---
title: "John Zunic | KnowJudges"
canonical: "https://knowjudges.com/kyj/judge/john-zunic-nj-essex"
page_type: "judge_profile"
updated: "2026-10-07"
---

# John Zunic

New Jersey Superior Court, Essex Vicinage · Civil Presiding Judge

## Profile

- Court: New Jersey Superior Court, Essex Vicinage
- State: New Jersey
- Role: Civil Presiding Judge
- Service status: active
- Last verified: 2026-07-26

## Summary

Official statewide and applicable court procedural guidance applies to this judge.

## Before you appear

- Read the judge-specific standing order first when one is listed.
- Check the docket and case orders for requirements that supersede broader guidance.
- Confirm current remote-access and courtroom technology arrangements before the proceeding.

## Courtroom Rules

### media access and electronic devices

Scope: statewide

New Jersey statewide Supreme Court guidelines govern media access and electronic devices in courtrooms; recording, photography, broadcasting, and transmission require compliance with the published approval process and courtroom restrictions.

Evidence excerpt: Transmission, broadcasting, recording and/or photographing is prohibited at any proceeding closed by court order, statute, or Rule of Court.

[New Jersey Courts](https://www.njcourts.gov/sites/default/files/notices/2024/07/n240723a.pdf)
Source checked: 2026-07-26


## Sources

- [Official profile](https://www.njcourts.gov/public/directories/judges/all)
- [Official roster](https://www.njcourts.gov/public/directories/judges/all)
- [New Jersey Courts official judicial roster](https://www.njcourts.gov/public/directories/judges/all)
- [New Jersey Courts](https://www.njcourts.gov/sites/default/files/notices/2024/07/n240723a.pdf)

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## Biography

### Professional career

- As of March 1, 2026, he serves as the Presiding Judge of the Civil Division in Essex County
- Before his judicial appointment, Zunic practiced law as a solo criminal defense attorney starting in 1995.
- Judge John Zunic combines extensive legal experience with judicial leadership, currently guiding the Civil Division in Essex County

### Education



### Additional information

- Reappointed in 2022 and may serve until the mandatory retirement age of 70.
- Joined the Superior Court of New Jersey, Vicinage 5 (Essex County) by Republican Governor Chris Christie and confirmed by the State Senate on August 13, 2015.
- overseeing civil cases and administrative functions within the division
- As a Superior Court Judge, Zunic presides over cases in the New Jersey Superior Courts, including civil matters in Essex County.
- He also held the role of Of Counsel at The Toscano Law Firm, LLC, a prominent boutique law firm in New Jersey, where he contributed to civil and criminal legal matters.
- His legal expertise spans both civil and criminal law, reflecting a broad professional background prior to joining the bench



## Published courtroom rules

### Shared court rules

- [New Jersey Courts](https://knowjudges.com/courtroom-rules/national-shared-set-c9ef48d54ca091cafd206659) — Scope is limited to the court class in the source claim.  Shared court context only; case-type restrictions, exceptions, later amendments and case orders apply. This is not a personal preference or a complete rules inventory. [Official source](https://www.njcourts.gov/sites/default/files/notices/2024/07/n240723a.pdf). Collected 2026-07-26.