Lautenberg, Menendez Announce Senate Judiciary Committee Approval of Shipp, McNulty for Federal Judgeships

Today, U.S. Senators Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) and Robert Menendez (D-NJ) announced that the Senate Judiciary Committee has approved the nominations of Magistrate Judge Michel Shipp and attorney Kevin McNulty for judgeships on the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. The nominations must now be approved by the full Senate.

"The Senate Judiciary Committee has taken an important step to advance the nominations of these two well-qualified members of New Jersey's legal community to serve on the U.S. District Court," Lautenberg said. "Judge Shipp is an excellent magistrate judge who has demonstrated intellect and fairness in the courtroom. Mr. McNulty is an accomplished lawyer with decades of experience in public service and in the private sector. The full Senate must not delay these confirmations, and must take action to fill our District Court vacancies."

"I am incredibly pleased that the Senate Judiciary Committee has approved the nominations of Kevin McNulty and Michael Shipp," said Menendez, who previously provided testimony to the committee emphasizing their professional track records and extraordinary knowledge of the law. "Their experience and qualifications make them exceptional candidates to serve on the U.S. District Court and I look forward to a swift confirmation process in the Senate. Kevin McNulty has demonstrated a strong analytical ability, outstanding work ethic and deep knowledge of the law and he is well qualified to serve as a district judge. Michael Shipp has extraordinary legal experience and a deep and abiding commitment to the law. I wholeheartedly support their nominations and urge their quick confirmation."

Michael Shipp is a native of Paterson currently serving as a U.S. Magistrate Judge in the District Court for the District of New Jersey and as an adjunct professor at Seton Hall Law School. His experience includes service in the New Jersey Attorney General's Office, including serving as the top advisor to two New Jersey Attorneys General. Judge Shipp also has experience in private practice, and served as a law clerk to former New Jersey Supreme Court Justice James H. Coleman. He is a graduate of Rutgers University and Seton Hall Law School.

Kevin McNulty currently heads the appellate practice at Gibbons P.C. in Newark. Mr. McNulty spent more than a decade prosecuting criminal cases as an Assistant United States Attorney in New Jersey and served as Chief of the Appeals Division and Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division. Mr. McNulty served as a clerk to former U.S. Federal District Court Judge Frederick B. Lacey. He is a graduate of Yale University and New York University School of Law.

Source