Prosecutor will become state Superior Court judge

FREEHOLD TOWNSHIP – Teresa Kondrup-Coyle, who has been Freehold Township’s Municipal Court prosecutor since November 1999, will be sworn in as a state Superior Court judge at the Mon-mouth County Court House, Freehold Borough, on July 27.

Coyle has been a Freehold Township resident for most of her life. She graduated from Freehold Township High School, Brookdale Community College and Rutgers University, and received her law degree from New York Law School.

She began her career working for the law firm of Lomurro, Davison, Eastman and Munoz, and Richard T. O’Connor, Esq., respectively.

In 1995, Coyle opened a private law practice in Freehold and also served as counsel to Monmouth County Surrogate Marie S. Muhler. She continued to serve the community for the next eight years as a member of the board of trustees at Brookdale Community College and more recently, has served as a board of trustees member at CentraState Medical Center for eight years.

She is a licensed foster parent and teaches religious education at St. Robert Bellarmine in Freehold Township. Coyle resides in Freehold Township with her husband, Tom, and son Seamus.

“I look forward to my new position as a Superior Court judge, and yet it is difficult for me to believe I am ending such an important phase of my life.

“I consider myself part of the fabric of Freehold Township, not just for the past eight years while I served as prosecutor, but since 1966 when my family first moved here,” Coyle said.

Mayor Dorothy H. Avallone said, “Terry is a talented and well-respected prosecutor, and I know her intellect and integrity will serve her well as judge. This appointment is well deserved. She will be missed in Freehold Township.”

According to a press release from the township, Nicole L. Sonnenblick has been appointed as the new municipal prosecutor.

Sonnenblick holds a law degree from Rutgers University. She was a former assistant prosecutor for Monmouth County and was in private practice as a criminal defense attorney.

“Freehold Township has the busiest court in Monmouth County, but we are sure Nicole is up for the task,” Avallone said.

Avallone noted that in a field such as government which is traditionally dominated by men, Freehold Township appears to be the exception.

Key roles in the municipal government that are held by women are chief financial officer Debrah DeFeo, tax collector Marylou Angelo, tax assessor Helen Ward, public health officer Margaret Jahn, deputy clerk Terry Warner, public information officer Patricia Hopkins, superintendent of parks and recreation Sue McGough, personnel officer Denise Warren, welfare director Roseann Polo, court administrator Jane Vitulli and director of information technology Holly Manis.