By John Spinelli
MIDDLETOWN – Middletown’s celebration of Women’s History Month is extra-special this year as Susan Schroeder Clark was sworn in March 4 as the township’s first female municipal judge.
The township committee voted unanimously last month in favor of her appointment.
“I am humbled by this appointment and appreciate the Township Committee’s support,” Clark said in a press release.
“It will be my honor to serve Middletown and its residents with the highest level of professionalism, respect, and fairness.”
“It is particularly meaningful that we are swearing in the Hon. Judge Clark during Women’s History Month,” said Middletown Mayor Tony Perry.
“On behalf of the township committee, I welcome her Honor as the first woman to hold the job and look forward to the impact she will make in our community.”
In addition to her family for support at the meeting, Clark was surrounded by a strong female community, including state Assemblymember Vicky Flynn, Monmouth County Commissioner Sue Kiley, council member Kim Kratz, and Middletown Board of Education members Jacqueline Tobacco and Caterina Skalaski.
“These distinguished women here today have helped and supported our township committee. They are great leaders who have set an example for our young women and men in the audience at this meeting,” Perry said.
“Everyone has been so welcoming here in Middletown,” Clark said. She thanked Kate Chieffo, the Middletown court administrator, and Judge James Berube, the other municipal court judge, “who didn’t have to be here but have attended.”
“My daughter here wants to go to law school,” Clark said, “and it is such an inspiration to see all of you today.”
Clark began her career in 1994 at the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office. She was eventually promoted to the position of trial team leader. However, in 2006 she decided to take a hiatus to stay at home for her children.
When she returned to the legal profession in 2007, she founded the firm Clark and Clark, now the Susan Clark Law Group.
While in private practice, Clark handled many criminal cases, often advocating for the rights of children in juvenile and education-related trials. She left her practice in 2015 to serve as a municipal court judge for Howell and Tinton Falls.
Clark has also taught at Monmouth University as an adjunct professor in the Criminal Justice Department.
All Two River municipalities have municipal judges to enforce local ordinances. Since 1949, municipalities in New Jersey have been required by law to have a municipal judge to adjudicate ordinance and traffic affairs.
The article originally appeared in the March 28 – April 3, 2024 print edition of The Two River Times.
