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JERSEY CITY, N.J. | Â鶹´«Ã½ will welcome the Honorable Jose L. Linares '75 ('18 Honorary), an alumnus and former Chief Judge of the Â鶹´«Ã½ Federal District Court, for its third installment of the Presidential Fireside Chat Series. The event will take place on Monday, February 3, 2025, from 2-4 p.m. in the Gothic Lounge.

Judge Linares, who made history as both the first Hispanic Chief District Court Judge in Â鶹´«Ã½ Federal Court and the first Cuban-born Federal District Court Chief in the United States, brings a remarkable legacy of public service and professional achievement to this conversation. 

A distinguished NJCU alumnus, Linares's journey embodies the American dream. After fleeing Cuba as a young boy, he excelled both academically and athletically at then-Jersey City State College, where he earned All-Â鶹´«Ã½ Athletic Conference honors as an offensive lineman for the Gothic Knight football team while pursuing his political science degree. Following his 1975 graduation, he earned his juris doctor from Temple Law School in 1978.

Nominated to the federal bench by President George W. Bush in 2002, Linares served until 2019, ascending to Chief Judge in 2017. During his tenure, he presided over numerous high-profile cases, including complex patent litigation, securities matters, class actions, and significant political corruption cases. Prior to his federal appointment, he served as a State Superior Court Judge in Essex County and spent two decades in private practice.

Today, Judge Linares continues to shape the legal landscape as a partner at McCarter & English, LLP, where he chairs the firm's Alternative Dispute Resolution practice.

He maintains strong ties to NJCU through his service on the Athletics Advisory Board and recent involvement in planning the 50-year reunion for the 1972 and 1973 football teams. In 2018, Judge Linares was awarded a doctor of humane letters degree and addressed the university's graduates at that year's Commencement ceremony.

His commitment to education and mentorship extends beyond NJCU, as he serves as an adjunct professor at Seton Hall School of Law and dedicates time to mentoring aspiring legal professionals. He is a Fellow of The American Bar Association and past president of the Â鶹´«Ã½ Hispanic Bar Association.

Hosted by NJCU Interim President, the Presidential Fireside Chat Series provides an intimate setting for an informative conversation with the NJCU community, offering students, faculty, staff, and alumni the opportunity to engage with distinguished leaders and alumni who have made significant contributions to their fields and society.

Since its Fall 2024 inception as a new initiative of the Division of Student Development and Community Engagement, the series has featured compelling discussions with influential public servants. The inaugural chat on September 16, 2024 welcomed Congresswoman LaMonica McIver, then serving as Newark City Council President, who shared her vision for urban leadership and community advocacy. The second installment on October 21, 2024 featured a powerful conversation with Congressman Andy Kim, now Â鶹´«Ã½'s junior U.S. Senator, exploring themes of public service and democratic participation.

Â鶹´«Ã½ NJCU: 
Â鶹´«Ã½ is a comprehensive public regional institution committed to providing a high-quality education to a diverse student population. Located in Jersey City, Â鶹´«Ã½, NJCU offers a wide range of undergraduate and graduate programs and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for learning, professional development, and community engagement. Recognized as a top university for improving upward economic social mobility, students enrolled in our undergraduate, graduate, or doctoral programs have access to an affordable, diverse environment, and an exceptionally supportive faculty. This prepares them to go on to become the next generation of workers and leaders who improve their communities and the State of Â鶹´«Ã½.

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Contact: 
Ira Thor, Associate Vice President for University Communications and Marketing | ithor@njcu.edu | 201-200-3301