Longtime Island Municipal Judge Retires

The Honorable James M. Blaney J.S.C., Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer, and the Honorable Frank S. Salzer, J.M.C. (Photo: OCPO)

A pair of Ocean County’s most respected jurists have hung up their robes. Superior Court Judge James M. Blaney and Municipal Court Judge Frank S. Salzer – well known for his work in almost every barrier island community – have both retired from the bench and were honored at a celebration last week.

“They were always poised, attentive, professional and fair,” said Prosecutor Bradley Billhimer. “Judge Blaney presided in the Family part and many years in the Criminal Part, he was always well respected by Prosecutors, defense attorneys and even defendants. Judge Salzer presided in many municipalities, but my fondest memories of him will always be during his tenures in Seaside Park and Lavallette.”

“Judge Salzer had a dignified tone, with wry sense of humor that put everyone in the courtroom at ease,” he continued. “I learned a great deal from both gentlemen.”

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Blaney graduated from Catholic University Law School in 1973 and began in Ocean County as an Assistant Deputy Public Defender from 1974 to 1976. He then entered into private practice where he would spend the next three decades representing clients in the areas of workers compensation, personal injury, and criminal defense litigation. Blaney also served as a municipal prosecutor in Ocean Gate, Lakehurst, Lakewood and South Toms River. In Sept. 2004, Blaney was nominated to be a judge in Ocean County Superior Court. Over the years, he presided over some of Ocean county’s highest-profile criminal cases.

Salzer graduated from Seton Hall University Law School in 1968. During his years in private practice, Salzer focused on workers’ compensation, personal injury, and estate planning and administration Cases. Since 1978, Salzer has served as a municipal court judge for various municipalities in Ocean County, including Seaside Heights, Lavallette, Seaside Park, Bay Head, Beachwood, Harvey Cedars, Barnegat Light and Point Pleasant Beach. Salzer served as the president of the Ocean County Bar Association in 1996 and was the recipient of the Professional Lawyer of the Year Award for Ocean County in 1998.