Paula Dow facts for kids

Paula T. Dow was born in 1955. She is an American lawyer and judge. She held an important job as the 58th Attorney General of New Jersey. This means she was the state's top lawyer.

Governor Chris Christie chose her for this role. The New Jersey Senate later agreed to her full appointment in February 2010. She made history as the first African-American woman to be the Attorney General in New Jersey.

In December 2011, Governor Christie announced a change. Ms. Dow would take a new temporary job. She would become the First Deputy General Counsel for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. This agency manages transportation hubs like airports and ports.

At the same time, Governor Christie nominated Jeffrey S. Chiesa to be the new Attorney General. Mr. Chiesa took over the role on January 10, 2012. Governor Christie also planned to nominate Ms. Dow to become a Superior Court judge in Essex County.

Early Life and School

Paula T. Dow was born in 1955. She grew up in Yeadon, Pennsylvania. This town is located near Philadelphia.

She went to Franklin & Marshall College. She earned a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree in 1977. Later, she studied law at the University of Pennsylvania Law School. She received her law degree (Juris Doctor or J.D.) in 1980.

Her Career Journey

In 1978, while still in law school, she worked as a summer associate. This means she got experience at a law firm in Camden. After finishing law school, she worked as a lawyer for Exxon.

From 1980 to 1987, she worked for Exxon in different states. She gave legal advice on topics like environmental rules and worker issues.

Working for the Government

In 1987, Ms. Dow joined the office of the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York. She worked in the Civil Division until 1994. This part of the court handles disagreements between people or groups.

Then, she moved to the office of the United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey. She worked there from 1994 to 2003. From 2002 to 2003, she was a legal advisor to U.S. Attorney Chris Christie.

Essex County Prosecutor

In 2003, Governor Jim McGreevey chose Ms. Dow to be the Essex County Prosecutor. A prosecutor is a lawyer who works for the government. Their job is to bring legal cases against people accused of breaking laws.

Some local leaders did not agree with her appointment at first. They felt they had not been asked for their opinion. After working as the Acting Prosecutor for two years, she officially became the Prosecutor in June 2005. Governor Richard Codey swore her into the role.

New Jersey Attorney General

On December 15, 2009, Chris Christie, who was about to become governor, announced his first cabinet choice. He nominated Paula Dow to be the Attorney General of New Jersey. This made her the first African-American woman to hold this important position.

She started as the Acting Attorney General on January 19, 2010. The Senate Judiciary Committee quickly approved her nomination. The full Senate then unanimously confirmed her on February 22. She was officially sworn in the next day.

Becoming a Judge

In 2012, a New Jersey Senate Committee approved Governor Christie's choice for Ms. Dow. She was nominated to become a judge on the Superior Court.

Ms. Dow became a judge in the Family Court Division in Burlington County. She worked there until December 2015. After that, she was assigned to a different part of the court called the General Equity Part.

Personal Life

Paula Dow lives in Maplewood. She is a single mother and has two children.

See also

• List of female state attorneys general in the United States