John E. Keefe Sr.

As Of Counsel at Wilentz, Goldman & Spitzer, P.A., John E. Keefe, Sr., former Presiding Judge of the Appellate Division, is a highly sought after mediator, providing mediation, arbitration and consultation and discovery master services. Appointed to the bench in 1977, Judge Keefe’s judicial career spanned nearly 25 years. He retired in 2001 as a Presiding Judge of the Appellate Division of the New Jersey Superior Court where he served for 13 years. Prior to joining Wilentz in 2021, Judge Keefe served as Of Counsel to Keefe Law Firm. Shortly after his judicial appointment, 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. In 1984, he was appointed to the position of Presiding Judge of the General Equity Part, and 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.