We join all New Jersey attorneys who regret the mandatory retirement, but celebrate the career of Justice Barry T. Albin, a brilliant, conscientious and industrious member of the New Jersey Supreme Court who reached the age of 70 on July 7.

A graduate of Cornell Law School, Justice Albin clerked in the Essex County Prosecutor's Office during law school and then worked in the Appellate Section of the state Division of Criminal Justice and the Passaic and Middlesex county prosecutors' offices before commencing his distinguished career in private practice at Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer. There he met James McGreevey, who recognized his extraordinary ability and later appointed him to the Supreme Court in 2002.  Justice Albin had practical experience in courtrooms and the private practice of law, and combined it with a deep intellect. He served as president of the New Jersey Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in 1999-2000.