Associate Justice Clarence Edwards Case

Early Life and Education

Clarence Edwards Case was born on September 24, 1877, in Jersey City, New Jersey. He was raised in Somerville, where he attended local schools. Case earned his undergraduate degree from Rutgers College in 1899 and went on to receive his law degree from New York Law School in 1902, beginning a long and distinguished career in law and public service.

Early Career and Political Involvement

Case began practicing law in Somerville and soon became active in Republican politics. He served as Somerset County Prosecutor and later represented the county in the New Jersey State Senate, eventually becoming Senate President. In 1920, during a brief gubernatorial transition, he served as Acting Governor of New Jersey, demonstrating early leadership on the state stage.

Judicial Career

In 1929, Case was appointed as an Associate Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court. Known for his measured reasoning and deep respect for legal precedent, he contributed significantly to the state’s jurisprudence. In 1946, he was elevated to Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, leading the judiciary during a transformative period that saw the adoption of the 1947 New Jersey State Constitution. He returned to the role of Associate Justice under the new court structure, serving until his retirement in 1952.

Legacy

Clarence E. Case’s career spanned both legislative and judicial leadership. He is remembered as a stabilizing figure who guided New Jersey’s courts through a period of modernization and reform. His combination of political skill and judicial wisdom left a lasting impact on the state’s legal system.