Hon. Dennis R. O'Brien, J.S.C. (Ret.) is Of Counsel to Keefe Law Firm, focusing on mediation in civil  matters and acting as a Special Adjudicator in discovery disputes.

Appointed to the Superior Court in Monmouth County in 2007 by Governor Jon Corzine, Judge O’Brien has served in Civil, Family, and Criminal Divisions. He earned top rankings from the New Jersey Law Journal for his case management skills and effectiveness in resolving complex matters.

Before his judicial appointment, he earned designation by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Certified Civil Trial Attorney. He practiced for 14 years at Campbell, Foley, Lee, Murphy, and Cernigliaro, where he specialized in personal injury and insurance matters. His practice included roles on several Supreme Court committees and leadership positions within the Monmouth Bar Association and District IX Ethics Committee.

Judge O’Brien began his legal career as a law clerk in Monmouth County, later working as an Assistant Prosecutor in Union County before transitioning to civil litigation.

He holds both his undergraduate and law degrees from Georgetown University. In addition to his legal work, Judge O’Brien has been active in community service, including leadership roles in local zoning and juvenile committees, alumni admissions programs, and civic organizations.

Since retiring from the bench, Judge O’Brien has devoted his career to alternative dispute resolution at Keefe Law Firm, handling primarily mediations, arbitrations, and Special Master discovery requests. 

• 1986 GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY LAW CENTER, Washington, D.C. Juris Doctor
• 1981 GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY, Washington, D.C. Bachelor of Science, Business Administration

• New Jersey State Bar Association
• Monmouth County Bar Association 1986-present: 
  • Civil Practice Committee 1994-2007,Co-Chair 2002-2004; Arbitrator Selection Committee, Co-Chair 2002-2004, Legal & Forensic Committee, Co-Chair 2004-2005; Court House Committee
• Court Appointed Personal Injury Arbitrator
• Court Appointed Mediator
• New Jersey Supreme Court Arbitration Advisory Committee, 2000-2007, 2013-2018
• New Jersey Supreme Court Committee on Rules of Evidence, 2005-2007
• New Jersey Supreme Court Best Practices Statewide  Implementation Oversight Committee, 2000-2002
• District IX Ethics Committee 2000-2004, Vice Chair 2002-2003, Chair 2003-2004, 
• Borough of Fair Haven Zoning Board of Adjustment, 1996-2004, Chair 2003-2004
• Borough of Fair Haven Juvenile Conference Committee, 1997-2007
• Georgetown University Alumni Admissions Committee, 1981-2018
• Georgetown University Alumni Association, Class Representative 1981-Present
• Friendly Sons of St. Patrick of Union County, President 1996
• Frequent Lecturer for ICLE and In-House Seminars

Please call for details.