Suess, Deborah J.

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.