Dennis M. Cavanaugh

Cavanaugh was born on January 28, 1947 in Orange, New Jersey. He was raised as an Irish Catholic.[1] Cavanaugh was educated at Morehead State University (Bachelor of Arts, 1969) and Seton Hall University School of Law (Juris Doctor, 1972).[1] Cavanaugh teaches at Seton Hall as a member of the law school's adjunct faculty.[1]

Cavanaugh began his legal career as a law clerk to Judge Francis W. Hayden in the New Jersey Superior Court (1972–73).[1] 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).[1] 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 (1988–89).[1]

Cavanaugh was nominated by President Bill Clinton on May 3, 2000, to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey vacated by Judge Alfred M. Wolin.[1] 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 of the same district (1993–2000).[1] His service terminated on January 31, 2014, due to retirement.

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