June 8, 2011 THE VILLADOM TIMES IV • Page 5 Mahwah Township attorney heading to Superior Court by Frank J. McMahon Mahwah Township Attorney Terry Paul Bottinelli has been nominated as a Bergen County Superior Court judge. The New Jersey Senate Judiciary Committee unanimously approved Bottinelli’s nomination, which is expected to be confirmed by a vote of the full New Jersey Senate this week. Bottinelli is an equity partner of the law firm of Herten, Burstein, Sheridan, Cevasco, Bottinelli, Litt & Harz, LLC. He was appointed as the township attorney by former Mayor Richard Martel at the end of 2005 to replace Manelaos Toskos, the former township attorney who had been sworn in as a Bergen County Superior Court judge. Senator Robert M Gordon (D-38 Fair Lawn) introduced Bottinelli to the Senate Judiciary Committee, saying, “I’ve known Terry for many years. He grew up in my hometown. He is an experienced litigator on both the federal and state levels, he has served as a municipal court judge for nearly two decades, he is a partner in a major law firm in New Jersey, and I believe he would make an excellent addition to the bench.” Gordon acknowledged that the nominating process has taken a long time to proceed, but that it had been a reaffirming experience for him in terms of Bottinelli’s credentials. “Over these many months, I have been approached repeatedly by Mr. Bottinelli’s peers who have told me that because of his temperament, fairness, great knowledge of the law, and his wisdom that he will make a great addition to the Superior Court in Bergen County,” Gordon said. Bottinelli thanked Governor Chris Christie for placing his name in nomination and Senator Gordon “for his kind words, encouragement, and unwavering support.” He also thanked senators Loretta Weinberg, (D-37), Paul Sarlo (D36), Gerald Cardinale (R-39), and Kevin O’Toole (R-40) for their support. “I assure this committee,” Bottinelli said in his remarks to the group, “that should you see fit to confirm my nomi- ��� nation as a judge to the Superior Court I will demonstrate the same commitment, enthusiasm, interest, intensity, and preparation that have been the hallmarks of my 30-year career as a practicing attorney and 19 years as a municipal court judge.” Mahwah Mayor John DaPuzzo also praised Bottinelli after the nomination was approved, saying, “I’ve been very happy with Terry Bottinelli and I consider him a friend. He served the Township of Mahwah fantastically as our attorney and I wish him all the best of luck in his future endeavors. I know that he will make a great judge.” Bottinelli has served several towns in Bergen County as municipal attorney and as planning or zoning board attorney. He is a certified civil trial attorney who has experience in the litigation of complex governmental, corporate, and individual matters on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants at all levels. As noted at the judiciary committee meeting, he is also skilled at dealing with the public as a municipal court judge. He heads the municipal law department at his law firm, which is credited with over 100 years of governmental experience at the state, county, and local levels in litigation, tax appeals, and in representing land use boards throughout Bergen County. ��������������� ��������������������������������������������� Bottinelli had previously been the attorney for the Bor��������������������������������������������������������� ough of Alpine, where he was the municipal court judge �������������������������� from 2000 to 2001. He was also the municipal court judge (continued on page 12) For That Special Event ������ ���� �������������������������������� ��������������� ������������ See our website for coupons-������������������������ �������������������������������������������������������������������� ����������������������������� ���������������������