In 2013, with the proverbial stroke of a pen, New Jersey trial judge Mary Jacobson extended the right to marry in New Jersey to same-sex couples. The governor dropped his appeal of that decision after the Supreme Court of New Jersey denied his request for an injunction. Marriage equality became the law of the state through the act of a single trial judge.

Judge Jacobson’s decision reflects a long history of the New Jersey judiciary advancing the law to protect families of all configurations. The state court system promotes diversity and inclusion as major goals. Judges and court personnel receive cultural competency training and ongoing legal education.