Born in Red Bank, New Jersey, Hillman received a Bachelor of Arts degree from Monmouth University in 1981 and a Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University School of Law in 1985.
He entered private practice in New Jersey in 1986, and was a law clerk for Judge Maryanne Trump Barry of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey from 1986 to 1988, thereafter returning to private practice until 1992.
He was an Assistant United States Attorney of the U.S. Attorney's Office, District of New Jersey from 1992 to 2001, and during this time he received a Master of Laws from the New York University School of Law in 1998.
[1] On January 25, 2006, Hillman was nominated by President George W. Bush to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey vacated by William G. Bassler.
[2] Since his retirement, he joined a law firm, Gibbons P.C.