Thomas R. Vena

Professional career

• Seasoned New Jersey judge with a long career in criminal, family, and civil law, now in a temporary recall to serve in the Civil Division of Essex County until late 2028.
• Retired judge of the Essex County Superior Court (Vicinage 5) in New Jersey, appointed by former Governor Christine Todd Whitman on November 16, 2000
• Administrative Law: held the role of an administrative law judge for the New Jersey Office of Administrative Law (1998–2000)
• Legal Practice: Partner at Vena & Theroux, South Orange (1991–2000)
• 43:6A‐13 and is subject to the Chief Justice’s approval
• His background includes legal practice, administrative law judging, and over two decades on the Superior Court bench

Education

Additional information

• Served in multiple divisions — Criminal (2000–2007), Family (2007–2009), and Civil (2009–present) — before reaching mandatory retirement in 2022
• 6, 2028) During this recall, he remains temporarily assigned to the Civil Division of the Essex County Superior Court (Vicinage 5).
• This arrangement is authorized under N.J.S.A.