The Senate Judiciary Committee this morning unanimously moved the nomination of Marlene Caride of Ridgefield to be a Judge of the Superior Court, to succeed Bernadette N. DeCastro, following her retirement, for the term prescribed by law, ending seven years from the date of appointment.

Governor Phil Murphy named Marlene Caride to lead the New Jersey Department of Banking and Insurance and began serving on January 16, 2018. Commissioner Caride is the first Hispanic to head the Department where she oversees New Jersey’s insurance, banking and real estate industries.

Caride’s parents joined her in Trenton today.

“They instilled in me the value and importance of helping those in need,” she told the Senate Judiciary Committee. “My family has supported me throughout my career.”

Prior to joining the Department, Caride served as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly representing the 36th Legislative District. During her three terms in the Assembly, Caride served on the Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee, the Assembly Appropriations Committee and the New Jersey Legislative Select Committee on Investigation. She also chaired the Assembly Education Committee and was vice-chair of the Assembly Transportation and Independent Authorities Committee.

“Their trust and friendship have contributed to the person I am today,” Caride said of her colleagues.

She took special care in thanking state Senator Nellie Pou (D-35) for mentoring her in the Legislature. She also recognized her home district senator, Paul Sarlo of LD-36, who recalled Caride’s ascent to the Legislature in the immediate aftermath 2011 redistricting.

“She was a great running mate, great legislator, and an even better commissioner,” Sarlo offered in return.

“You were always fair,” added state Senator Jon Bramnick (R-21). “There could be nobody more fair than you.”

Bramnick took care to note that Caride distinguished herself as a public advocate, underscored by her departure to a judgeship, not a big corporate firm.

“You have certainly made us proud with the work you have done,” Pou told Caride. “You will be an amazing judge.”

Fairness.

Justice.

Open-mindedness.

Those are the qualities in Caride cited by Pou.

Caride was a partner in the Union City law firm of Gonzalez & Caride. She is a member of the Bar of the Supreme Court of the United States, the New Jersey State Bar Association, the Hudson County Bar Association and the Hispanic Bar Association of New Jersey.

Caride is a graduate of California Western School of Law and Fairleigh Dickinson University with a Bachelor of Arts in Education. She resides in Ridgefield.