Fil-Am lawyer becomes first PHL-born Superior Court judge in New Jersey

An exclusive of the Filipino Reporter, a content partner of GMA News Online Another topnotch Filipino-American attorney is poised to make history as the first Philippine-born Superior Court judge in the State of New Jersey, the Filipino Reporter has learned. The confirmation of Carlia Magpantay Brady went smooth sailing on Thursday (Feb. 21) before the 13-member judiciary committee of the State Senate in Trenton’s State House. She will become the only Filipino-American judge to join the current roster of 360 New Jersey Superior Court judges once her confirmation is upheld by the full State Senate sometime this March. “I am thrilled because this is a huge honor to serve the people of the State of New Jersey,” said Brady, 41, a registered Democrat, in an exclusive interview with the Reporter. “It has always been my dream to serve my community and the State of New Jersey,” said the U.S.-educated lawyer, who was nominated by Gov. Chris Christie. “And everybody has been extremely supportive of me and has extended good wishes.” Brady, a divorcee from Woodbridge, N.J., is an accident and personal injury partner at a prestigious Lawrenceville law firm, Stark & Stark, specializing in litigation. She’ll be the second Fil-Am to serve in the state Superior Court after retired Judge Patricia Medina Talbert, originally from Hawaii, who served in Essex County Superior Court. Parents from Negros Occidental Brady was born in San Carlos City, Negros Occidental to Oscar Magpantay, an accountant in the Philippines and now a retired New Jersey factory worker; and Ophelia Salvador Magpantay, a high school educator who is now a retired teacher for the handicapped. The family settled in New Jersey in 1976 when Brady was only six. She became a naturalized citizen at the age of 14. She has a younger brother, Ian Magpantay, a scientist. “My parents were very proud and very happy when they learned about the appointment,” Brady recalled. “They prayed over me and told me, ‘may God guide you that you become a good judge,’ you know, Filipinos (laughs).” As a judge, Brady said she intends to be “very fair, professional, patient and understanding to litigants.” “You could expect that my courtroom, when you’re in it, will provide you with a fair day in court,” she said. Brady’s Fil-Am colleague, lawyer Michael Angulo, said Brady stands “a very good chance” of being confirmed given bi-partisan support for her nomination in the Senate, as well strong support from the governor. “She has passed all of her background checks with flying colors and no one has objected to her nomination,” Angulo told the Reporter. ‘An exceptional attorney’ “Carlia Brady is an exceptional attorney with a solid trial work experience,” noted Angulo. “She possesses sharp intellect, level temperament, and an objective viewpoint critical to be a successful judge. She will be a tremendous asset to the Superior Court.” Angulo himself became the toast of the Fil-Am community a few years ago when he was named assistant counsel to the New Jersey governor. He later served as executive director with the New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority and is currently practicing higher education law. Brady, according to Angulo, is passionate about community involvement having participated in numerous legal outreach panels hosted by the Fil-Am community, recently with the Philippine Community of Southern New Jersey. She was a also a board member on the Asian Pacific American Lawyers Association of New Jersey and has encouraged other Asian-American lawyers to become leaders in the profession. She’s currently a board member of the New Jersey Association for Justice, leading the women and minority concerns committees, Anguli said. “As one of the very few Filipina trial attorneys in New Jersey, Carlia is a trailblazer that young Filipina attorneys should emulate,” Angulo added. “And she has never lost sight of her Filipino roots.” Although she’s no longer articulate in Visayan and Tagalog, she still comprehends them clearly. “My parents would talk to me in Tagalog or Visayan and I would respond in English,” she revealed, chuckling. Brady last visited her parents’ hometown about three years ago and she stayed there for a whole week, meeting relatives, shopping and enjoying food — she loves lechon and pancit — and pristine beaches. “I get to visit the Philippines like once a decade because it’s so far and it takes a long time to get there,” she pointed out. “I don’t have much time to travel. When you are in private practice, it’s hard to get away from work for more than a week.” Brady earned her law degree from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1997. She has degrees in English and accounting from Rutgers College/Rutgers School of Business. Prior to joining Stark & Stark, she served as a law clerk for Judge Travis L. Francis and Judge Martin Kravarik, both of Superior Court of Middlesex County. She was listed in the New Jersey Super Lawyers Rising Stars in 2006, 2007, 2009 and 2010. She’s also a frequent contributor in the Personal Injury Law Journal. - Filipino Reporter