Michael R. Casale

Having served as a trial judge in one of the busiest courts in New Jersey, I strongly believe that mediation and arbitration are often quicker and more cost-effective routes to fair and final dispute resolutions, and avoid the case backlog that impacts our judicial system in traditional litigation.

Judge Casale focuses his practice on mediation, arbitration, settlement conferences and discovery management. He has extensive experience in the areas of family law, personal injury and insurance defense, which he brings to bear in his representation of clients in complex family and civil disputes, including malpractice and employment litigation matters. His practice also encompasses consultation and trial strategy in child custody, relocation, child support and domestic violence matters. 

In 2016, Judge Casale retired from the New Jersey Judiciary following over 20 years of service as a Superior Court Judge in Essex County, serving at the trial court level in the Criminal (1996 – 2008), Civil (2008 – 2011) and Family (2011 – 2016) Divisions. During his long judicial career, Judge Casale presided over a death penalty case, numerous gang and drug trials, negligence cases, medical and legal malpractice lawsuits, employment discrimination matters, commercial litigations, product liability claims, and a wide range of family law cases.

Prior to his service on the bench, Judge Casale represented clients as a litigator in private practice, representing numerous New Jersey municipalities in personal injury defense matters and handling litigation matters for insurance company clients.

Results may vary depending on your particular facts and legal circumstances.