Rutgers alumna becomes first Black female justice on NJ Supreme Court
Fabiana Pierre-Louis, a new member of the New Jersey Supreme Court, was sworn in on Tuesday and became the first Black female justice in New Jersey’s history, according to an article on NJ Advance Media.
“Today, history was made,” Gov. Phil Murphy (D-N.J.) said according to a tweet. “Thrilled to attend the swearing in of Pierre-Louis to the New Jersey Supreme Court — the first Black woman to be seated on the state’s highest court.”
She was nominated by Murphy in June, according to NJ Advance Media. Murphy said he selected her because she will offer the New Jersey Supreme Court a new perspective while the country continues to deal with unrest and racial injustice.
“Her humility, empathy and character will serve the people of New Jersey well,” Murphy said according to a tweet at the time.
Pierre-Louis received her undergraduate degree from Rutgers—New Brunswick and graduated from Rutgers Law School in Camden, according to NJ Advance Media. She later worked as a law clerk for New Jersey Supreme Court Justice John Wallace Jr. and spent nine years as a prosecutor in the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey.
As the youngest justice currently serving on the court, Pierre-Louis will have the opportunity to receive lifetime tenure after serving seven years, according to NJ Advance Media.
