Retired Appellate Division Chief Judge Carmen Messano Appointed Chair of ACJC

The Supreme Court has appointed a retired chief judge of the Appellate Division to chair the panel that investigates allegations of unethical conduct against judges, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner announced today.

Effective Sept. 1, Judge Carmen Messano succeeds retired Justice Virginia A. Long as head of the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct (ACJC).

The ACJC holds public hearings on formal complaints against judges and can recommend discipline to the Supreme Court, including suspension or removal. The committee also can impose private discipline on its own, such as a reprimand or censure. 

Judge Messano retired in May 2023 after more than 25 years on the bench, including 10 years as the chief judge of the Appellate Division. He was appointed to a three-year term on the panel. 

“I am honored to have been selected by Chief Justice Rabner and the Court to serve as chairperson of the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct. The committee's work is essential to maintain the public's trust in the integrity and impartiality of our judiciary, the finest in the nation,” Judge Messano said.

Justice Long has chaired the ACJC for the past 10 years. Her term on the committee expired Aug. 31. 

“Our justice system benefitted greatly from Justice Long’s wise and thoughtful leadership during her decade of service to the ACJC,” Chief Justice Rabner said. “We welcome Judge Messano, another gifted leader who will uphold the high standards of the ACJC as it continues its vital work to maintain the public trust.”

The Court also named retired Superior Court Assignment Judge Georgia M. Curio as vice-chair, succeeding retired Appellate Presiding Judge Stephen Skillman, whose term on the ACJC also ended.

Judge Curio was initially appointed to the ACJC in 2019. The committee also includes members of the New Jersey Bar and the general public.

The recent Supreme Court order also reappointed attorney Diana C. Manning and Paul J. Walker to new three-year terms.

ACJC terms can be as long as 12 years, broken into four three-year terms.