Dennis Michael Cavanaugh (born January 28, 1947) is a retired United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey.

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Quick Facts Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Appointed by ...

Dennis Michael Cavanaugh
Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
In office September 20, 2000 – January 31, 2014
Appointed by	Bill Clinton
Preceded by	Alfred M. Wolin
Succeeded by	Madeline Cox Arleo
Magistrate Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey
In office 1993–2000
Personal details
Born	Dennis Michael Cavanaugh (1947-01-28) January 28, 1947 (age 77) Orange, New Jersey
Education	Morehead State University (BA) Seton Hall University School of Law (JD)

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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]

On May 3, 2000, Cavanaugh was nominated by President Bill Clinton , to a seat on the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, which had been 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.