Superior Court Judge Terrence Cook Appointed to Lead Burlington Vicinage

Chief Justice Stuart Rabner today announced that Superior Court Judge Terrence Cook will lead the Burlington Vicinage, effective Feb. 1.

Judge Cook will succeed Assignment Judge Jeanne T. Covert, who is retiring after nearly 20 years on the bench and more than five years as assignment judge.

"Judge Covert's impressive record of leadership and professionalism will be greatly missed," Chief Justice Stuart Rabner said. "We are fortunate to have Judge Cook as her successor, whose work as a judge and experience in civil rights matters before then position him to be a strong assignment judge and a compelling voice for the justice system."

In more than 15 years at the Burlington Vicinage, Judge Cook has served in the family and criminal divisions. Assigned to the criminal division in 2012, Judge Cook was appointed presiding judge there in 2018. He served in the family division for three years after being appointed to the bench in 2009.

"I am honored to lead the Burlington Vicinage and would like to thank Chief Justice Rabner for his confidence in my ability to build upon the outstanding work of the assignment judges before me. I look forward to serving with the exceptional staff and judges in the vicinage," Judge Cook said.

Judge Cook was appointed to the bench by Gov. Jon Corzine and reappointed in 2016 by Gov. Chris Christie.

Before beginning his judicial career, Judge Cook served for eight years as a supervisory trial attorney for the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, where he prosecuted federal class action and individual discriminatory employment practice cases under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, and as a deputy attorney general for the New Jersy State Department of Law and Public Safety for a year.

A graduate of Rutgers University, Judge Cook earned his Master of Laws degree from Temple University School of Law and his law degree from the University of Toledo College School of Law.