Former Ocean County judge joins one of NJ’s largest law firms

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Woodbridge-based Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer PA announced May 9 that former Ocean County prosecutor and judge Marlene Lynch Ford has joined the firm as of counsel in its Red Bank office.

Ford, who retired in February as an assignment judge for the Superior Court of New Jersey in Ocean County, has had an extensive career in public service with 24 years of experience on the bench.

She also served as Ocean County prosecutor, appointed to the position in 2007 by former Gov. Jon Corzine. Ford held that role until March 2013, when Gov. Chris Christie reappointed her to the Superior Court. In 2015, Chief Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court Stuart Rabner appointed her assignment judge, the position she held until her retirement this year.

In addition to her robust public service, which also included two terms as an Assemblywoman representing the 10th Legislative District, Ford has worked in private practice and founded her own law firm in Point Pleasant Beach.

In this new role at Wilentz, she will join the Alternate Dispute Resolution practice, focusing on internal investigations and mediations for civil, commercial and family law matters. She will also serve as a special master in complex litigation matters.

“I have the utmost confidence in Judge Ford’s decades of service to the bench, in addition to her experience as an attorney, legislator, and prosecutor, will be invaluable asset to all parties,” said Angelo Cifaldi, president and managing director of Wilentz, in a press release. “We are thrilled to have her join the firm.”