From Josh on ###@###.###
(http://mail.openjdk.java.net/pipermail/core-libs-dev/2009-October/002891.html)

I strongly suggest that you do add these two methods:

    /**
     * Checks that the specified object reference is not {@code null}. This
     * method is designed primarily for doing parameter validation in methods
     * and constructors, as demonstrated below:
     * <pre>
     * public Foo(Bar bar) {
     *     this.bar = Objects.nonNull(bar);
     * }
     * </pre>
     *
     * @param obj the object reference to check for nullity
     * @return {@code obj} if not {@code null}
     * @throws NullPointerException if {@code obj} is {@code null}
     */
    public static <T> T nonNull(T obj) {
        if (obj == null)
            throw new NullPointerException();
        return obj;
    }

    /**
     * Checks that the specified object reference is not {@code null} and
     * throws a customized {@Link NullPointerException} if it is. This method
     * is designed primarily for doing parameter validation in methods and
     * constructors with multiple parameters, as demonstrated below:
     * <pre>
     * public Foo(Bar bar, Baz baz) {
     *     this.bar = Objects.nonNull(bar, "bar must not be null");
     *     this.baz = Objects.nonNull(baz, "baz must not be null");
     * }
     * </pre>
     *
     * @param obj     the object reference to check for nullity
     * @param message detail message to be used in the event that a {@code
     *                NullPointerException} is thrown
     * @return {@code obj} if not {@code null}
     * @throws NullPointerException if {@code obj} is {@code null}
     */
    public static <T> T nonNull(T obj, String message) {
        if (obj == null)
            throw new NullPointerException(message);
        return obj;
    }

They do a great job reducing the verbiage in validity-checking of arguments that must not be null.