Denis F. McLaughlin

Professor Denis F. McLaughlin serves as full-time faculty at Seton Hall University School of Law, where he has taught since 1984 and joined the permanent faculty in 1987. He specializes in Civil Procedure, Evidence, and Trial Advocacy as Founding Director of the Denis F. McLaughlin Advanced Trial Advocacy Workshop.

His educational credentials include a B.A. magna cum laude and J.D. Order of the Coif from Villanova University, where he served as Case and Comment Editor of the Law Review and received the Dougherty Fellowship covering full tuition and room/board.

Research centers on civil litigation frameworks with emphasis on evidence standards, trial strategy, and jurisdictional mechanics. His scholarship directly influences New Jersey practice through annual case law reviews and a Federal Supplemental Jurisdiction Statute analysis cited in 48 judicial opinions including federal appeals courts.

Professional recognition includes:

• 2023-24 University Teacher of the Year
• Seven-time Student Bar Association Professor of the Year
• McQuaid Medal for University Service (2009)
• Miriam T. Rooney Award for Law School Service (2005)
• William E. Garland Fellowship (2009)

Professor McLaughlin directs the Judicial Externship Program and founded the Advanced Trial Advocacy Workshop entering its sixth year in 2025. He maintains active judicial engagement through New Jersey Supreme Court committees on Evidence Rules and Special Civil Part Practice, while providing continuing legal education for state attorneys and bar examinees.