Melanie M. Nowling Named Trial Court Administrator for Passaic Vicinage

Assignment Judge Rudolph A. Filko announced today the appointment of Melanie M. Nowling as trial court administrator for the Passaic Vicinage, effective Aug. 1.

Nowling, the family division manager in the vicinage, succeeds Robert D. Tracy, who retires July 31 after 34 years with the Judiciary, including the past 10 as trial court administrator.

“In his many years with the Judiciary, Robert Tracy has acted as the consummate professional. Under his leadership, the vicinage has made a concerted effort to connect to the diverse communities of Passaic County, and I am confident Melanie Nowling will build upon this effort,” said Glenn A. Grant, administrative director of the courts.

Under New Jersey court rules, the administrative director of the courts appoints the trial court administrator in each vicinage. Director Grant said he named Nowling on the recommendation of Judge Filko.

Nowling joined the Judiciary in 2005 as the assistant jury manager in the Hudson Vicinage, a position she held for seven months before becoming a supervisor in the vicinage’s Children in Court Unit in the family division.

She held the position of assistant family division manager from August 2007 to January 2011 before moving to the Passaic Vicinage where she served as civil division manager until she became the family division manager in September 2011.

“I am extremely humbled and grateful to serve Passaic County as the Judiciary’s trial court administrator and thank Director Grant and Assignment Judge Filko for this opportunity. I am honored to be in a position to make a difference in people’s lives and I look forward to continuing the legacy of integrity and dedication set by my predecessor, Robert Tracy. I am thankful to be able to work alongside the dedicated judges, managers and staff in Passaic County, as we continue to uphold the vision and mission of the judiciary,” Nowling said.

Nowling earned a bachelor’s degree from Ithaca College and a law degree from Syracuse University College of Law.

The trial court administrator is the highest ranking staff executive in the vicinage in charge of all court operations, including financial management, human resources, and case flow management.