The Union County Prosecutor’s Office
32 Rahway Avenue   Elizabeth, NJ 07202
Theodore J. Romankow
Prosecutor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
November 24, 2009

Contact: John Holl
(908) 527-4621 jholl@ucnj.org

UCPO ASSISTANT PROSECUTORS SWORN IN BEFORE COURT

From Left to Right: Bart East, James Donnelly, Caroline Lawlor,
David Hancock (seated), Karyn Weingarten, Melissa Spagnoli,
David Hummel, Julie Peterman.

Last month, eight assistant prosecutors from the Union County Prosecutor’s Office traveled to Washington D.C. where they were sworn as members of the Bar of the United States Supreme Court.

Since taking office in 2002, Union County Prosecutor Theodore J. Romankow has required any qualified members of his staff to take the criminal trial certification test and become criminally certified criminal trial attorneys. After they pass the examination the assistant prosecutors travel to Washington to be sworn in as members of the court and to watch arguments before the high court.

"It is not only a training tool but also a reward for their hard work and accomplishments," said Romankow. “This is great professional achievement, which benefits the office, the public we serve and the bar.”

In all 25 Assistant Prosecutors and Senior Staff members with the Union County Prosecutor’s Office have been certified since Romankow took office.

Those sworn in last month are: Julie A. Peterman, James Donnelly, Bart T. East, David Hummel, Scott M. Peterson, Melissa A. Spagnoli, Karyn R. Weingarten, and Caroline R. Lawlor. Investigations Supervisor David J. Hancock – who is also certified – presented the Assistant Prosecutors to Chief Justice John Roberts, who administered the oath.

All sworn in have been a member in good standing of the New Jersey Bar for at least five years; has completed continuing legal education courses, passed a written examination, demonstrated substantial involvement in preparation of litigated matters and submitted a list of attorneys and judges who attested to the applicant's character and ability.

“I am proud that my office has more than certified criminal trial attorneys than any other in the state,” said Romankow.