Governor Murphy Nominates Graduate of Seton Hall Law's Pre-legal Program To Become First African American Woman on the New Jersey Supreme Court

NEWARK, N.J. - June 5, 2020 - Governor Phil Murphy nominated Fabiana Pierre-Louis, a graduate of Seton Hall Law School’s Summer Institute for Pre-Legal Studies (Pre-Legal Program), and former United States Attorney, to be the first African America woman to serve on the New Jersey Supreme Court.

“Seton Hall Law is thrilled Governor Murphy has nominated a graduate of the Institute to be a member of the New Jersey Supreme Court for this historic appointment,” said Dean Kathleen Boozang.

Pierre-Louis remarked during her press conference, “I didn’t always know I wanted to be a lawyer. At the conclusion of that program, I was sold. I loved reading the law. I loved writing about the law. I loved talking about the law. So, I will forever be grateful to the Pre-Legal Program for setting me on the path that has led me to where I am today.”

Seton Hall Law Professor Brenda Saunders, Director of the Summer Institute for Pre-Legal Studies, applauds the nomination and notes, “Ms. Pierre-Louis has remained involved with the Pre-Legal Program, returning as a judge in the Moot Court Program, as a speaker in Career Night, and even teaching a course. Ms. Pierre-Louis’ success is evidence of the role the Pre-Legal Program plays in introducing first generation college students to the possibility of a career in the law.”

Funded by the Educational Opportunity Fund, the Pre-Legal Program celebrates its 40th anniversary at Seton Hall Law this year. The Pre-Legal Program was established to address long-standing disparities in access to the legal profession for racial and ethnic minorities and educationally disadvantaged students of all races and ethnicities.

Murphy’s nomination now requires confirmation by the New Jersey State Senate.

About Seton Hall University School of Law

Founded in 1951 and located in Newark, Seton Hall University School of Law is New Jersey’s only private law school and a leading Catholic law school in the New York metropolitan area. Seton Hall Law is dedicated to preparing students for the multiplicity of pathways open to professionals with a legal education in a world transformed by technology. The Law School also offers a robust selection of online and live compliance programs in privacy, cybersecurity, financial services, and health & life sciences for law and graduate students, as well as mid-career professionals.