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Kean Hosts Swearing-in of Supreme Court Justice Douglas Fasciale

Dec 20, 2022
Justice Fasciale takes the oath of office on Wilkins Theatre's stage, surrounded by his wife and sons.

Kean University welcomed a veritable who’s who in state government to its main campus last week for the swearing in of New Jersey Supreme Court Associate Justice Douglas M. Fasciale.

Top leaders from the state’s executive, legislative and judicial branches of government were on hand at Wilkins Theatre for the ceremony, including Governor Phil Murphy, former Governor Jim McGreevey, Chief Justice Stuart Rabner, state Senate President Nicholas Scutari ’89, Senator Jon Bramnick, Appellate Judge Carmen Massano and retired Appellate Judge John Keefe Sr., among others.

“It's really the capstone of my career, and I attribute it to a lot of hard work, but more importantly, to all the people in my life who have shaped me and provided opportunities to me and who have given me a start,” Fasciale said. “I owe it to them to be here.” 

Fasciale, from Westfield, said holding the ceremony at Kean was significant to him because it is close to home.

“It's a great institution. I’m very happy to be back,” he said.

Kean President Lamont O. Repollet, Ed.D., said choosing Kean as the venue for the ceremony recognizes the University’s growing influence as a New Jersey research university.

“People are starting to see Kean as the center of Union County and hosting this important ceremony is another example of the impact Kean is having locally, regionally and throughout the state,” Repollet said. “We are also encouraging students to reach for the highest heights in their careers, as Justice Fasciale has done.”

At the swearing-in ceremony, speakers from both sides of the political aisle praised Fasciale, a Republican, as a brilliant legal scholar and dedicated public servant who is measured and fair.

“It wasn't just his professional credentials, which are beyond reproach, but also his personal character,” Governor Murphy said in explaining why Fasciale was his nominee to the top court. “This is a really, really good human being, a really good son of New Jersey.”

Scutari, a Kean graduate, noted the bipartisan support that Fasciale received in the Senate and expressed his pride in bringing New Jersey’s top lawmakers to the Kean campus for the celebration.

“This is a great example of working together to get one of the finest people that I can imagine onto the bench,” Scutari said. “And, as a Kean graduate, I take great pride in having the University host this important, bipartisan ceremony.”

Bramnick, a Republican, said New Jersey’s bipartisan approach to appointing justices is a role model for the nation.

“Now in a time in history where outrageous, crazy conspiracy theories seem to dominate the news, you never have to worry about Justice Fasciale dealing with politics. He deals with facts and the law, and I can guarantee you that,” Bramnick said. 

Fasciale’s 37-year legal career includes experience as a trial attorney, and 18 years as a judge in the family, civil and criminal parts of Superior Court, the Appellate Division, and now, as associate justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court.

Rabner recalled Fasciale’s Senate confirmation hearings, noting that he talked about index cards he brought to court his first day as a judge.

“I was moved when he spoke about those index cards that he put on the bench his very first day as a judge, reminders of how one should behave as a judge and also a sign of the humility and of the respect that he has for litigants who appear in front of him,” Rabner said. 

Messano noted that Fasciale’s nickname on the appeals court was “the Monsignor,” a reflection of his “fairness and grace” and “cool, soft-spoken demeanor.”

“I know he’ll bring respect and reverence for the law to his new role as associate justice of the Supreme Court,” Messano said.

Fasciale served as a law clerk for retired Appellate Judge Keefe, who recalled the work ethic he demonstrated early in his career.

“Doug Fasciale is not only a brilliant legal scholar. He is a thoughtful and decent person who wants to do the right thing for the people in the State of New Jersey,” Keefe said. “He will be a great justice.”

Fasciale took the oath of office surrounded by his wife Teresa Moore, an attorney, and sons Michael, law clerk to Judge Messano, and Steven, a student at Seton Hall Law. Wilkins Theatre was filled with family, friends and colleagues.

For young people, like Kean’s students, who hope to follow in his footsteps, Justice Fasciale had advice – be authentic.

“The most important thing to do is to be yourself,” he said. “Be who you are in your heart and let that shine out.”

PHOTOS: Swearing-in of Supreme Court Justice Douglas Fasciale

a wide-shot of the Kean University stage, and in the center behind a brown podium is a white male wearing an all-black suit. Behind him are a diverse group of men and women sitting on bleachers in black gowns.
(L-R) President Lamont Repollet, a Black male with dark black hair and gray and black facial hair, wearing glasses, a navy suit and white button-up shirt underneath and a blue and black tie. Next to him is Governor Phil Murphy, a white male with gray hair, wearing a gray suit and light blue button-up and navy blue tie with Santa Claus on them.
President Lamont Repollet, (L-R) President Lamont Repollet, a Black male with dark black hair and gray and black facial hair, wearing glasses, a navy suit and white button-up shirt underneath and a blue and black tie, standing in the middle of (3) white males, (1) Black male, and (2) white women, some wearing business professional clothing, and others wearing long, black gowns.
A group of (3) white females, and (4) white males, all dressed in business professional clothing. They are all standing together side-by-side, smiling.
Governor Phil Murphy, a white male with gray hair, wearing a gray suit and light blue button-up and navy blue tie with Santa Claus on them, standing in the middle of (2) white females, and (3) white males, all wearing long, black gowns.
Governor Phil Murphy, a white male with gray hair, wearing a gray suit and light blue button-up and navy blue tie with Santa Claus on them, standing with (3) white males, and (1) white female, all wearing business professional clothing, standing side-by-side, smiling.

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