Ocean City’s Susan Sheppard has had a long career in law, beginning work in Pennsylvania for the firm of Blank, Rome, Comisky & McCauley in 1991, after graduating Cum Laude from Widener University Law School. She continued her career in New Jersey working for McCabe, Weisberg & Conway. In the public realm, Sheppard served from 2003 to 2006 as the Assistant City Solicitor of Atlantic City. She was first elected in Ocean City as the 3rd Ward Councilwoman holding the position from 2008 until 2011, and served as Council President from 2009 to 2010. Late in 2010, she was elected to the Cape May County Board of Chosen Freeholders and served as Vice-Director. Up until recently, she sat as the Surrogate of Cape May County, after being elected in 2012 and then re-elected for a five year term.
Now Sheppard can add a new title to her resume: Superior Court Judge.
Judge Julio Mendez administered the oath and said that Sheppard’s initial appointment would be to hear cases in the Family Division of the court.
“I am confident you will do that work well,” Judge Mendez said after swearing-in Sheppard before an audience of family and friends which packed the Courthouse Wednesday in Cape May Courthouse.
Although this role is a new one for Sheppard, it continues a family tradition. Her father, Honorable Albert W. Sheppard, Jr. was a Judge in Pennsylvania and Susan donned (with the assistance of Freeholder Director Jerry Thornton) one of her dad’s old judicial robes for the occasion.
“Our father would have been proud that Susan is following in his footsteps,” her brother Mark, an attorney, said.
Sheppard said she was both humbled by her selection and eager to get to work. “I am honored and looking forward to the opportunity to serve the community.”
