Judge Lisa Thornton dies at 59

Superior Court Judge Lisa Thornton, the assignment judge in Monmouth County, has died suddenly.  She was 59.

Thornton, a hugely respected jurist for the last fifteen years, was traveling between New Jersey and Florida at the time of her death.

Gov. Jon Corzine nominated her to serve on the bench in 2008.  She became the assignment judge in 2014 following the retirement of Lawrence Lawson.

She 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.

“Lisa Thornton was more than a gifted judge, inspiring trailblazer, and natural leader.  She was brilliant and plain spoken, insightful and honest, direct and witty, and a selfless friend,” Rabner said.   “Judge Thornton also cared deeply about making this a better world through her words and deeds.  Her sudden passing is a loss to the Judiciary and to humanity.”

Thornton had begun her career as a trial attorney at Prudential Financial and served as the Neptune Township municipal court judge from 1999 to 2001 after being appointed by then-Mayor Michael Beson.

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

“Our hearts are broken today,” said Arlene Quinones Perez, the Hunterdon County Democratic chair and a former law clerk to Thornton.  “Not only did we lose a friend but a respected jurist. Heaven gained a beautiful soul that we were not ready to lose.”

State Sen. Vin Gopal (D-Long Branch) said that news of Thornton’s passing “is truly heartbreaking.”

“Judge Thornton is singularly the reason why Monmouth has a full judiciary and the reputation of being the best in the state. I will miss her greatly. She is a trailblazer and will go down in Monmouth County history as one of the greatest,” Gopal said.  “I  and so many others across Monmouth County loved her deeply. Her life and legacy will live on in so many she impacted each and every day.”

Attorney General Matt Platin called Thornton “a true public servant,” noting that she was a trailblazer as the first Black woman to serve as an assignment judge in the state.

New Jersey State Bar Association President Timothy McGoughran called Thornton  “a trailblazer in the legal community, leading at all times with integrity, passion and heart.”

“She was the heart and soul of the Monmouth County bench. Her relationship with the bar was second to none. She was collaborative and truly had an open-door policy,” he said.  “Judge Thornton led by example with a tremendous work ethic.  She was strong and serious when necessary but she also had an infectious laugh, warm sense of humor, and ever-present smile… To say she was beloved is an understatement.  She was a devoted public servant, a shining light of justice and has had a lasting positive impact on society.”