Notable Achievements: Confirmed as associate justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court in 2011 for a seven-year term; William A. Dreier Award for Excellence in the Advancement of Product Liability and Toxic Tort Law (2010) and the New Jersey Commission on Professionalism’s Professional Lawyer of the Year (2007); elected to the New Jersey Fellows of the America Bar Foundation (2011)

Career: Partner at Riker, Danzig, Scherer, Hyland & Perretti LLP, 1992-2011 (joined the firm in 1983); New Jersey deputy attorney general and special assistant to New Jersey attorney general, 1989-90

Education: A.B., government (Phi Beta Kappa); J.D., Cornell, 1983

Personal: Married to James Patterson ’79; lives in Mendham, New Jersey

“When I was 14 I sent my resume to a number of law firms, looking for a job. I was in ninth grade, so my resume wasn’t very long.”

“I will always be grateful to a group of lawyers who didn’t know me but gave me a chance.”

“Doing clerical work as a high school and college student gave me a good idea of the real world in which lawyers work.”

“My liberal arts education was excellent preparation for the responsibility I have now. Dartmouth professors teach good writing, demand that you be clear and concise and rewrite your work product—all things that are required of me now.”

“I worked hard in college but I enjoyed myself—and I met my husband.”

“Most lawyers do think about some day becoming a judge, but I never thought I’d have the opportunity of serving on the highest court in my state. It was an honor to be Gov. Christie’s first Supreme Court nominee. The governor and I became acquainted more than 20 years ago when we were young attorneys in private practice, working on the same side of a complicated case, but for different clients. Despite that, my selection was completely unexpected.”

“I learned something from every case in my 28 years of practicing law—from adversaries as well as colleagues and mentors.”

“The biggest surprise upon joining the court was discovering the importance of oral arguments. As justices we’’re treated to first-rate advocacy by both experienced and young lawyers. Their arguments allow us to gain insights not to be found in briefs.”

“Very rarely do I see a lawyer who is unprepared. Instead I see many at their best.”

“It’s a lot less stressful to be asking the questions rather than to be answering them, as I did when I argued before the court.”

“I wish more people would take a break from televised trials and spend a day in their local courthouses. They would see the tough decisions that are made and the remarkable and often thankless work done by lawyers. Most people who serve on juries gain a new appreciation for the legal system.”

“Our system isn’t perfect, but it’s the best in the world.”

“We take every petition to the court very seriously. We review more than 1,000 a year and look at every one carefully as we decide which to accept. We choose cases that represent pressing issues of public importance that the court hasn’t previously confronted. It’s enormously challenging and satisfying. Every case is interesting.”

“A judge always brings life experience and sensibilities to the decision-making process. That’s appropriate, but it’s absolutely essential that a decision be based on a fair and impartial application of the law to a specific case.”

“New Jersey Supreme Court sessions are webcast, which provides a wonderful window for the public. A few times I’ve been recognized in a supermarket, but it’s almost always been by lawyers.”

“I hope Dartmouth students will not be deterred from pursuing legal careers by reports of a poor job market. Law schools are adjusting to prepare for the future. We will always need outstanding lawyers.”

“I’m very comfortable making decisions. I never get tired of it.”