Distinguished Alumnus and New Jersey Supreme Court Justice to Serve as Rutgers Law School Commencement Speaker in Camden

The Hon. Faustino J. Fernandez-Vina, an associate justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, will present the keynote address during the school’s commencement ceremony to be held at 2 p.m. Thursday, May 19, at the BB&T Pavilion on the Camden Waterfront.

During the law school ceremony, Rutgers University–Camden Chancellor Phoebe Haddon will confer an honorary Doctorate of Letters to Sister Mary Scullion, co-founder of Project HOME, a nationally recognized organization that provides extensive support services to homeless and low-income individuals. Committed to social justice, Rutgers Law School, through its 18 clinics, provides over 25,000 hours of free legal services each year. Rutgers Law School students, who will hear Sr. Mary offer remarks, have recorded over 7,200 hours of pro bono service in the last academic year. 

While Justice Fernandez-Vina was nominated to the Supreme Court by Gov. Chris Christie on Sept. 30, 2013 and was sworn into office on Nov. 19, 2013, Rutgers Law School was honored to host the 1981 alumnus’ ceremonial swearing-in held on Jan. 17, 2014 in the Gordon Theater with hundreds of guests in attendance.

 According to Rutgers Law School Acting Co-Dean John Oberdiek, Justice “Fuzzy” – a welcomed nickname earned during his midget football days – exemplifies the best of Rutgers Law School, dedicating his career to excellence in lawyering and public service.

“We are proud to call Justice Fuzzy one of ours. He has been a leader on the bench and a mentor to our students who have clerked for him. His return to Rutgers Law School as commencement speaker has been much anticipated,” says Oberdiek.

Born in Santiago, he was appointed to the Superior Court by Gov. James E. McGreevey on July 16, 2004. Justice 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 Fernandez-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.