Walsh Honored by Judicial Nomination

Cranford lawyer and Westfield resident Thomas Walsh will most likely be making a slight career change in the next few days.

He has been nominated by Gov. Jon Corzine to serve as a judge of the state Superior Court. The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the nomination, which will have to be OKed by the full Senate on Monday. If Walsh's nomination is not confirmed before noon on Tuesday, it would need to be remade when the legislature convenes for a new session.

Walsh, an attorney with the Cranford firm of Triarsi, Betancourt, Walsh and Wukovits, is a former assistant county prosecutor according to his biography on the firm's Web site. He is a member of the New York and New Jersey bars and has been a  member of his current firm since 1995. Walsh is the law partner of former Councilman Rafael Betancourt. He is a graduate of Kean College and CUNY Law School.

"I am a trial attorney," he said. "I do all areas of law. For the last half dozen years it's been with an empathsis on family law."

A former assistant prosecutor in Union County, Walsh has harbored judicial ambitions for a number of years. The process of getting to the bench started with gaining the support of who recommended him to the governor's office. The process continued with meetings with the governor's legal advisors and then before a judicial screening committee which advises Corzine on Superior Court nominees. The nomination was made by Corzine in November on the same day the outgoing governor nominated his chief of staff, Ed McBride, to a judgeship in South Jersey.

Under the tradition of senatorial courtesy where all state senators who reside in a county have veto power over nominees who live in their county, Walsh also reached out to Sen. Ray Lesniak (D-Elizabeth) and Nick Scutari (D-Linden), for their support in the process. He indicated the two Democratic senators have approved of his nomination. Both Lesniak and Scutari serve on the judiciary committee which must approve of Walsh's nomination before the full Senate.

Walsh's nomination is running against the clock, as it will expire at noon on Jan. 12, when the current legislative term ends, if not confirmed by the Senate. Senate Republicans, led by Kean, have indicated a desire to block Corzine's lameduck nominations, preferring to give the choice to Gov.-Elect Chris Christie. Kean's sponsorship of Walsh's nomination and Walsh's standing as one of Corzine's Republican nominees will likely allow the nomination to head through the Senate before the Jan. 12 deadline.

Walsh said he remains optismistic based on the conversations he has had in Trenton.

"Everyone I've spoken to seems optimistic that they'll get it done in a few weeks," he said.

Walsh will likely take the oath of office two to three weeks after his Senate confirmation. He is not sure where county Assignment Judge Karen Cassidy will assign him to serve if he is confirmed. Cassidy has the option of assigning him to hear criminal, civil or family law cases.

"I'd be honored to serve wherever they choose to put me," Walsh said.

As a state judge, Walsh can also be designated by state Chief Justice Stuart Rabner to serve as an appeals court judge or to take on administrative roles in the judiciary. Walsh's term will run for seven years and then he will be eligible for renomination, by the governor at that time, to a tenured term which would allow him to serve as a state judge until he turns 70. Most state judges are routinely renominated by the governor and reconfirmed by the Senate for tenured terms.

Walsh has been active in several community activities including the Friendly Sons of St. Patrick and as a coach in the PAL league in Westfield. He and his wife Diane, the chief of staff to Assemblyman Jon Bramnick (R-Westfield), live in Westfield with their son.

Walsh said that while he is excited to join the bench, he is finding it strange to change his approach to law for the rest of his career.

"I'm incredibly excited for the opportunity and honor," he said. "It will be a little strange not being in front of the bench, being an advocate. That's what I've done for 20 years. It will be an adjustment."