On Friday, Jan. 17, 2014, Superior Court Judge Faustino J. Fernandez-Vina returned to his law school alma mater Rutgers–Camden for a ceremonial swearing-in as a new associate justice on the New Jersey Supreme Court.
More than 200 guests, including those from all three branches of government, members of the New Jersey bar, and Fernandez-Vina’s family and friends, attended the private Rutgers–Camden ceremony held in the Gordon Theater.
New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner presided over the ceremony and swore in Fernandez-Vina. Remarks were also given by Gov. Chris Christie and the Hon. Francis Orlando, Jr., former assignment judge of Camden County.
Given the nickname of “Fuzzy,” during his midget football years in Barrington for sporting skills indicative of Fuzzy Thurston of Packers fame, everyone on stage called the new associate justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court what he calls himself.
Even Gov. Christie recalled first learning of Fernandez-Vina’s preference to be called “Fuzzy.”
“There is a change in status in the public when one goes from lawyer to judge — it’s an exalted position,” remarked Christie. “What you’re looking for when you are picking a judge is someone who understands it is an exalted position, but doesn’t believe themselves to be exalted…Justice Fuzzy. It’s exactly the right name for him. That’s why he stuck so closely to it.”
A 1981 alumnus of the School of Law, the Cuban-born Justice Fernandez-Vina said holding the ceremony at Rutgers–Camden was “very meaningful” to him. “I have a great deal of respect for the Rutgers–Camden law school and its commitment to legal education and the success of its students.”
Justice Fernandez-Vina joins fellow Rutgers Law–Camden alumnus Judge Ariel Rodriguez ‘73, who continues to serve on temporary assignment to the New Jersey Supreme Court since Oct. 1, 2012.
While Rutgers Law–Camden’s extensive alumni network represents more than 100 members of the judiciary in the Garden State, across the United States, and in some international capacities, Justice Fernandez-Vina marks the law school’s first graduate to be nominated and confirmed for the New Jersey Supreme Court.
According to Rayman Solomon, dean of Rutgers Law–Camden, hosting an event of this magnitude is a gratifying moment for the institution.
“We extend our congratulations to Justice Fernandez-Vina and we are proud that he has received this honor,” says Solomon. “He has been a wonderful mentor to a number of our students who have clerked for him and I know that his service on the court will be distinguished.”
On his own experience at Rutgers Law–Camden, Justice Fernandez-Vina notes: “I cherish the friendships I made there and the memories of those days. I utilize all aspects of my legal education, which was very thorough and complete thanks to Rutgers staff.”
Appointed to the Superior Court bench by then-Gov. James E. McGreevey on July 16, 2004, Judge Fernandez-Vina first sat in the civil division of the Camden Vicinage, moved to the family division in 2006, and then became presiding judge in the civil division for five years. Chief Justice Stuart Rabner named him assignment judge of the Camden Vicinage on Jan. 11, 2012. Justice Faustino-Vina was appointed by Gov. Chris Christie to the New Jersey Supreme Court on Sept. 30, 2013 and was officially sworn into office on Nov. 19, 2013, following confirmation by the state Senate.
A member of the Executive Committee of the New Jersey State Bar Association, Justice Fernandez-Vina served on the District IV Ethics Committee, the Committee on Character, Judicial Appointment Committee, and the Civil Practice Committee, among others. He was a law clerk to the Honorable E. Stevenson Fluharty, J.S.C., before going into private practice.
A graduate of Widener University, where he was a captain of the football team, Fernandez-Vina is certified as a civil trial attorney by the Supreme Court of New Jersey and is a member of the New Jersey State Bar Association and the Camden County and Burlington County Bar Associations.
The ceremony closed with an “honored and humbled” Justice Fuzzy stating, “I will always remain a guardian to the rule of law.”