*** CLICK HERE for video of the hearing ***

Washington - US Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today introduced New Jersey judicial nominees Kevin McNulty and Michael Shipp to the Senate Judiciary Committee as the committee held a hearing on their nominations. In his remarks, Menendez emphasized the nominees' extensive professional track record, extraordinary knowledge of the law, and strong qualifications to serve the state of New Jersey as District Court Judges. Menendez released the following statement after the hearing concluded:

"It was an honor to introduce Kevin McNulty and Judge Michael Shipp to the Senate Judiciary Committee today as the committee begins consideration of their nominations to serve New Jersey as US District Judges. Kevin McNulty possesses exemplary analytical skills, a strong work ethic and an extraordinary knowledge of the law. Michael Shipp has an abiding commitment to the rule of law, a deep knowledge of both criminal and civil law, and a long commitment to public service. Their qualifications will make them exceptional additions to the federal bench in New Jersey and I will continue to offer my strong support as we move forward in this process. I urged the committee to unanimously approve their nominations and I have every expectation that these nominees will be approved by the committee in the coming weeks."

Below are also his opening remarks and introduction of the nominees at the Senate Judiciary Committee Hearing:

Introduction of Kevin McNulty and Michael Shipp
Remarks by Senator Robert Menendez - As Prepared for Delivery
Senate Judiciary Committee - March 15, 2012

Mr. Chairman, I'm honored to introduce two New Jerseyans to the Committee today.

First, let me introduce Kevin McNulty for consideration as the next United States District Judge for the District of New Jersey.

A District Judge must possess exemplaryanalytical skills, a strong work ethic, and an extraordinary knowledge of the law.

Mr. McNulty has demonstrated these qualities on countless occasions.

He is the Chair of the Appeals Group in the prestigious law firm of Gibbons, P.C.

At Gibbons, he has been directly involved in approximately 100 appeals related to a wide variety of legal issues including pharmaceutical, intellectual property, commercial, and criminal matters.
He has tirelessly fought for his client's interests.

His hard work and dedication earned him New Jersey Law Journal's Lawyer of the Year Award for 2008.

Before joining Gibbons, Mr. McNulty served as Chief of the Appeals Division of the United States Attorney's Office.

He was the Lead Attorney for the Organized Crime & Drug Enforcement Task Force, as well as the Ethics Officer and Grand Jury Coordinator.

While serving at the U.S. Attorney's Office, Mr. McNulty was honored with the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association Award.

He began his professional career as a law clerk for the Honorable Frederick B. Lacey, U.S. District Judge for the District of New Jersey.

He graduated cum laude and was third in his class at the New York University School of Law.
His academic achievement also earned him membership in the New York University Law Review, where he served as Articles Editor, and membership in the honors society Order of the Coif.

While at New York University School of Law, he was awarded the American Judicial Society Prize, Pomeroy Prize, and the Moot Court Advocacy Award.

Outside of his professional career, he has demonstrated an admirable commitment to public service.

He is a member of the Board of Trustees of the Urban League of Essex County, New Jersey, and he is a former member of the Third Circuit Lawyers' Advisory Committee.

He is coauthor of the Pennsylvania Bar Institute Guide to Third Circuit practice, and he has written and spoken on various legal topics.

He is also an active member of the New Jersey, Federal, and American Bar Associations. Throughout his career, Kevin McNulty has demonstrated a strong analytical ability, rapid research skills, and an outstanding work ethic, and he is well-equipped to serve with distinction as a district judge for the district of New Jersey.

In sum, the depth and breadth of Mr. McNulty's experience and qualifications make him well qualified for the position of U.S. District Judge.

Mr. Chairman, Members of the Committee...

I also want to introduce and express my strong support for Judge Michael A. Shipp for the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.

All of us in New Jersey are very familiar with Judge Shipp's qualifications, and he is an exceptional candidate for the Federal bench.

Judge Shipp is an accomplished jurist with impressive qualifications.

With almost five years experience as a Federal Magistrate Judge for the District of New Jersey, he is well prepared to be a Federal District Judge.

He has successfully managed significant and complex cases as a magistrate, and has, on occasion, served as the district court judge in cases with magistrate jurisdiction.

The first eight years of his distinguished legal career were spent in the litigation department at the law firm of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom.

In 2003, he left the firm to serve in the public sector as an Assistant Attorney General for Consumer Protection in the Office of the Attorney General of New Jersey where he honed his expertise in Consumer Fraud Prosecution, Insurance Fraud Prosecution, Securities Fraud Prosecution, Professional Boards Prosecution, and Debt Recovery.

Judge Shipp excelled at the Office of the Attorney General, and was twice promoted within the Office, first as liaison to the Attorney General, and second as Counsel to the Attorney General.

As Counsel, he was in charge of day-to-day operations of the Department of Law and Public Safety, a department with over 10,000 employees and 800 attorneys.

Judge Shipp is also deeply involved in the legal community.

Beyond his leadership role with the New Jersey State Bar Association and his membership in the Garden State Bar Association, he has served as a faculty member of Seton Hall University School of Law's Summer Institute for Pre-Legal Studies, which helps disadvantaged students develop their interest in the law.

He has also served on the faculty of the New Jersey Attorney General's Advocacy Institute, which ensures that attorneys representing the State of New Jersey maintain the highest possible levels of professionalism.

Judge Shipp is also a proud New Jerseyan with deep roots in our State.

He is a native of Paterson New Jersey.

He grew up in New Jersey. He lives in New Jersey. He has built his life and career in New Jersey.
He earned his degrees from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey, and Seton Hall University School of Law.

After graduating, he went on to clerk for the Honorable James Coleman, a Justice on the Supreme Court of New Jersey.

Michael Shipp is a proud New Jerseyan, an honorable man who will serve with distinction.
He is a man with a judicial temperament, extraordinary legal experience, a deep and abiding commitment to the rule of law.

Mr. Chairman, I wholeheartedly urge the Committee to vote in favor of both of these men, Kevin McNulty and Michael Shipp as District Court Judges for the District of New Jersey, and recommend them to the full Senate.

Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you to the distinguished members of the Committee.

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