Hon. Catherine Fitzpatrick, J.S.C. (Ret.), who served as the Presiding Judge of the Family Part in Mercer County for 10 years before retiring in 2021, has joined the law firm of Stark & Stark as a Family Law Mediator.

“Judge Fitzpatrick is an exceptional addition to our Family Law group and we are thrilled that she has chosen Stark and Stark to continue her career,” said Shareholder and Chair of Stark & Stark’s Family Law & Divorce group Jennifer Millner. “In her role as a mediator and counsel to our clients and attorneys, she will continue to build on her many achievements in the New Jersey Family Law space.”

Before being appointed to the Bench in June 2009, Judge Fitzpatrick practiced family law for 27 years in Lawrenceville, including with her own practice, the Law Offices of Catherine Fitzpatrick, as well as other local firms. She previously worked as a paralegal for Stark & Stark in 1977.

Stark & Stark Managing Shareholder Michael Donahue commented, “We are honored to have Judge Fitzpatrick join us at Stark & Stark. Judge Fitzpatrick brings to our firm a wealth of experience and expertise. She has commanded the respect of lawyers throughout the state for her keen intellect and pragmatic approach to resolving complex matters.”

Judge Fitzpatrick is a graduate of Capital University Law School and Villanova University. She is a past president of the Mercer County Bar Association and member of the New Jersey State Bar Association, New Jersey Association for Justice and Mercer County Family Division Committee. Additionally, she is involved with the New Jersey Association for Justice, Mercer County Family Division Committee, District VII (Mercer County) Ethics Committee, Fee Dispute Committee for District VII and Legal Aid Society of Mercer County.