Official Site of The State of New Jersey
Jennifer Sellitti Admitted to American College of Trial Lawyers
TRENTON, N.J. — March 10, 2026 — Jennifer Sellitti has become a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, one of the premier legal associations in North America.
The induction ceremony at which Sellitti became a Fellow took place before an audience of approximately 500 during the Spring Meeting of the College in La Quinta, California.
Jennifer Sellitti has devoted her career to public defense and currently serves as the Public Defender for the State of New Jersey, leading one of the nation’s largest public defense systems. She oversees approximately 1,300 attorneys and professional staff across 66 offices serving all 21 counties. Under her leadership, the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender (NJOPD) is advancing one of the nation’s first holistic defense models, expanding interdisciplinary and youth defense practices across the state and enhancing equitable access to justice for all New Jersey residents. Through these initiatives, NJOPD is strengthening public defense as both a constitutional safeguard and a component of public safety, reducing unnecessary system involvement and mitigating the long-term fiscal and human costs of incarceration.
Founded in 1950, the American College of Trial Lawyers is widely recognized as the preeminent organization of trial lawyers in North America, composed of the best of the trial bar from the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. Fellowship is extended by invitation only, following a rigorous investigation process, to experienced trial lawyers who have demonstrated the highest standards of trial advocacy, ethical conduct, professionalism, civility, and collegiality. Candidates must have at least 15 years of trial experience before consideration for Fellowship.
The American College of Trial Lawyers strives to preserve and enhance trial practice, civility, professionalism, and the administration of justice through support of an independent judiciary, the rule of law, trial by jury, and access to justice.
A career public defender, Sellitti previously served in multiple leadership roles within NJOPD, including Director of Training and Communications and Deputy of the Middlesex Trial Region. She has trained lawyers in more than 35 states and speaks nationally on trial advocacy and public defense reform. The newly inducted Fellow is an alumna of Suffolk University Law School.
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