 2013. In a press release announcing his appointment, Chief Justice Rabner called Jablonski a “wise and thoughtful jurist.”

“I am confident that Hudson County, and the Judiciary as a whole, will be well served under his stewardship,” Rabner said.

Jablonski is taking the job at a crucial time. COVID-19 has emptied courthouses and forced court administrators to wrestle with the technological and constitutional implications of holding court proceedings online.

Jablonski said Hudson’s courts had a “seamless transition” from in-person to virtual. The county is holding virtual grand juries, and two virtual civil trials are scheduled to start next month.

But the courts also face what many fear will be an avalanche of evictions and eviction hearings in Hudson County, as a backlog of litigation has accumulated during the governor’s eviction moratorium. The court system will also have to confront “all the issues that tend to flow from potential homelessness,” Jablonski said.

Hudson County is making preparations for that eventuality, Jablonski said. He declined to provide specifics, but said the courts will address the crisis “fairly and justly.”

“I can guarantee you that,” he said.

As assignment judge, Jablonski hopes to step up the court’s community outreach. He wants the get out the message “that the judicial system is there for them, whether you’re accused of a crime, whether or you have a civil dispute that you can’t work (out.)”

That dovetails with his goal to get people more excited about jury duty.

“I see it as my job as a judge to not foist upon them their jury service, but more importantly, to let them know that they (are) part of the process, an integral part of the process,” Jablonski said.

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Jablonski is new Hudson assignment judge

Judge who stopped anti-ICE protests picked for top Hudson slot

By David Wildstein , February 19 2021 6:15 pm

Jeffrey R. Jablonski, the Superior Court Judge who approved a temporary restraining order preventing protestors at the homes of Hudson County officials last December, has received a promotion.

Chief Justice Stuart Rabner announced on Friday that he elevated Jablonski, a 51-year-old former Kearny public defender, to serve as Hudson County Assignment Judge.

Jablonski will replace Peter F. Bariso, who is retiring after 16 years on the bench.

The appointment maintains a significant edge among white assignment judges.  In the state’s 15 vicinages, two assignment judges are Black, and one is Latino.  Eight are women and seven are men.

Hudson County is one of the most ethnically diverse counties on the East Coast, with North Hudson representing the second-largest Cuban population in the nation.  Following the certification, the 2020 U.S. Census data, white residents in Hudson County will potentially be in the minority.

After demonstrators opposed to the renewal of the county’s contract with U.S. Immigration, Customs and Enforcement to detail immigrants began protesting outside the home of Hudson County Executive Thomas DeGise and five county commissioners, Jablonski issued a restraining order.

The American Civil Liberties Union has challenged the TRO and Jablonski has scheduled a hearing next month.

Jablonski was nominated to the bench by Gov. Chris Christie in 2013 and received tenure last year after Gov. Phil Murphy renominated him.

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New jersey vicinage 6.

• 1.1 Criminal Division
• 1.2 Civil Division
• 1.3 Family Division
• 1.4 General Equity
• 3 External links
• 4 Footnotes

New Jersey Vicinage 6 is a vicinage , or district, of Superior Courts in New Jersey . It serves Hudson County . [1]

• Jeffrey R. Jablonski (Assignment judge)

Criminal Division

• Paul DePascale
• Mitzy Galis-Menendez
• Adam E. Jacobs
• John A. Young, Jr.

Civil Division

• Mary K. Costello (Presiding judge)
• Jeffrey R. Jablonski
• Maureen B. Mantineo
• Lawrence M. Maron
• Nesle A. Rodriguez
• Marybeth Rogers
• Martha T. Royster
• Lourdes I. Santiago
• Barry P. Sarkisian
• Francis B. Schultz
• Joseph A. Turula
• Ray Velazquez
• Jane Weiner

Family Division

• Maureen P. Sogluizzo (Presiding judge)
• Kalimah Ahmad
• Mark A. Baber
• Daniel D'Alessandro
• Marlene Caride
• Stevie D. Chambers
• Bernadette N. De Castro
• Edward J. De Fazio
• Alvaro L. Iglesias
• Mark J. Nelson
• Mirtha Ospina
• Gary Potters
• Alberto Santos
• José Vilariño

General Equity

• Hector R. Velazquez [2]
• Hudson County, New Jersey
• New Jersey Superior Courts
• Courts in New Jersey

External links

• New Jersey Courts , "Vicinage 6," accessed May 12, 2014
• ↑ New Jersey Courts , "Hudson County Vicinage," accessed May 12, 2014

Federal courts:

Third Circuit Court of Appeals • U.S. District Court: District of New Jersey • U.S. Bankruptcy Court: District of New Jersey

State courts:

New Jersey Supreme Court • New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division • New Jersey Superior Courts • New Jersey Municipal Courts • New Jersey Tax Court

State resources:

Courts in New Jersey • New Jersey judicial elections • Judicial selection in New Jersey

• New Jersey superior courts

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Hon. Peter F. Bariso, Jr., A.J.S.C. (Ret.)

[email protected] T 201-809-6056

Hon. Peter F. Bariso, Jr., A.J.S.C. (Ret.) draws on 16 years of judicial experience as a New Jersey Superior Court Judge and more than two decades as an attorney in consulting on complex litigation matters affecting both private and public sector clients.  

Appointed to the bench in 2005 by Governor Richard J. Codey, Judge Bariso served as the Presiding Judge of the Civil Division from 2006 to 2012. He became Assignment Judge of the Hudson Vicinage in 2012, giving him judicial responsibility for all trial courts in the county, including the Superior Court and all municipal courts.

Judge Bariso was a member of the Conference of Assignment Judges as well as the Judicial Council. He was also a member of the Advisory Committee on Expedited Civil Actions where he served as the Pre-Trial Subcommittee Chair. Judge Bariso is a former member of the Supreme Court Special Committee on Peremptory Challenges and Jury Voir Dire where he served as Chair of the Civil Subcommittee. He is also a former member of the Supreme Court Civil Practice Committee.

Judge Bariso served as the Chair of the Conference of Civil Presiding Judges. He previously chaired both the Supreme Court Arbitration Advisory Committee and the Hudson County Advisory Committee on Minority Concerns. Judge Bariso is a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association, the Hudson County Bar Association and the Essex County Bar Association.

Judge Bariso frequently lectures on civil litigation issues for the Judiciary, the New Jersey State Bar Association, the Hudson County Bar Association and the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, among other organizations. He has been an instructor for ICLE’s Civil Law segment of the Skills and Methods course for newly admitted attorneys. In 2015, Judge Bariso was the recipient of the NJICLE Alfred C. Clapp Award for Excellence in Continuing Legal Education.

Judge Bariso graduated from Rutgers University in 1976, where he received a bachelor’s degree magna cum laude and was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. He received his juris doctor degree from the Rutgers University School of Law in 1979. After law school, he clerked for Superior Court Judge J. Emmet Cassidy before entering private practice, specializing in civil defense litigation for corporate, insurance, and individual clients. In 1988, he established a successful defense firm, Peter F. Bariso, Jr., Esq. PC., concentrating in civil litigation and worker’s compensation, which merged with the Firm in 1995.  

Judge Bariso led the Firm’s Litigation Department for ten years, focusing his practice on insurance defense litigation issues related to automobile, aviation, commercial, premises, products liability, and worker’s compensation.  He was frequently appointed as an arbitrator by the Superior Court of New Jersey and worked as a court-approved mediator in complex and substantial civil matters.  He was certified by the Supreme Court as a Civil Trial Attorney.

Judge Bariso has had six trial court opinions approved for publication:

Jersey City Redevelopment Agency v. RJ Woodward, LLC , 462 N.J. Super. 27 (Law Div. 2020) Ferguson v. JONAH , 445 N.J. Super. 129 (Law Div. 2014) Dobco v. Brockwell & Carrington , 441 N.J. Super. 148 (Law Div. 2015) Town of Harrison Bd. v. Netchert , 439 N.J. Super. 164 (Law Div. 2015) Camacho v. Camacho , 381 N.J. Super. 395 (Law Div. 2005) Smith v. Moustiatse , 388 N.J. Super. 273 (Law Div. 2005)

Judge Bariso has also contributed to numerous publications used as seminar material for The New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education over the past 20 years. Some of the more recent publications were seminar material for Labor and Employment Law Forum (2017); Hot Topics for Civil Litigators (2014); Effectively Using Objections at Depositions and Trial: A Crash Course from Some of the State’s Top Judges and Attorneys (2011); 2011 Civil Trial Practice: The Judicial Perspective (2011); 2010 Automobile Insurance Update: Keys for Handling the Automobile Accident Case; Keys to Jury Selection in a Civil Case (2010); Effectively Using Objections at Deposition and Trial: A Crash Course from some of the State’s top Judges and Attorneys (2008); Beyond the Court Rules: What the Presiding Judges Really Think (2008); Medicine for Lawyers: Winning Neck & Back Injury Cases (2008); 2007 Tort Law Conference (2007). He is also a contributing author on Education Law for Encyclopedia of New Jersey (2004).

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• Rutgers University School of Law, 1979 JD

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Hudson County Commissioners Honor Assignment Judge Peter Bariso on His Retirement

Jersey City- The Hudson County Board of Commissioners applaud, honor and commend Peter F. Bariso, Jr. for his extraordinary service as Judge of the Superior Court in Hudson County and congratulate him on his retirement.

Peter F. Bariso, Jr. is an inspiring public servant whose integrity, professionalism and compassion greatly enhanced the quality of life of Hudson County residents; he is retiring as Assignment Judge of the Superior Court after 16 years of distinguished service on the Hudson County bench.

Appointed to the New Jersey Superior Court in 2005 by Governor Richard J. Codey, Peter F. Bariso, Jr. served as the Presiding Judge of the Hudson Vicinage’s Civil Division from 2006 to 2012 and became Assignment Judge in 2012, giving him judicial responsibility for all trial courts in Hudson County, including the Superior Court and all municipal courts.

Judge Peter F. Bariso, Jr. was a member of the Conference of Assignment Judges as well as the Judicial Council. He was also a member of the Advisory Committee on Expedited Civil Actions where he served as the Pre-Trial Subcommittee Chair. Judge Bariso is a former member of the Supreme Court Special Committee on Peremptory Challenges and Jury Voir Dire where he served as Chair of the Civil Subcommittee. He is also a former member of the Supreme Court Civil Practice Committee.

Judge Peter F. Bariso, Jr. served as the Chair of the Conference of Civil Presiding Judges. He previously chaired both the Supreme Court Arbitration Advisory Committee and the Hudson County Advisory Committee on Minority Concerns. Judge Bariso is a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association, the Hudson County Bar Association and the Essex County Bar Association.

Judge Peter F. Bariso, Jr. frequently lectures on civil litigation issues for the Judiciary, the New Jersey State Bar Association, the Hudson County Bar Association and the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, among other organizations. He has been an instructor for ICLE’s Civil Law segment of the Skills and Methods course for newly admitted attorneys. Judge Bariso is a recipient of the NJICLE Distinguished Service Award for Excellence in Continuing Legal Education.

Judge Peter F. Bariso, Jr. graduated from Rutgers University in 1976, where he received a bachelor’s degree magna cum laude and was elected to the Phi Beta Kappa honor society. He received his juris doctor degree from the Rutgers University School of Law in 1979. After law school, he clerked for Superior Court Judge J. Emmet Cassidy before entering private practice, specializing in civil defense litigation for corporate, insurance, and individual clients. In 1988, he established a successful defense firm, Peter F. Bariso, Jr., Esq. PC., concentrating in civil litigation and worker’s compensation, which merged in 1995 with what, is now the Chasan Lamparello Mallon & Cappuzzo firm. Upon his retirement, Judge Bariso will be returning to the Chasan firm.

Board Chairman Anthony Vainieri, the Board of Commissioners in conjunction with Hudson County Executive Thomas A. DeGise, extend its highest commendations and appreciation to Judge Peter F. Bariso, Jr. for his dedicated service as Judge of the Superior Court in Hudson County, including his tenure as Assignment Judge of the Hudson County Vicinage, and his tireless dedication to the citizens of Hudson County.

The Board also congratulates Judge Peter F. Bariso, Jr. on his retirement and wishes him much health, happiness and enjoyment in the years to come.

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• Saturday, November 25, 2023

KEARNY’S JABLONSKI TO LEAD HUDSON VICINAGE

The Hudson County judge whose rulings were instrumental in keeping the Keegan Landfill closed during a protracted battle between the Town of Kearny and the NJSEA will become the head of the Hudson County Courts in six weeks.

Chief Justice Stuart Rabner announced that Superior Court Judge Jeffrey R. Jablonski, of Kearny, will lead the Hudson Vicinage, effective April 1, 2021, succeeding Judge Peter F. Bariso Jr., who is retiring after 16 years on the bench, the last nine as assignment judge.

“Judge Jablonski is a wise and thoughtful jurist who is poised to continue the culture of excellence in the Hudson Vicinage fostered under Judge Bariso’s leadership. I am confident that Hudson County, and the judiciary as a whole, will be well served under his stewardship,” Rabner said.

Jablonski has served as presiding judge of the chancery division in the Hudson Vicinage since 2018. He was appointed to the bench on March 5, 2013, by Gov. Chris Christie, serving first in the civil division, where he was supervising judge of the special civil part, before being selected as the complex litigation judge.

He was reappointed by Gov. Phil Murphy and received tenure on the bench on Feb. 13, 2020.

Prior to his judicial career, Judge Jablonski was in private practice from 1997 to 2013, focusing on family law, real estate, civil litigation, as well as criminal trial and appellate defense.

He worked for the Office of the Public Defender from 1998 and was a municipal public defender in Kearny from 2001, leaving both positions when he joined the bench in 2013.

He began his law career as a clerk for the late Hudson County Superior Court Judge John A. McLaughlin.

He earned his bachelor’s degree from the  College of the Holy Cross and his law degree from Thomas M. Cooley Law School at Western Michigan University.

“I want to express my sincere gratitude to Chief Justice Rabner for placing his confidence in me to lead the Hudson Vicinage. I look forward to continuing Judge Bariso’s legacy and to working with all of the outstanding judges and staff for the residents of Hudson County,” Judge Jablonski said.

In the state of New Jersey, the assignment judge has a wealth of responsibilities. Among them, according to the State Judiciary, are:

• Implementation of all court rules and regulations under the direction of the Chief Justice of the State Supreme Court.
• Management of the finances of the vicinage.
• Oversight on all court matters.
• Administration of all court units in the vicinage.
• Appointment and dismissal of the court’s administrative personnel.
• A litany of other responsibilities as assigned by the Chief Justice or the Supreme Court of New Jersey as needed.

The St. Peter’s Prep alum and wife, Christine, have two sons.

Learn more about the writer ...

Kevin A. Canessa Jr. | Editor & Broadcaster

Kevin A. Canessa Jr. is the editor of and broadcaster at The Observer, a place where he has served on and off since 2006. He is responsible for the editorial content of the newspaper and website, the production of the e-Newspaper, writing several stories per week (including the weekly editorial), conducting live broadcasts on Facebook Live , including a weekly recap of the news — and much more behind the scenes. Between 2006 and 2008, he introduced the newspaper to its first-ever blog — which included podcasts, audio and video. Originally from Jersey City, Kevin lived in Kearny until 2004, lived in Port St. Lucie. Florida, for four years until February 2016 and in March of that year, he moved back to West Hudson to return to The Observer full time. Click Here to send Kevin an email.

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