Edison appoints the first South Asian woman as a municipal court judge in NJ
EDISON – The township has a new municipal court judge, and she's the first South Asian woman to hold the position in New Jersey.
Attorney Dipti Vaid Dedhia was confirmed to the post Wednesday night by the Township Council.
“She is the most qualified and ready for the job,” said Sam Joshi, the township’s first South Asian mayor, who nominated Dedhia.
Formerly the deputy attorney general in Employment Counsel and Labor for the state, Dedhia graduated from George Washington University before receiving her juris doctorate from Seton Hall Law School.
She has spent years investigating complaints involving violations of law or policy and representing the Governor’s Office of Employee Relations in arbitrating grievances between the administration and labor unions, according to the township.
“When I was young I didn’t know what I wanted to do for my career, but I had two amazing parents who motivated me to strive for a life of significance and conscience," Dedhia said in a statement. "In recognition of their immense impact on my life, one of my main goals in my new role is to be an example to the youth of today. My message to them is simple: though the path may not be clear as you stand here today, your goals are attainable. Achieving your dreams through courage, kindness, and perseverance is not a cliché – I am living proof!”
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Dedhia was a recipient of the Most Successful Mediator Award in the Passaic County Superior Court Clerk’s Program. She has participated in national civil rights competition, is certified in deposition skills by the National Institute of Trial Advocacy, and is a frequent contributor to Huffington Post, Brown Girl Magazine and the Aerogram, according to the township.
Born in London, Dedhia, a wife and mother of three, moved to New Jersey with her parents at the age of 2 and has lived in the state for the past 36 years, including 20 in Edison.
Email: srussell@gannettnj.com
Suzanne Russell is a breaking news reporter for MyCentralJersey.com covering crime, courts and other mayhem. To get unlimited access, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Edison NJ: Dipti Vaid Dedhia named municipal court judge
