WHEREAS, the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association is an independent bar association with over 1,000 members in the State of New Jersey, whose mission is to advance and retain women in the legal profession through education and activism, to promote qualified women to the highest levels of law firm, government, academic, community and corporate positions, and to endorse qualified female attorneys for appointments to the state and federal judiciary and state government.

WHEREAS, the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association respects and honors the independence and integrity of our judges and an independent judicial branch, to which New Jersey residents can confidently turn to resolve their differences in a fair and equitable manner, and

WHEREAS, Chief Justice Stuart J. Rabner was sworn-in as Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court in June 2007, and

WHEREAS, during his tenure on the Supreme Court, Chief Justice Rabner has authored dozens of opinions that exhibit intellectual rigor, clear reasoning and an unbiased commitment to the faithful and thoughtful interpretation and application of New Jersey law, and

WHEREAS, no Chief Justice has been denied tenure under our current Constitution, making it unprecedented for the third co-equal branch of our government to decline reappointment of a Chief Justice, and

WHEREAS, the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association knows of no legitimate basis for denying Chief Justice Rabner reappointment to the New Jersey Supreme Court.

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association calls for and firmly supports the reappointment of Chief Justice Stuart J. Rabner.

Adopted this 15th day of May 2014, by the New Jersey Women Lawyers Association Board of Directors.

Suzanne M. Cerra
President, New Jersey Women Lawyers Association