Andrea Sullivan, Greenbaum Rowe Smith & Davis

The nomination of Andrea J. Sullivan—a Middlesex County litigator who has spent three decades at Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis in the firm's Woodbridge office— for Superior Court judge cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee by a 7-0 vote.

Only six "yes" votes—or a majority—were needed to release the nomination. The seven members of the 11-member committee who were present on Thursday and voted`yes'  were: Committee Chair Sen. Nicholas Scutari, D-Union, Sen. Nellie Pou, D-Bergen, Sen. Joseph Cryan, D-Union, (who subbed in for Sen. Paul Sarlo, D-Bergen), Sen. Bob Smith, D-Middlesex, Sen. Christopher "Kip" Bateman, R-Somerset,  Sen. Gerald Cardinale, R-Bergen, and Sen. Kristin Corrado, R-Bergen.

A judicial nominee is usually voted on by the full Senate at the next session following the committee hearing. Sullivan's nomination is expected be considered by the 40-member Senate on July 30, the upper chamber's next scheduled session.

Sullivan, 59, a former president of both the Middlesex County Bar Association (2016-2017) and Middlesex County Bar Foundation (2007-2008), said she is very much looking forward to her new role after three decades focusing on commercial, matrimonial and estate litigation at Greenbaum.

"It's the pinnacle of a legal career," Sullivan told the Law Journal on Wednesday, the eve before her hearing. "I have spent 30 years in private practice and I love being a lawyer. I am very much looking forward to serving on the Judiciary to continue to do my part for the legal community and citizens of New Jersey."

Sullivan's home senator, Smith, gave her a rousing endorsement prior to the committee vote on Thursday.

"She's even-tempered, smart. She is exactly the type of person we want as a Superior Court judge," said Smith. "I can tell you that members of the bar in Middlesex County who've known her for years think that she will truly be a great addition to the Middlesex County Superior Bar."

Scutari ticked off Sullivan's credentials before handing the podium to her: "Andrea Sullivan graduated law school [Rutgers University School of Law-Newark] in 1989 Magna Cum Laude. She's published numerous articles and has a number of trials under her belt. She's had a long and distinguished career at a very distinguished firm and has a great reputation amongst other lawyers," said Scutari.

Sullivan, who has three young adult children, resides in North Brunswick with her husband, Tom Salomone, who's retired.

"This is a truly humbling and exciting time in my life," Sullivan, wearing a face mask, told lawmakers.  "I want to thank my law firm where I have practiced for the past 30 years for the opportunity to practice law with outstanding lawyers and outstanding staff. It has been a true privilege.

"I have loved being a lawyer and I'm a very proud member of what I consider to be a most noble profession," said Sullivan. "To have the opportunity to serve as a member the Judiciary is a position that requires intellect, integrity and empathy. It requires a great deal of hard work and commitment."

Sullivan joined Greenbaum in 1990 and was an associate until 1998. She made partner in 1999 and worked in the Litigation Practice representing individuals and business entities in commercial, estate, matrimonial, chancery litigation, and alternative dispute resolution.

On her resume, Sullivan states she has significant experience in handling contract and partnership disputes, actions involving closely held companies, oppressed minority shareholder litigation, hiring and termination of senior employees, non-compete issues, and other "business divorce" matters. Her clients have included attorneys and accountants in various actions, ranging from professional malfeasance to claims of fraud and alleged professional malpractice.

The year following law school, Sullivan served as Law Secretary to Superior Court Judge Erminie Lane Conley in the Chancery Division, General Equity Part, from 1989-1990, handling all aspects of motions filed in the General Equity and Probate parts of the Superior Court and preparing research memoranda and drafted opinions.

Sullivan is licensed to practice in New Jersey, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

Her professional memberships include Member and Board of Trustee of the New Jersey State Bar Association, Board member of the New Jersey Supreme Court Board on Continuing Legal Education (2016-present) and Board member of the New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on the Rules of Evidence (2019-present).

Sullivan told the Senate Judiciary panel that she has reviewed the bench manual on jury selection authored mostly by Union County Superior Judge James Hely and the model "voir dire" questions from the committee that are used by judges in determining the impartiality of potential jurors for civil trials in New Jersey. Sullivan said she fully intends to follow both if assigned to the Civil part.

Sullivan said she would accept faxes and emails "and any other way that the legal community reaches out to chambers."

"Government matters," Sullivan said in her brief testimony. "Government service matters if we are to work toward a great and better society for everyone. So I thank you for your service, and I welcome the opportunity to also be of service in this great government."