May 2004
Noted Union County Superior Court Judge, Hon. Melvin S. Whitken, (Ret’d) Joins Weinstein Family Law, P.C. as Of Counsel*
Roseland, NJ — Weinstein Family Law, P.C., is pleased to announce that the Honorable Melvin S. Whitken, who recently retired from the Family Court bench in Union County after 15 years of service, has joined the firm. Judge Whitken will be Of Counsel to the firm, and will be available to serve as an arbitrator, mediator, and consultant in complex matrimonial matters.
“We are extraordinarily excited about having Judge Whitken join our firm,” said Jeffrey P. Weinstein, Esq. “He presents both our attorneys and our clients with an added dimension. He will be able to offer judicious advice to our clients and give insight to our attorneys.”
“I look forward to the opportunity of starting a new phase of my career while continuing in the family law area with the fine attorneys in the Weinstein Family Law firm,” said Judge Whitken.
An Elizabeth native, Judge Whitken graduated from Thomas Jefferson High School in 1955, received his B.A. in Political Science from Rutgers University in 1959 and his law degree from Seton Hall University Law School in 1962. He is an advocate of alternative dispute resolution, and has played a significant role in promoting the availability and profile of arbitration and mediation to litigants in the New Jersey court system.
Judge Whitken was admitted to the New Jersey Bar in 1962 and was admitted to practice before the Supreme Court of the United States in 1969. From 1963 to 1972 Judge Whitken practiced in Elizabeth and became a partner in the firm of Asch, Asch & Whitken, Esqs. During this period he also served as the first attorney for the Elizabeth Board of Adjustment from 1965 to 1966 and then became an Assistant City Attorney for the City of Elizabeth from 1966 to 1967. In 1967 Judge Whitken became one of the first Assistant Deputy Public Defenders in New Jersey serving in Union County. From 1973 to 1989, Judge Whitken practiced law with Gorrin, Ironson & Whitken, Esqs., specializing in civil litigation. During this time he was an arbitrator with the American Arbitration Association, a member of the Trial Attorneys of New Jersey and the New Jersey Defense Association.
In 1972, Judge Whitken was appointed the Municipal Court Judge in Fanwood, and he held that position until his appointment by Governor Thomas Kean to the Superior Court in 1989. During this time, he also served as the president of the Union County Municipal Judges Association. After serving in the Law Division of the Superior Court for two and one half years, Judge Whitken moved to the Family Division until his retirement from the bench on February 6 of this year. He was the Presiding Judge of the Family Division for a three-year period.
While serving as a Superior Court Judge, Judge Whitken was a master of the Richard J. Hughes American Inn of Court, served on a number of Supreme Court committees, lectured frequently for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education and various bar groups, and was actively involved in the New Jersey and Union County Bar Associations. He continues to participate in many legal associations.
In 1996 Judge Whitken received the William J. McCloud award by the Union County Bar Association, in recognition of his substantial contributions to the family law community.
*No aspect of this advertisement has been approved by the Supreme Court of New Jersey. For the comparison standards employed by Best Lawyers, please visit bestlawyers.com
