Michelle A. Newton is an Assistant Clinical Professor who directs the Family Law Clinic
in the Center for Social Justice. Professor Newton concentrates her practice in domestic
violence, divorce, non-dissolution, and post-judgment matters.
Professor Newton began her legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Daniel D'Alessandro,
Judge of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Family Part. A litigator with over a decade
of experience, Professor Newton went on to represent clients in many areas of Family
Law at Dennigan Cahill Smith, LLC, and she also served as an Early Settlement Panelist
in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Mercer Vicinage. Professor Newton most recently
represented low-income, disabled, and elderly individuals as a staff attorney at Northeast
New Jersey Legal Services. In this capacity, her practice focused on the areas of
Public Benefits Law and Education Law.
Professor Newton is a proud graduate of Seton Hall Law School, magna cum laude, where
she was also inducted into the Order of the Coif. During her time in law school, she
was recognized as a Distinguished Scholar, and was also awarded the Center for Social
Justice Award for the Most Significant Contribution in the Family Law Clinic, the
Charles H. Revson Law Student Public Interest Fellowship, and the Animal Legal Defense
Fund Advancement of Animal Law Scholarship.
Professor Newton's areas of interest include Animal Law. Between 2018 and 2021, she
served as the Co-Chair of the New Jersey State Bar Association Animal Law Committee,
and she has spoken on multiple panels regarding the intersection of Family Law and
Animal Law, and other related topics.