Warren W. Wilentz

{{short description|American lawyer}}

{{Use American English|date=March 2025}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}} (1924-2010)

Warren W. Wilentz (March 29, 1924 – March 18, 2010)[https://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary.aspx?pid=140863601 Warren Wilentz Obituary (2010) - Newark, NJ - The Star-Ledger] was an American lawyer and Democratic politician from New Jersey. He was the son of New Jersey Attorney General David T. Wilentz, who prosecuted Bruno Hauptmann in the Lindbergh kidnapping trial, and the brother of New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice Robert Wilentz.

Wilentz was born in 1924 in Perth Amboy, New Jersey, to David and Lena (Goldman) Wilentz and graduated from Perth Amboy High School.[https://obits.nj.com/obituaries/starledger/obituary.aspx?n=warren-w-wilentz&pid=140863601 "Obituary: Warren W. Wilentz"], The Star-Ledger, March 19, 2010. Accessed September 3, 2019. "Mr. Wilentz was born on March 29, 1924, in Perth Amboy, N.J., the first son of David and Lena Wilentz. After graduating from Perth Amboy High School, he attended the University of Virginia, but left after his second year to serve his country in World War II." He attended University of Virginia and New York University, and he received an LL.B from Rutgers University in 1949. He served as Prosecuting Attorney for Middlesex County from 1956 to 1960 and County Attorney from 1960 to 1967. He also became a partner of the Woodbridge firm founded by his father, Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer.[http://www.martindale.com/Warren-W-Wilentz/1131682-lawyer.htm Lawyer Profile: Warren W. Wilentz], LexisNexis Martindale-Hubbell. Accessed on June 8, 2008.

In 1966, Wilentz was the Democratic nominee for the United States Senate to oppose Republican incumbent Clifford P. Case. He was recruited after several other potential candidates, including former New Jersey Governor Robert Meyner, declined to run. Wilentz was soundly defeated by a margin of 60%-37%.[http://politickernj.com/nomination-no-one-wanted-9345 "The nomination no one wanted"], PolitickerNJ.com, June 12, 2007. Accessed June 8, 2008.

Wilentz was paralyzed in an automobile collision in December 2002. He received treatment at the Kessler Institute for Rehabilitation in West Orange, New Jersey.[https://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9807E6DD1038F931A35751C0A9659C8B63 " A Glimpse At the Bench From the Inside"]. The New York Times, February 2, 2003. Accessed June 8, 2008.

He died on March 18, 2010, at the age of 85.