Kenneth Kovalcik

In the early 70’s, I took my Bachelor’s degree in Political Science and entered the workforce as an Income Maintenance Technician for the County of Passaic Welfare Board. It was a time for expanding the government workforce and asserting public sector bargaining rights. I became a member of the negotiating committee and eventually Chairman of the 500-member union. This led me to law school in Seton Hall’s night program, from which I obtained my law degree in 1986. Over the ensuing years, I held various positions, including Municipal Attorney, Municipal Prosecutor, Public Defender, and Zoning Board Attorney, while maintaining a busy general practice of law. In 2005, I was appointed to the Workers Compensation Bench, serving in Jersey City and as Supervising Judge in Mt Arlington, until mandatory retirement in 2018. I returned to the bench as a recall Judge and, when recall was no longer available, announced my availability for consultation in difficult matters. I am fortunate that my offer has been accepted, and I am continuing to obtain work.