Contacts

Newark
Phone: (973) 639-8700
Toll Free: (888) 398-1642
Fax: (973) 639-8723

Camden
Phone: (856) 338-8922
Fax: (856) 338-8936

Washington, DC
Phone: (202) 224-3224
TTY: (202) 224-2087
Fax: (202) 228-4054

Email Senator Lautenberg »



Quick Links


HealthCare.gov: Take health care into your own hands Learn More

Newsroom: Press Releases

Lautenberg Applauds Judiciary Committee for Bipartisan Approval of Judge Patty Shwartz to Serve on Third Circuit Court of Appeals Judge Patty Shwartz

Lautenberg Press Office, 202-224-3224
Thursday, February 14, 2013

WASHINGTON, D.C.— U.S. Sen. Frank R. Lautenberg (D-NJ) today applauded the Senate Judiciary Committee for voting 11-7 to approve the nomination of Magistrate Judge Patty Shwartz, who he recommended to serve on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.  Republican Senator Lindsay Graham (R-SC) joined Judiciary Committee Democrats in voting for Shwartz's nomination.  The nomination must now be confirmed by the full Senate.

“The Judiciary Committee vote demonstrates growing bipartisan support for Judge Shwartz to serve on the Circuit Court.  She is a highly qualified and widely respected judge and I applaud the Judiciary Committee for advancing her nomination,” said Lautenberg.  “We must now ensure that Judge Shwartz's confirmation moves quickly to a full Senate vote.”  

Last year, Judge Shwartz's nomination was approved in the Senate Judiciary Committee in the 112th Congress, but votes on Circuit Court nominations were held up in the full Senate by Republicans.  Judge Shwartz was the next Circuit Court nominee in line for a floor vote when Senate Republicans decided to block further votes on Circuit Court nominees.  Judge Shwartz is supported by both New Jersey Senators and Governor Chris Christie. 

Judge Shwartz was born in Paterson, New Jersey.  She received her B.A. in from Rutgers University, graduating with highest honors.  She received her J.D. from the University of Pennsylvania Law School, where she was named the Outstanding Woman Law Graduate of her class.  After graduating from law school, she worked as an associate at Pepper, Hamilton & Scheetz (now Pepper Hamilton LLP) before serving as a law clerk to the Honorable Harold A. Ackerman of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.  Judge Shwartz  also spent 14 years in the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, where she prosecuted a wide range of criminal cases and rose to the positions of Chief of the Criminal Division and Executive Assistant U.S. Attorney. 

Judge Patty Shwartz has served as a Magistrate Judge on the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey since 2003.  Since becoming a Magistrate Judge, she has handled more than 4,000 civil and criminal cases.  She has issued opinions and orders resolving pre-trial disputes in civil cases, written reports and recommendations to district court judges on a variety of issues, conducted preliminary proceedings in criminal cases, and presided over 14 trials with the consent of the parties.

On February 15, 2012, Sen. Lautenberg introduced Judge Shwartz to the Judiciary Committee.  His remarks can be viewed here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jog0_dVT264

 

###

Return to Press Releases