Chief Justice Names Avion M. Benjamin to Lead Essex Vicinage

Chief Justice Stuart Rabner today announced that Superior Court Judge Avion M. Benjamin will lead the Essex Vicinage, effective March 1.

Judge Benjamin will succeed Judge Sheila A. Venable, who is retiring after 21 years on the bench and five years as assignment judge.

“Judge Venable’s judicial career has been marked by exceptional leadership, wise judgment, and a passion for helping others,” Chief Justice Rabner said. “In Judge Benjamin, we are fortunate to have a gifted jurist and long-time leader in the Essex County legal community serve as assignment judge in the state’s largest vicinage.” 

Judge Benjamin has served as the presiding judge of the civil division in the Essex Vicinage since 2024. She was appointed to the bench in 2020 by Gov. Phil Murphy, serving first in the family division before moving to the criminal division. 

“I would like to thank Chief Justice Rabner for placing his confidence in me,” Judge Benjamin said. “I am humbled and honored to have the opportunity to continue the great work of all the outstanding assignment judges from Essex County, including Judge Venable, who has led our vicinage with such grace and tenacity. I look forward to working with all my superiors and colleagues whose mentorship, support, and friendship have provided the foundation for me to step into this new role.”

Before joining the bench, Judge Benjamin worked for the city of Newark’s Law Department for 16 years, rising through the ranks to first assistant corporation counsel, a position she held for five years. As one of the top attorneys for the city of Newark, she supervised the civil litigation section/municipal prosecutor’s office, advised policy makers on legislative action and labor negotiations, and assisted with the creation and implementation of the first civilian complaint review board in New Jersey.

Judge Benjamin began her legal career in private practice handling personal injury cases for a Monmouth County law firm before joining Newark’s Law Department.

Judge Benjamin earned her bachelor’s degree from SUNY Binghamton in New York and received her law degree from George Washington University School of Law.

The Essex Vicinage is the largest of New Jersey’s 15 court vicinages with 808 employees.