Hungarian Heritage Review, 1987 (16. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1987-07-01 / 7. szám
'Pungartan-jAmertcan Profiles STEPHEN EDWIN MOCHARY — SUPERIOR COURT JUDGE In an impressive ceremony at the Essex County Court Building in Newark, New Jersey, before a throng that included sixteen judges and some three hundred friends and distinguished guests, Stephen Edwin Mochary of Montclair, New Jersey, was recently sworn in as Essex County’s fiftieth Superior Court Judge. This milestone in Mochary’s career represents more than professional achievement, for, as the new Judge himself puts it, “Most of me is 46, but my heart is 28.” Back in 1984, just after working with his wife Mary in her hectic but unsuccessful race for the United States Senate, Mochary received a heart transplant. The donor of the heart was the victim of an automobile accident in Los Angeles, California. Now Mochary is in the position to say, “I think I’m the first full time judge who had a transplant.” Education and Experience Before being nominated to the Bench, Mochary was a partner in the law firm of Lane and Mittendorf in Woodbridge, New Jersey. He did his undergraduate study at Yale University and received his law degree from the University of Chicago. After his graduation from law school, Mochary was an Assistant Professor at the Loyola University Law School and at the Law School of the University of Arkansas. An Overwhelming Choice Stephen Mochary indicated that he first thought about becoming a judge two years ago when he returned from California after his heart transplant. Nominated in 1986 by Governor Kean, Mochary had his position confirmed by a vote of 35-1 in the New Jersey State Senate. In his position on the Superior Court, Mochary will be involved in that special part presiding over landlord-tenant disputes and civil claims of under $5,000. While most of his court work has been carried out outside of the courtroom itself, Mochary feels that this may represent an actual advantage: ‘ ‘The fact that I have not had a substantial trial practice is to me something of an advantage, because I don't have any particular bias about the way things should be done in court. ” Background Mochary traces his heritage back to Hungary even though he himself was born in New York City. His parents, Denis and Roslyn come from Debreczen, where his father was a stock-broker. One of Mochary’s great-great uncles served as a distinguished member of the Hungarian Parliament. With his wife, Stephen shows great interest in and concern for things Hungarian in this country. A Distinguished Team — and Family Stephen Mochary and Mary, his wife, form a most distinguished and really unique team in politics. Mary is the former Mayor of Montclair, New Jersey, now serving as a deputy legal advisor to the United States Department of State. This is a position to which she was appointed by President Reagan after her race against Bill Bradley for the Senate. At this moment, Mary is “thrilled” because she is being considered seriously for the appointment to Nicaragua as Ambassador of the United States. The Mocharys, in addition to their own careers, take pride in the achievements of their two children, Alexandra, 20 who is a Senior at Wesleyan University, and Matthew, 18, who will be a Junior at Yale. The Reception Stephen Mochary’s celebratory day, peaked, of course, by the actual ceremony of being inducted — the oath was administered by Assignment Judge John Maszulli, a Montclair neighbor — was concluded by a happy gathering at the Mochary home in Montclair, New Jersey, where the three hundred friends and guests were greeted and made to feel welcome by the gracious and happy couple. JULY 1987 HUNGARIAN HERITAGE REVIEW 11
