Robert Nathan Wilentz

Robert Nathan Wilentz (February 17, 1927 – July 23, 1996) was Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court from 1979 to 1996, making him the longest-serving Chief Justice since the Supreme Court became New Jersey's highest court in 1948.

Early life Robert Wilentz was born on February 17, 1927, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, to David and Lena Wilentz. During Robert's childhood, his father was Attorney General of New Jersey, in which role he prosecuted Bruno Hauptmann for the kidnapping and murder of Charles Lindbergh Jr., one of the highest profile criminal cases in American history. David Wilentz was also a powerful political boss in Middlesex County. He first enrolled at Princeton University, but left school to serve in the United States Navy. After completing two years of service, he graduated from Harvard University.

The Mount Laurel II holding was eventually enforced by a legislative compromise, though supporters of the Court's decision thought the compromise was weak.

Other notable opinions In re Baby M (1988), was the first court ruling on the validity of surrogacy. The biological mother in this case sought to retain custody of her biological child, in violation of a surrogacy contract. Writing for a unanimous Court, Wilentz invalidated the surrogacy contract as void for reasons public policy. In a dictum, the Court held that a common "best interests" analysis should apply to determine the child's eventual home.

Personal life Wilentz married Jacqueline Malino (1928 – March 29, 1989) in 1949 and they had three children, James Robert, Amy and Thomas.

Retirement and death A resident of Manhattan and Deal, New Jersey, Wilentz retired from the bench on July 1, 1996, due to advanced cancer. He died three weeks later on July 23, 1996. He would have reached the mandatory retirement age of 70 in February 1997.