East Orange, NJ, March 7, 2017: The City of East Orange is proud to announce that Judge MeLinda Hawkins Taylor will be publicly sworn in as the newest member of the East Orange Municipal Court on Friday, March 10 at 5pm.

Mayor Lester E. Taylor III will administer the oath during the ceremonial event  which will be held in City Council Chambers, 44 City Hall Plaza in East Orange, NJ. 

Judge Hawkins Taylor, who holds a Bachelor of Business Administration from Howard University and a Juris Doctorate from Rutgers Law, has over 20 years of legal experience. She has had the honor of working with the Hon. Anne E. Thompson, US District Court, District of NJ and the Hon. Geoffrey Gaulkin, Superior Court, Appellate Division (Ret.). Previous positions have included Essex County Assistant Prosecutor and Deputy Attorney General for the State of New Jersey.

While practicing law in East Orange, Judge Hawkins Taylor has acted as Law Guardian for DYFS matters, Hearing Officer for Essex County, and represented numerous individuals in federal court whereby she received a Recognition of Distinguished Service.  Judge Hawkins Taylor previously served on the East Orange Board of Water Commissioners.

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