Dennis M. Cavanaugh
Encyclopedia
United States District Judge Dennis Michael Cavanaugh sits in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
.
. He was raised as an Irish Catholic.
Cavanaugh's federal judicial service includes a judgeship in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. He was nominated by former President William J. Clinton on May 3, 2000, to a seat vacated by Judge Alfred M. Wolin. Cavanaugh was confirmed by the United States Senate
on July 21, 2000 and received commission on September 20, 2000. Cavanaugh was formerly a United States magistrate judge
for the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (1993-2000). Cavanaugh was educated at Morehead State University
(B.A., 1969) and Seton Hall University School of Law
(J.D., 1972). Cavanaugh remains very loyal to his law school alma mater and he teaches there as a member of the law school's adjunct faculty.
Cavanaugh began his legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Francis W. Hayden in the New Jersey Superior Court
(1972-73). He was then an Assistant Deputy Public Defender for the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender
(1973-77) before entering private practice in various law firms in New Jersey (1977-92). Cavanaugh's private practice includes his partnership at the law firms of McCormack Petrolle & Matthews (1992), Whipple Ross & Hirsh (1987-92) and Tompkins McGuire & Wachenfeld (1984-87). He also served as a partner (1980-84) and associate (1977-80) at Lum Biunno & Tompkins. Cavanaugh was the Borough Prosecutor for the Borough of Caldwell, New Jersey
(1988-89). Then, in 1993, Cavanaugh was installed as a United States Magistrate Judge in the District of New Jersey, a position that he held until 2000, when he was elevated to District Judge.
Cavanaugh is also known for writing very concise opinions. He is more concerned with the swift adjudication of justice than with drafting law review type opinions.
United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
The United States District Court for the District of New Jersey is the federal district court whose jurisdiction is the state of New Jersey....
.
Background
Cavanaugh was born on January 28, 1947 in Orange, New JerseyOrange, New Jersey
The City of Orange is a city and township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township population was 30,134...
. He was raised as an Irish Catholic.
Cavanaugh's federal judicial service includes a judgeship in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey. He was nominated by former President William J. Clinton on May 3, 2000, to a seat vacated by Judge Alfred M. Wolin. Cavanaugh was confirmed by the United States Senate
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
on July 21, 2000 and received commission on September 20, 2000. Cavanaugh was formerly a United States magistrate judge
United States magistrate judge
In the United States federal courts, magistrate judges are appointed to assist United States district court judges in the performance of their duties...
for the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey (1993-2000). Cavanaugh was educated at Morehead State University
Morehead State University
Morehead State University is a public, co-educational university located in Morehead, Kentucky, United States in the foothills of the Daniel Boone National Forest in Rowan County, midway between Lexington, Kentucky, and Huntington, West Virginia. The 2012 edition of "America's Best Colleges" by U.S...
(B.A., 1969) and Seton Hall University School of Law
Seton Hall University School of Law
The Seton Hall University School of Law is part of Seton Hall University, and is located in downtown Newark, New Jersey. Seton Hall Law School is the only private law school in New Jersey, and is the top-ranked of the three law schools in the state...
(J.D., 1972). Cavanaugh remains very loyal to his law school alma mater and he teaches there as a member of the law school's adjunct faculty.
Cavanaugh began his legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Francis W. Hayden in the New Jersey Superior Court
New Jersey Superior Court
The Superior Court is the state court in the U.S. state of New Jersey, with state-wide trial and appellate jurisdiction. The Superior Court has three divisions: the Appellate Division is essentially an intermediate appellate court while the Law and Chancery Divisions function as trial courts...
(1972-73). He was then an Assistant Deputy Public Defender for the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender
New Jersey Office of the Public Defender
The New Jersey Office of the Public Defender is an agency that is a part of the government of the state of New Jersey, in the United States. The agency provides legal aid to "low income people charged with major crimes."...
(1973-77) before entering private practice in various law firms in New Jersey (1977-92). Cavanaugh's private practice includes his partnership at the law firms of McCormack Petrolle & Matthews (1992), Whipple Ross & Hirsh (1987-92) and Tompkins McGuire & Wachenfeld (1984-87). He also served as a partner (1980-84) and associate (1977-80) at Lum Biunno & Tompkins. Cavanaugh was the Borough Prosecutor for the Borough of Caldwell, New Jersey
Caldwell, New Jersey
Caldwell is a borough located in northwestern Essex County, New Jersey, about outside of New York. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 7,822....
(1988-89). Then, in 1993, Cavanaugh was installed as a United States Magistrate Judge in the District of New Jersey, a position that he held until 2000, when he was elevated to District Judge.
Judicial Philosophy
Cavanaugh is commonly known for his practicality on the bench. As a Magistrate Judge, Cavanaugh developed a reputation for quickly settling cases. While he is less scholarly than his peers, Cavanaugh is efficient and moves through cases for a swift adjudication of cases.Cavanaugh is also known for writing very concise opinions. He is more concerned with the swift adjudication of justice than with drafting law review type opinions.