Three judges have been reappointed, and a new judge added, to New Jersey Superior Court.

Stacey Adams, formerly of Littler Mendelson, confirmed to New Jersey Superior Court in May 2019 (Courtesy photo)

Stacey Dawn Adams, a longtime litigator and equity partner in the Newark office of Littler Mendelson, was confirmed by the state Senate on May 30 by a unanimous 38-0 vote, with two members of the 40-member chamber absent. She was assigned to the Family Division in Monmouth County in a court order the same day.

The Senate on May 30 also confirmed three judges for new terms: Michael J. Blee of Atlantic County, Cristen D. A'rrigo of Cumberland County and Louis S. Sceusi of Morris County.

Current judges must be reappointed after the first seven years of service in order to remain on the bench.

Adams, 45, of Colts Neck, said her two decades of litigation experience, where she has represented management-side clients on discrimination and harassment cases, whistleblower lawsuits and breach of contract and wrongful termination claims, will benefit her as a judge.

“I am both honored and humbled by my nomination and confirmation to serve as a judge of the Superior Court,” Adams said in a phone interview on Monday after putting her three kids—Jake, 13, Ryan, 11, and Reese, 8—on a school bus. “I will dedicate myself to this position, using the skills I have developed as a litigator over the past 20 years, to serve the citizens of New Jersey and to promote the interests of justice.”

Becoming a judge, she said, was something she aspired to ever since graduating from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1998. She started her career in Manhattan, where she worked for five years at Morgan, Lewis & Bockius until 2002. From there, she worked at DeCotiis, Fitzpatrick, Cole & Wisler in Teaneck from March 2002 to December 2006.

Since 2006, Adams has been at Littler Mendelson, where she is a partner.

“I wanted to be a judge since I became a lawyer,” Adams said. “I am really looking forward to giving back to the community and providing public service. I have spent my entire career litigating cases in both the federal and state courts of New Jersey. Everything I have done up to this point has prepared me for the job, and I believe I will really be an asset to the bench, given my background and experience.”

When asked how former and current clients would describe her, Adams said, “Hard working and diligent but also empathetic and kind. My clients, as well as my adversaries, would say that I am fair, but diligent in the courtroom. Helping people and also the relationships that I have built with the members of the bar have been the most rewarding two things for me.”

Another passionate pursuit for Adams has been advocating the advancement of women in law. She is a member of several organizations geared toward that, including as executive board member of New Jersey Women Lawyers Association.

She said she is seeing progress with women breaking the glass ceiling, though there was still a long road.

“I am definitely seeing progress in promoting women in the practice of law, which has always been near and dear to my heart,” Adams said.  “I've been active with New Jersey Women Lawyers, which has done a lot with steering women's initiatives, and I do think we are making progress. Littler was tremendously supportive. I am living proof that women can have a successful career and a meaningful family life. I was an equity partner at one of the biggest law firms in the country, and now a judge, and that goes to show that it can happen.”

She said having a work-life balance, although challenging, was possible.

“I think the secret is to have a village supporting you, and I am lucky to have both my mother and in-laws close by and a wonderful support group of friends,” Adams said.

She also has “an amazing, supportive husband,” who is also a full-time practicing lawyer. Adams is married to Christopher Adams, 45, a criminal defense attorney with a private practice in Holmdel. The two graduated law school together.

Adams will sit in Monmouth County, where she resides. She said since her Senate confirmation, she is no longer actively involved in cases and currently transitioning away from her firm. She is expected to take the bench in early July.

The three judges confirmed for tenure all were appointed by then-Gov. Chris Christie in 2012. They garnered a unanimous 38-0 vote in the Senate.

Blee, of Linwood, serves in the Atlantic County Civil Division. He is a former Galloway Township solicitor.

D'Arrigo was assigned to the Family Division in Cumberland County. (Vicinage 15 includes Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem counties). The former Bridgeton attorney formerly practiced at D'Arrigo & D'Arrigo. He resides in Hopewell Township.

Sceusi, of Rockaway was previously with Morristown's Giblin & Combs also was president and general counsel of Lars & Associates, a public relations and advertising firm. He was first assigned to the Family Division in Sussex County. In July 2013, he was assigned to the Family Division in Essex County and in July 2014 was assigned to the Family Part in Morris County.