NJ Senate Approves 7 New Superior Court Judges, 4 From Essex County; Apter Nomination Fizzles | New Jersey Law Journal – Law.com

Seven Superior Court judges won confirmation from the state Senate on Monday, bringing sorely needed extra help to the state’s understaffed courts.

The nominees who were confirmed include four from Essex County, which has been particularly hard-hit by the judge shortage. They are Lori Grifa, an Archer attorney who served as commissioner of the state Department of Community Affairs under Gov. Chris Christie; Joanne Cocchiola, a municipal court judge and former mayor of Nutley; Heather Taylor, Gov. Phil Murphy’s chief ethics officer; and MeLinda Hawkins Taylor, a former deputy attorney general and assistant prosecutor.