Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamel Semper, the deputy chief of the criminal division, has been nominated for a federal judgeship by President Joe Biden (D) and has already received major political support for his appointment. 
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
“I am thrilled to see President Biden’s nomination of Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamel Semper to the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. His extensive legal experience, coupled with his commitment to public service, makes him well-qualified and ideally suited for the federal bench, and I congratulate him on his nomination,” Gov. Phil Murphy (D) said in a statement.
“I also want to commend President Biden, Senator Menendez, and Senator Booker for their outstanding selection, which reflects a continuing commitment to filling our federal judicial vacancies with individuals who represent both the breadth of the legal profession and the rich diversity of our state.”
Semper, 41, served as an assistant prosecutor at the Union County Prosecutor’s Office for four-and-a-half years between September 2008 and February 2013, a gig he left to be the director of the special prosecutions unit at the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office before joining the U.S. Attorney’s Office, according to his LinkedIn page.
If he receives approval from the U.S. Senate, he will succeed John Michael Vazquez.
“For years, Mr. Semper has served the Garden State with fairness and compassion, dedicating his career to keeping New Jerseyans safe. Thanks to his community-focused approach to law enforcement, he enjoys the strong support of major voices and organizations within New Jersey’s diverse communities of color,” Senator Menendez said.
“Jamel Semper is a highly qualified nominee with a distinguished legal career and years of service to New Jersey at the state and federal levels. I’m confident in his ability to preside over cases fairly and impartially. I thank President Biden for nominating Jamel Semper, and I look forward to his hearing before the Judiciary Committee and confirmation by the Senate,” stated U.S. Senator Cory Booker.
Prior to serving in his current role at the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Semper has worked as the head of the Newark Violent Crime Unit, chief of the Organized Crime and Gang Unit, and chief of the Violent Crime Unit.
“AUSA Jamel Semper is an accomplished, distinguished, and highly-respected attorney, and a welcome addition to the U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey. Our state will be well served with AUSA Semper on the bench, who is a resident of Jersey City, a family man, and someone who I have gotten to know in my time as a member of the New Jersey Bar,” added U.S. Rep. Rob Menendez (D-NJ).
“This nomination is a further example of the commitment of President Biden, and Senators Menendez and Booker to bolstering the ranks of our federal judiciary with diverse judges who will serve our state and country for decades to come. I look forward to seeing AUSA Semper’s confirmation to the Court.”
Semper is married to Lucinda McLaughlin, who is the director of the Jersey City Department of Recreation and Youth Development.
