Moorestown Man Appointed Superior Court Judge For First Time

MOORESTOWN, NJ — A Moorestown attorney with experience in state governance as been confirmed as a Superior Court judge, officials announced.

Craig Ambrose is one of three Burlington County judges who was appointed to the state superior court for the first time by the New Jersey Senate on Thursday.

“Craig Ambrose, Sander Friedman and Mary Ann O’Brien have all been exemplary attorneys and public servants who have used their knowledge and expertise in service to our residents,” the Burlington County Board of Chosen Freeholders said in a joint statement. “We owe them a debt of gratitude and are thrilled they will be able to continue that service as Superior Court judges with the Judiciary.”

All three residents were sworn onto the bench Thursday afternoon at the Burlington County Courthouse following the Senate’s confirmation vote.

“One of the greatest honors and most important roles I have is playing a part in the selection of who will serve in our state’s Judiciary,” State Sen. Troy Singleton (D-7) said. “I have made a great effort to put forth a diverse group of judicial nominees that are not only knowledgeable, impartial, and experienced, but have an aptitude for public service. Thus far, these include Superior Court Judge Eric Fikry, who is Asian-American, as well as three African-American women –Superior Court Judge Lisa James-Beavers and Administrative Law Judges Kim Belin and Joan Burke.

“The three candidates approved by the Senate today are a continuation of our commitment to selecting candidates who demonstrate both the excellence and temperament required of our Superior Court. Burlington County has no shortage of keen legal minds – best evidenced by the selection of our very own Fabiana Pierre-Louis as the next Supreme Court Justice – and I know that Sander Friedman, Craig Ambrose, and Mary Ann O’Brien will be outstanding additions to the Judiciary.”

Ambrose has spent more than five years in government service as a deputy attorney general and associate counsel in the Governor’s Office, officials said. Before that, he was a contract attorney and independent legal counsel, and was an assistance vice president and legal counsel for Hartz Mountain Industries.

Friedman has served as the Burlington County Solicitor since January 2019. He leads the county’s in-house legal department and serves has the chief legal counsel for county officials. Prior to his county appointment, he operated a private law practice in Medford, where he is a longtime resident.

O’Brien, also of Medford, has served as Burlington County’s elected surrogate since 2017. Before becoming surrogate, O’Brien served as a county freeholder from 2010 through 2012 and again from 2015 until 2017, when she assumed the surrogate post.