Meet our Champion for Children honoree, Judge Richard M. Freid.

This year’s Champion for Children Honoree is retired Superior Court Judge Richard M. Freid who, throughout his long and outstanding career, tirelessly championed the best interests of children.

Appointed in 2004 to the bench by then-Gov. Jim McGreevey, Judge Freid was initially assigned to Essex County Superior Court’s Family Division. The following year, he transferred to Passaic County Superior Court where he remained until mandatory retirement at age 70, and then even upon being called back into service as a recall judge for an additional decade.

While on the Passaic County bench, Judge Freid spent 18 years in the Family Division, and it’s there that his commitment to the welfare of children – as well as the work and mission of the CASA program – not only crystalized, but flourished. 

While presiding over Children in Court cases – the very hearings that address children in foster care, and at which CASA volunteers and supervisors appear to present fact-based observations and make recommendations – Judge Freid navigated a myriad of challenging, complex, and emotional issues. As hearings included issues of parental rights, custody, and the best interests of children of all ages and backgrounds who have experienced trauma, loss, abuse, and neglect, the judge began to earn a reputation: he was firm but fair, and this applied to all parties, whether attorneys, Division of Child Protection and Permanency caseworkers, the biological parents from whom the children had been removed and, of course, the children themselves. His courtroom became a place where every child’s best interests was first priority; and despite the business of navigating difficult topics and complex situations, everyone that appeared before him was to be treated with respect and dignity.

For years it was Judge Freid who often performed the swearing-in ceremonies for newly trained CASA volunteers. Fresh off their 30-plus hours of intensive training, volunteers were first welcomed by the jurist, then he administered their oath, and shared about the import of the role they were stepping into.

It is nearly impossible to tally the number of swearing-in ceremonies Judge Freid conducted for classes of excited community volunteers becoming Court Appointed Special Advocates or the number of hearings he heard involving CASA children. What is not difficult to understand and celebrate is Judge Freid’s ability to show up each day with the heart to thoughtfully consider each child’s needs and the unwavering commitment to do what’s necessary to ensure those needs are met. For Judge Freid, ensuring vulnerable children had the opportunity to not only survive, but thrive, has been non-negotiable. 

After graduating law school, Judge Freid began his work with Passaic County Legal Aid Society, then practiced law 16 years alongside his uncle, Edwin J. Nyklewicz, was named to the bench. Judge Freid then continued the practice as a solo lawyer, focusing on the representation of law enforcement officers in state and federal court. He also served as prosecutor for Paterson and counsel to the Paterson Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. In addition, he was attorney for the New Jersey Italian-American Police Officers Association and Paterson Hispanic Police Association, as well as an approved attorney of the New Jersey State P.B.A. Legal Protection Plan.

Judge Freid earned his law degree from Rutgers School of Law in 1969 and his undergraduate degree from then-Montclair State College. He and his wife, State Sen. Nellie Pou, were each born and raised in Paterson, and together have four children Christopher, Jennifer, Edwin, and Taina.