Attorney general nominated for judgeship

Associated Press TRENTON — Gov. Chris Christie on Monday shuffled his Cabinet, nominating New Jersey Attorney General Paula Dow to become a Superior Court judge in Essex County and his chief counsel to take her place. Chief counsel, Jeff Chiesa, must be confirmed by the state Senate, which the governor says he hopes to happen by Jan. 1. While she awaits confirmation, Dow will immediately move to the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as the first deputy general counsel. Chiesa served as executive director of Christie's transition team. He previously was a partner at the law firm of Wolff & Samson in their litigation group and before that worked in the U.S. Attorney's Office. He has known the governor for more than 20 years.