Chief Justice Stuart Rabner today appointed a new assignment judge for Atlantic and Cape May counties to succeed retiring Judge Valerie Armstrong. Superior Court Judge Julio Mendez, who becomes New Jersey's first Hispanic assignment judge, will replace Armstrong on Nov. 1. “Judge Mendez has proven himself a leader among his peers and a jurist of the highest caliber. The...
Chief Justice Stuart Rabner today appointed a new assignment judge for Atlantic and Cape May counties to succeed retiring Judge Valerie Armstrong.Chief Justice Stuart Rabner today appointed a new assignment judge for Atlantic and Cape May counties to succeed retiring Judge Valerie Armstrong.
Superior Court Judge Julio Mendez, who becomes New Jersey's first Hispanic assignment judge, will replace Armstrong on Nov. 1.
“Judge Mendez has proven himself a leader among his peers and a jurist of the highest caliber. The judges, staff, attorneys and litigants in Atlantic and Cape May counties will be well served by his experience and dedication,'' Rabner said in a prepared statement. “As Judge Mendez steps in to succeed Judge Armstrong, we thank her for her service and wish her well in her retirement.''
An attorney in private practice for 20 years, Mendez, 55, was appointed by Gov. James McGreevey in 2002 and reappionted with tenure by Gov. Jon Corzine in 2009.
Originally assigned to Cumberland County, Mendez spent two years in the criminal division before moving to the family division, which he headed as presiding judge after one year there. That court system also includes Salem and Gloucester counties.
Mendez served as chairman of the Children in Court Committee of the Conference of Presiding Family Judges and spent six years on the Supreme Court Committee on Family Practice. He also is a member of the Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Outside Activities of Judiciary Employees.
A graduate of Glassboro State College, Mendez earned his juris doctorate from the Rutgers School of Law in Camden in 1981.
“I am grateful to be selected by Chief Justice Rabner to lead the outstanding judges and staff in the Atlantic and Cape May courthouses,'' Mendez said. ``When I left my native Cuba as a teenager, it would have been impossible to imagine the honor of serving New Jersey as a judge in this role. And while succeeding Judge Armstrong is certainly a challenge, it is one I promise to face with my new colleagues in a spirit of fairness and integrity and with hard work.''
Armstong, 65, is retiring after 20 years on the bench *mdash; half of them as assignment judge — in Atlantic County.