Gwendolyn Blue to Lead Camden Vicinage Starting November
The New Jersey Supreme Court has appointed Judge Gwendolyn Blue as the new assignment judge for the Camden Vicinage.
Updated on Oct. 20, 2026 in People
Starting November 21, 2026, Gwendolyn Blue will step into the role of assignment judge for the Camden Vicinage. She succeeds Steven Polansky, who is retiring after a 14-year career on the bench.
Why it matters
The change in leadership follows Polansky's one-year tenure as assignment judge and marks a shift for the regional judiciary. Blue brings extensive experience to the position, having served in various judicial and legal roles since her initial appointment in 2008.
Judge Blue brings a diverse legal background to the assignment, including six years as an assistant public defender and two years as Newark assistant corporation counsel. These roles complement her three years in the family division and nine months in the civil division.
The players
Gwendolyn Blue
She is the incoming assignment judge for the Camden Vicinage who was previously the presiding judge of the criminal division.
Stuart Rabner
He is the Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court who oversees judicial appointments across the state.
Steven Polansky
He is the retiring judge who served 14 years on the bench and held the position of assignment judge for one year.
Kurt Kramer
He is the new presiding judge of the criminal division who has served in that division since 2021.
The details
Chief Justice Stuart Rabner of the New Jersey Supreme Court finalized the appointments of Blue and Kurt Kramer. Kramer will transition into his new role as presiding judge of the criminal division after serving in the division since 2021.
Timeline
Blue was appointed to the bench in 2008.
Blue was reappointed to the bench in 2014.
Kramer first took the bench in 2018.
Kramer began serving in the criminal division in 2021.
Blue begins her new role as assignment judge on Nov. 21, 2026.
Market Landscape
This judicial transition follows the retirement of Steven Polansky and establishes a new leadership structure for the Camden Vicinage. Such rotations are standard procedure for maintaining administrative continuity across the state's legal hierarchy.
The transition in court leadership is an administrative change that ensures the ongoing management of the Camden Vicinage. Residents and legal professionals interacting with the court system should expect continuity in judicial operations throughout the leadership handover.
The takeaway
The appointment of Gwendolyn Blue highlights the internal promotion of long-standing judicial staff within New Jersey courts. Stakeholders should note that administrative leadership changes typically prioritize institutional experience during turnover transitions.
Further reading
For more information on legal leadership shifts, visit the New Jersey People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by NJBIZ.
