Today, Judge Stern reached the mandatory retirement age of 70. Accordingly, Chief Justice Rabner appointed Judge Wefing, the Presiding Judge of the Appellate Division, to the seat that Judge Stern had filled. Judge Wefing is expected to serve until Governor Christie nominates and the Senate confirms someone to fill the seat, which became vacant when Governor Christie declined to reappoint Justice Wallace. The latest date that that is expected to happen is March 2012, when Justice Wallace will turn 70. Democrats in the Senate had stated that they would not consider the Governor’s nominee to fill the seat before Justice Wallace’s 70th birthday when, had he been reappointed, he would have been required to retire.
The appointment of Judge Wefing puts women in the majority on the Court, for the first time ever, by a 4-3 margin. If Anne Patterson is confirmed to replace Justice Rivera-Soto, there would then be five women and two men on the Court.
Judge Wefing has touched all the judical bases, having served in the Law Division, the Chancery Division (in two different Counties), and the Appellate Division. She has been a judge for over 25 years and has an enviable record. The public will be well-served by her presence on the Court.
Judge Stern too has served the public well in his months on the Court. There will be more about Judge Stern on this blog next week, following his retirement dinner, to which I have been invited.