Short Hills Resident Approved to be Federal Judge

The Senate confirmed a nomination of a Short Hills resident for the U.S. District Court in the District of New Jersey in a 91-3 vote this week, according to the U.S. Senate's website. 

After the overwhelming vote on July 16, Kevin McNulty, 57, could take the bench by the end of the summer, if he is sworn in soon, reported northjersey.com.

President Obama nominated McNulty in December of 2011 and then went to the Senate Judiciary Committee for a hearing in March. The committee approved the nomination April 19. 

Both Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa, made speeches during the floor debate this past Monday in support of McNulty reported law.com.

McNulty is a director of business and commercial litigation with Gibbons Law Firm in Newark, according to the firm's website. He previously served as Chief of the Appeals Division of the United States Attorney's Office from 1995 through 1998. From 1987 through 1998 he prosecuted criminal cases as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Frauds and Criminal Divisions and served as Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division from 1991 through 1995, his biography says.

McNulty earned a B.A. from Yale University in 1976 and graduated from New York University School of Law, (J.D., cum laude), in 1983.