By Shira Kramer, Managing Editor
On September 30, Malia Reichmann became the youngest religious Jewish woman to be sworn in as a judge in the state of New Jersey. Now 32, Reichmann is assuming the role of a Municipal Court Judge in Edison, the town where she grew up.
“I always aspired to be a judge, but at 32, I never could have imagined that,” Reichmann told the YU Observer in an interview.
Before Reichmann became a prestigious lawyer, she actually attended Yeshiva University as an undergraduate student. Additionally, all three of Reichmann’s brothers also went to both YU and law school. as well. In high school, Reichmann participated in mock trials and during her time at YU, she was the president of the Jacob J. Hecht Pre-Law Society.
Reichmann graduated from the Sy Syms School of Business in 2014 with a degree in accounting. She was the valedictorian and gave the keynote address at graduation that year. Reichmann then furthered her education at Columbia Law School.
After law school, Reichmann worked at Fried Frank, a prestigious law firm that focuses on real estate practice. She then began working for her family’s firm, Weiss Properties, where she still works as general counsel today.
Reichmann’s passion for law started at an early age. She was inspired by her mother Miriam Weiss, who brought a baby Reichmann on stage to receive her diploma at her own law school graduation from NYU. Weiss was always Reichmann’s biggest role model in law and as a Jewish woman.
“I was blessed with a strong Jewish female role model growing up… not everyone is as fortunate as I was to have that,” Reichmann said. “I always had this confidence because I always saw my mom [as] very confident.”
For Reichmann, promoting Jewish women’s dreams is very important. While Jewish women often juggle motherhood and Jewish holidays in addition to their jobs, Reichmann believes in pushing through. “When something’s been your dream, you just make it happen,” she said.
When a vacancy in Edison’s court materialized, her name was mentioned. Reichman is an active member of the Edison community, volunteering in local shuls and schools. In order to receive the position, Reichmann went through a rigorous interview process and background check.
“Ultimately, I received a call from the mayor of Edison that he was going to be nominating me as municipal judge,” Reichmann said. “Then that went to the township council for approval, and in a unanimous vote, it passed through in the council.”
Over the course of her three year term, Reichmann will oversee traffic violations and minor criminal offenses. She will also be able to officiate marriage ceremonies and handle interpersonal issues. She will officially be cleared to take the bench in December.
Photo Caption: Malia Reichmann in the Municipal Courts of New Jersey
Photo Credit: Malia Reichmenn