Fabiana Pierre-Louis
TRENTON (New Jersey, US), Sept 5 (NNN-AGENCIES) — New Jersey has had two Black justices in its court’s history. The last time a Black judge was sworn in was 20 years ago and they were both men.
On Tuesday, Fabiana Pierre-Louis was sworn in as the newest member of the New Jersey Supreme Court, making her the first Black female justice in the state’s 224-year-history and the youngest to ever occupy that position.
The 39-year-old daughter of Haitian immigrants has broken the stereotypical boundaries and excelled in her chosen career field beyond her imagination.
She said she just wanted to be a successful lawyer who wants to create an impact the best way she could. To be a supreme court justice is a dream come true.
Pierre-Louis is a first-generation American who grew up in a family of seven in a two-bedroom apartment in Brooklyn before relocating to Irvington. She now lives in Mount Laurel. Her mother worked for several years at the Manhattan hospital and her father drove a taxi in New York.
She earned her undergrad degree from Rutgers University-New Brunswick and then went on to Rutgers Law School in Camden where she graduated with high honors.
She had the pleasure of working with the last Black member of the Supreme Court Justice John Wallace Jr. as a law clerk.
The now mother of two was the first Black woman to run the U.S. Attorney’s Office in both Trenton and Camden where she worked for nine years as a prosecutor for the District of New Jersey.
She then returned to private practice at Cherry Hill firm Montgomery McCracken, focusing on white-collar crime, complex commercial litigation and government investigation.
Governor Phil Murphy nominated Pierre-Louis to the State Supreme Court in June. Her nomination was sent to the New Jersey State Bar Association’s Judicial and Prosecutorial Appointments Committee. The confirmation by the state Senate sealed the deal for her as their decision was unanimous.
This appointment is not permanent because Pierre-Louis must serve seven years before state lawmakers make her seat permanent. Her age is an advantage as she will have three decades to help shape the courts in New Jersey.
Pierre-Louis was chosen based on merit. Murphy and the state lawmakers said she was chosen because of her sharp mind and excellent resume.
Also, she brings the much-needed diversity and new perspective to the bench, especially now that the U.S. is in a constant battle with institutional racism and racial injustice. — NNN-AGENCIES
