Robert Wilentz

Robert Nathan Wilentz (February 17, 1927 – July 23, 1996) was Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court from 1979 to 1996, making him the longest-serving Chief Justice since the Supreme Court became New Jersey's highest court in 1948.

Wilentz's father, David T. Wilentz, was Attorney General of New Jersey in 1935, when he prosecuted Bruno Hauptmann for the kidnap and murder of the son of Charles Lindbergh, the aviator. The elder Wilentz also founded the New Jersey law firm of Wilentz, Goldman and Spitzer.

Robert Wilentz was raised in Perth Amboy, New Jersey. He graduated from Harvard University and received his law degree from Columbia Law School. He married Jacqueline Malino (1928 – March 29, 1989) in 1949 and they had three children, James Robert, Amy and Thomas. He was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly in 1965 and 1967, but chose not to seek a third term. He also practiced law with the firm founded by his father.

Wilentz was appointed Chief Justice by Democratic Governor Brendan Byrne in 1979. He was reappointed in 1986 by Republican Governor Thomas Kean, but there was a confirmation battle in the New Jersey Senate. After a contentious debate that involved charges of judicial activism on the part of Wilentz and his court, the chief justice was confirmed by a vote of 21 to 19.

Wilentz retired July 1, 1996, stating that he could no longer carry out his duties due to advanced cancer. He died several weeks later, on July 23, 1996. He would have reached the mandatory retirement age in February 1997.

One of Robert Wilentz's most famous opinions was in the matter of Baby M, which invalidated a surrogate motherhood contract.

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