N.J. Gov.-Elect Corzine Nominates Chen to be State’s Public Advocate

New Jersey Governor-elect Jon Corzine has nominated Rutgers Law School Associate Dean Ronald K. Chen to be public advocate to represent consumers on insurance rates and other issues before state government.

Chen’s nomination will need to be approved by the state Senate.

Chen, the law school’s associate dean for academic affairs, has argued numerous cases for the American Civil Liberties Union.

The position of public advocate was revived last year, having been eliminated in 1994. The public advocate is charged with representing the elderly, the mentally ill and disabled, utility and insurance ratepayers, and those with grievances against state agencies.