Hon. Edward M. Neafsey, JSC, Assumption College Class of 1972

Edward Neafsey ’72 Named as New Jersey Judge of the Superior Court

May, 2004—Assumption College’s undergraduate Class of 1972 can now officially count a judge among its alums. On May 10, 2004, Edward M. Neafsey was sworn in as a Judge of the Superior Court in his home state of New Jersey.

This appointment is the latest success in Neafsey’s illustrious career. After earning a law degree from Southwestern University in Los Angeles, he served as a captain in the U.S. Army and began his law career in private practice in New Jersey. From there, he progressed into the public sector, serving as Chief of the Environmental Crimes Bureau, Interim Union County Prosecutor, Inspector General, Director of Office Government Integrity, and the state’s first Insurance Fraud Prosecutor. In early 2003, he was named as First Assistant Attorney General.

“Every career government attorney aspires to become a member of the judiciary,” says Neafsey, who is thrilled about his selection. “It’s something that you always dream about…but something you think will always remain a dream.”

Neafsey prepared well for his law career at Assumption College, majoring in psychology and minoring in sociology. He names several influential figures that guided his success, including Ron Elkind, former professor of Education, John Gittins, former professor of Psychology, and Joe Green, former chair of the Sociology department.

Beyond just career preparation, Neafsey lauds the social benefits of a school like Assumption. He boasts several lifelong friends from his undergraduate days, including a group that visits him in New Jersey every year when the NCAA national men’s lacrosse championships are held at Rutgers University. His friendship with John “Jack” Arseneault ’73 spans the personal and the professional, as Arseneault is, in Neafsey’s opinion, “one of the finest criminal defense lawyers in New Jersey.”

Neafsey believes that the effects of a Catholic education have influenced his career positively. “Within a Catholic education, you get a sense of the importance of service to others,” he said. “It has helped me achieve a rewarding career. I’ve had a tremendous sense of fulfillment within the public sector.”