FREEHOLD – The Monmouth County Board of Commissioners announced that the west entrance of the Monmouth County Courthouse will be dedicated and named the “Honorable Lisa P. Thornton Memorial Hall,” to honor the late judge.
“Judge Thornton was a remarkable public servant,” Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone said. “Not only did she reshape the Monmouth Vicinage but her willingness to partner with the county to create programs to assist those in need showed her incredible level of compassion.”
After 15 years on the bench, Thornton unexpectedly passed away on May 26, 2023, at age 59. She spent the last nine of those years as assignment judge for Monmouth County. She was the first Black woman in New Jersey named to that role, Governor Phil Murphy said in a statement.
Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Marc C. Lemieux shared his remarks about his friend and colleague.
“We are grateful to the Monmouth County Board of Commissioners and all of our county partners for honoring our beloved Assignment Judge Lisa Thornton by dedicating the entrance of our Monmouth County Courthouse to her memory and her remarkable heart and soul,” Lemieux said. “Every day I am reminded of my friend Judge Thornton and how she greeted her colleagues, attorneys and members of the community with her signature joy and warmth and made all feel welcome. Now and forevermore, as court users enter our courthouse seeking justice, they too will be reminded of how much she cared about them and the community that we serve.”
New Jersey Judiciary Acting Administrative Director of the Courts, Glenn A. Grant, J.A.D. spoke about the life and legacy of the Honorable Lisa P. Thornton.
“The Judiciary would like to acknowledge the outstanding support and cooperation of the Monmouth County Board of Commissioners for their decision to bestow this honor on Assignment Judge Lisa Thornton,” Grant said. “The Judge was an extraordinary jurist and more importantly a wonderful person. The county government must be commended for recognizing this native daughter of Monmouth County in this special way.”
In partnership with the Monmouth Vicinage and the Monmouth Bar Association, the entrance hall dedication is scheduled for early spring.
