May 18, 2018
Contact: Paula Saha
Director of Communications
732-214-8509
ATLANTIC CITY – John E. Keefe Jr., the founder of Keefe Law Firm, formerly Keefe Bartels LLC, in Red Bank is the 120th president of the New Jersey State Bar Association.
He took the oath of office last night at the state bar association’s Annual Meeting and Convention at the Borgata Hotel, Casino & Spa in Atlantic City.
Keefe said he is filled with humbled and honored to serve the state’s legal profession. He feels strongly that lawyers and the law are a force for good in society.
“I fundamentally like lawyers. I find them funny, interesting people; and the power of the law can equal the playing field amongst everyone in society.”
Keefe said in the coming year that he plans to focus the energies of the association on advancing legislation that will put professionals on an even playing field; increasing diversity and inclusion in the profession; establishing a mentorship program; and creating a formal network to help attorneys in times of personal or health crisis.
Further, he said, that in light of a cancer diagnosis last year, now that he has returned to full health he is filled with gratitude to accept the position. He pledged to continue the good work of the association.
“Service takes on a different meaning this year,” he said. “I look at it as even more important as a payback – or a pay forward – for all the good things that have happened to me and all the people that have helped me.”
Keefe is a certified civil trial lawyer. His practice specializes in negligence and product liability matters, as well as complex mass tort litigation and class actions. He has tried numerous matters to verdict and prosecuted hundreds of cases on behalf of victims of catastrophic loss, including being appointed as plaintiffs’ liaison counsel in a historic consumer fraud national class action. He is a frequent speaker and moderator of educational seminars for the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education.
His involvement in the organized bar has been extensive and includes serving as a trustee of the state bar, and as the vice chair of the Long-Term Planning Committee. He is also a member of the association’s Amicus, Finance and Operations, and Meeting Arrangements and Program committees, and the Certified Attorneys Section, as well as being a former chair of its Civil Trial Bar Section. Keefe also serves on the board of the New Jersey State Bar Foundation.
AV-rated by Martindale-Hubbell, Keefe earned his B.A. degree in English literature from Gettysburg College in 1987 and his law degree at Seton Hall University School of Law in 1990. He is admitted to the bar of the state of New Jersey, U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey and the U.S. District Court, Northern District of Florida, Washington D.C. and the U.S. Supreme Court.
He is married to Estee. They have three sons.
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Keefe is NJSBA 2018-2019 President
Contact: NJSBA Communications Department
Tel: 732-937-7527
Email: [email protected]