For Immediate Release
March 14, 2024

County Commissioners & Monmouth Vicinage
host dedication ceremony for
Honorable Lisa P. Thornton Memorial Hall

FREEHOLD, NJ – The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, in partnership with the Monmouth Vicinage and the Monmouth County Bar Association, unveiled the west entrance/security vestibule of the Monmouth County Courthouse as the Honorable Lisa P. Thornton Memorial Hall during a ceremony on March 13.

“I would meet regularly with Judge Thornton, and she was kind, and she would walk in the room and give you a hug, then sit down and it was all business,” said Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone. “We would go through the process and after, she’d get up and hug you with the same kindness she gave when you entered the room with her. That truly describes Judge Thornton. This dedication is something she would never have asked for, but it is so well deserved.”

“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.

“Judge Thornton was the first African American female assignment Judge in New Jersey history and when you consider the challenges she conquered on her way to that distinction it is truly astounding,” said Monmouth County Superior Court Assignment Judge Marc C. Lemieux. “This hall now memorializes Judge Thornton’s contribution to the rich history of this courthouse and to the profession. It is a lasting honor to her memory, a joyful reminder to those of us lucky to have known her and ensures that future generations of lawyers and citizens will be introduced to her.”

This dedication today allows us the opportunity to honor and exemplify for all, the merit of a life committed to service, and to exalt a selfless soul,” said Monmouth County Bar Association President, M. Scott Tashjy. “Dedication to service and selfless leadership will be Judge Thornton’s lasting legacy.”

“The word that keeps coming up when people talk about Judge Thornton is ‘trailblazer’ and that’s because that’s exactly who she was.,” said New Jersey Bar Association President Timothy F. McGoughran. “But with her collaborative spirit, her open-door policy and her warm sense of humor and ever-present smile, she was also the heart and soul of this vicinage. How fitting that this space should bear her name forevermore. What a profoundly special person she was; a devoted public servant and a shining light of justice.”

“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 dedication ceremony was live-streamed on the Monmouth County Government’s Facebook and YouTube Channel. For photos taken during the event, please click here. Please credit all photos to Monmouth County Government.

For more information about Monmouth County, go to www.visitmonmouth.com.

FREEHOLD, NJ - The Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners, in partnership with the Monmouth Vicinage and the Monmouth County Bar Association, unveiled the west entrance/security vestibule of the Monmouth County Courthouse as the Honorable Lisa P. Thornton Memorial Hall during a ceremony on March 13. (Left to right: M. Scott Tashjy, President of the Monmouth County Bar Association, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago, Commissioner Erik Anderson, Commissioner Susan M. Kiley, Kent Thornton, nephew of Judge Lisa P. Thornton, Commissioner Director Thomas A. Arnone, Monmouth County Clerk Christine Giordano Hanlon, Commissioner Deputy Director Ross F. Licitra, Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden and Monmouth County Surrogate Maureen T. Raisch.) Photo by Monmouth County Government.

FREEHOLD, NJ – The west entrance/security vestibule of the Monmouth County Courthouse has been dedicated in honor of the Honorable Lisa P. Thornton. Photo by Monmouth County Government.

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