Honorable Lisa P. Thornton Memorial Hall unveiled at Monmouth County Courthouse

The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, in partnership with the Monmouth Vicinage and the Monmouth County Bar Association, unveiled the Honorable Lisa P Thornton Memorial Hall at the Monmouth County Courthouse during a ceremony on March 13.

Judge Lisa P Thornton Memorial Hall

The hall is located on the west entrance, the most visible vestibule in the courthouse. It is an indeed an honor, given the special person Judge Thornton was.

“With today’s honor and others, Judge Lisa Thornton will continue to inspire generations of students, lawyers and judges,” said Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court Stuart Rabner.

Respected jurist

Judge Thornton died unexpectedly on May 26 after returning from a trip in Florida. She was 59.

The Long Branch native was a respected jurist who rose through the legal ranks through hard work and preserverance.

Before her untimely death, Thornton spent 15 years on the bench, as a municipal court judge and the last nine as an assignment judge. She was the first Black woman in New Jersey named to that role.

“Thank you to all who came here today. I am so grateful she was in my life,” said Kent Thornton, nephew of Judge Thornton. “This is the house she built. I am glad the County sees that and thank you for honoring her today.”

The Honorable Lisa P. Thornton Memorial Hall dedication ceremony was live-streamed on the Monmouth County Government’s Facebook and YouTube Channel.