John E. Wallace Jr. facts for kids
John E. Wallace Jr. (born in 1942) is a former Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court. He served on the highest court in New Jersey, helping to make important legal decisions for the state.
Early Life and Education
John E. Wallace Jr. was born on March 13, 1942, in Pitman, New Jersey. He was a very active student at Pitman High School, where he played baseball, basketball, and football for three years. He graduated in 1960.
After high school, he went to the University of Delaware, earning his bachelor's degree in 1964. He then studied law at Harvard Law School, one of the most famous law schools in the United States, and received his law degree in 1967.
From 1968 to 1970, Wallace served in the United States Army. He reached the rank of Captain before he left the army.
A Career in Law and Justice
John E. Wallace Jr. had a long and important career in law. He was a member of several legal groups, including the New Jersey State Bar Association. These groups help lawyers and judges work together and improve the legal system. He also served on many important committees, like the New Jersey Ethics Commission, which helps make sure judges and lawyers act fairly.
Before becoming a Supreme Court Justice, Wallace was a partner in a law firm called Atkinson, Myers, Archie & Wallace. He also served as a Municipal Judge for Washington Township. Later, he became a New Jersey Superior Court Judge in the Appellate Division, a position he held starting in 1984.
On April 12, 2003, Governor of New Jersey James E. McGreevey chose John E. Wallace Jr. to be a justice on the New Jersey Supreme Court. The New Jersey Senate approved his nomination on May 19, 2003. He was officially sworn in by the Chief Justice, Deborah T. Poritz, on May 20, 2003. Many people saw him as a fair and balanced judge. He was also the only African-American justice on the court at that time.
Justice Wallace's term on the Supreme Court ended on May 20, 2010. Governor Chris Christie decided not to re-nominate him for another term. This was a rare event, as he was the first Justice of the Supreme Court in over 50 years to not be re-nominated after the state's 1947 Constitution was adopted.
Throughout his career, Judge Wallace received several awards for his dedicated service. These include the Orient of New Jersey Dedicated Service Award in 2000 and the Van J. Clinton award from the Garden State Bar Association in 2002.
Personal Life
Justice Wallace lives in Sewell, which is in Washington Township, Gloucester County, New Jersey. He is married to Barbara, who has served multiple terms as the mayor of Washington Township, New Jersey. They have five children.
