First Black woman elected as an Assignment Judge in NJ’s court system dies

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Lisa Thornton, the first Black woman appointed as an assignment judge in New Jersey’s court system, has died.

She was 59.

Judge Lisa Thornton died unexpectedly

Thornton died suddenly while traveling back to New Jersey from Florida.

She was highly intelligent

Thornton was a Long Branch, N.J. native, who carved her path in excellence at an early age.

After graduating from Long Branch High School in 1982, Thornton attended Douglass College at Rutgers University, where she earned a Bachelors degree in political science.

She then obtained a juris doctorate from Rutgers-Newark Law School while working for Prudential Financial. Upon graduation, she became a trial attorney for the company.

Lisa Thornton was a revered jurist

She was an astute legal professional, who rose through the legal ranks making history and building an incredible legacy.

Thornton began her career as a jurist in 1999, as a municipal court judge in Neptune Township, after being appointed by then-Mayor Michael Beson.

She made history in 2014 after being elected the first Black woman to serve as an assignment judge in Monmouth County. Former New Jersey Gov. Jon Corzine nominated her to serve on the bench in 2008.

Thornton had served as an associate counsel to Corzine and then as chief of staff to two attorneys general, Stuart Rabner, now the chief justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, and Anne Milgram, now the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration administrator.

She also served in the administration of former N.J. Gov. James E. McGreevey as the special deputy commissioner of the Department of Banking and Insurance.

Lisa Thornton was a beloved community member

Aside from being a respected judge, Thornton was a beloved community member, whose family and friends loved immensely.

Her service to the community, mentorship, and the impact she made, will never be forgotten.

She will be sorely missed.