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John E. Keefe Sr. 
Shrewsbury, New Jersey
Of Counsel
phone (732) 224-9400
(866) 575-5000 (Toll Free)
fax (732) 224-9494
email Email Me

John E. Keefe Sr. retired from his position as a Presiding Judge of the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court where he served for thirteen years. Appointed to the bench in 1977, Judge Keefe's judicial career spanned nearly twenty-five years.

Prior to his appointment to the bench, Judge Keefe was a civil trial attorney. His trial practice involved various areas of law, including medical malpractice, product liability, and insurance. Shortly after becoming a judge, Judge Keefe was designated to supervise and administer a pilot project involving statewide asbestos litigation. As a result of that designation, he was responsible for the appointment of the first full-time Special Master in New Jersey, and developed uniform discovery procedures that were recognized on a national level. In 1984 he was appointed to the position of Presiding Judge of the General Equity Part. He served in that capacity and as Asbestos judge until he was appointed to the Appellate Division in July 1988. During his tenure in the Superior Court, Judge Keefe also served on several committees and chaired the Committee on Model Civil Charges and Complex Case Management. 

In addition to his of counsel duties to the firm, Judge Keefe focuses his practice on mediation, arbitration, special master services, and consultation in connection with complex litigation and appellate matters.

Areas of Practice:
70% Mediation
20% Arbitration
10% Of Counsel Consultation and Discovery Master Services
Bar Admissions:
New Jersey, 1965
U.S. District Court District of New Jersey, 1965
Education:
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey School of Law - Newark, Newark, New Jersey
L.L.B.


Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
B.S.
Honors: Dean's List
Major:  Political Science


Published Works:
Co-Author, New Jersey Products Liability & Toxic Torts Law, Gann Law Books


Presumed Knowledge: A Legal Fiction Gone Awry?, 19 Seton Hall L Rev, 174, 1989


Proving Product Defect After the Restatement (Third) of Torts: Product Liability, 30 Seton Hall L. Rev. 1, 1999


Classes/Seminars Taught:
Seton Hall School of Law, 1986 - 2002


New Jersey Judicial College, 1988 - Present


New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, 1980 - Present


Honors and Awards:
Distinguished Service Award, NJ Inst for Continuing Legal Education, 2003


James McLaughlin Professionalism Award, Civil Trial Bar Section, N.J. Bar Ass'n., 2003


Daniel L. Golden Lifetime Achievement Award - Trial Attorneys of New Jersey, 2005


Professional Associations and Memberships:
The American Law Institute


Fellow of the American Bar Association


New Jersey State Bar Association


Middlesex County Bar Association


Middlesex County Trial Lawyers Association


Trial Attorneys of New Jersey - Trustee


Past Employment Positions:
Superior Court of New Jersey, Judge, 1977 - 2001


Keefe Bartels & Clark LLC serves accident and injury clients in Atlantic County, Camden County, Essex County, Hudson County, Mercer County, Middlesex County, Monmouth County and Union County, including Newark, New Jersey, Brick Township, Edison Township, Freehold, Howell, Jersey City, Keansburg, Kearny, Lakewood Township, Long Branch, Manalapan Township, Marlboro Township, Middletown Township, New Brunswick, Old Bridge, Red Bank, Shrewsbury, Tinton Falls, Toms River, Dover Township, Trenton, Wall Township and Woodbridge, and throughout the states of New Jersey and New York.