On Tuesday, October 22, 2024, the Bergen County Bar Association will proudly present Andrew J. Cevasco, its 120th President, with the Honorable Peter Ciolino Professional Lawyer of the Year Award. Andrew’s remarkable legal journey began in January 1978, shortly after earning his degree from Fordham University and while attending NYU School of Law. He commenced his career as a law clerk at Breslin, Herten & LePore, just across the Green from the Bergen County Courthouse.
Upon graduating from NYU School of Law, Andrew had the privilege of serving as Law Secretary to the Honorable Robert L. Clifford, Justice of the New Jersey Supreme Court, during the 1980-1981 term. He then returned to Hackensack to continue his legal career as an associate at Breslin, Herten & LePore. By 1987, Andrew had risen to partner at Herten, Burstein, Sheridan & Cevasco, and later joined Archer & Greiner, P.C. as a partner in 2011, with offices again located across Main Street from the Bergen County Courthouse. Hackensack, as Andrew puts it, “has been very, very good to him.”
For more than 40 years in practice, Andrew has cultivated strong relationships with members of the Bar, the Judiciary, and countless clients. His approach to every legal matter emphasizes thoughtful, practical strategies focused on addressing key legal issues while considering the client’s broader situation. Andrew takes pride in breaking down complex legal concepts into clear, understandable terms, ensuring that clients are both comfortable and informed throughout the process. He always aims to find practical, collaborative solutions that meet his clients’ needs and expectations, but he remains fully prepared to advocate in court when necessary.
Andrew’s legal expertise spans estate litigation, estate planning and administration, and business counseling. He also handles guardianship and elder law matters, and has been appointed by the court to oversee troubled estates and represent minors and incapacitated individuals. In addition to his practice, he frequently lectures on estate planning, ethics, and professionalism, and has represented attorneys in ethics matters before both the Disciplinary Review Board and the New Jersey Supreme Court.
Andrew has an impressive history of service to the legal profession. He was a Trustee and Officer of the Bergen County Bar Association for 17 years and served as its President from 2019-2020. He continues to co-chair multiple committees and remains active in the Association. He also served for 13 years on the N.J. Supreme Court Committee on Character, reviewing applications for new Bar members, and for four years on the District IIB Ethics Committee. Currently, Andrew co-chairs the Bergen County Judicial and Prosecutorial Appointments Committee (JPAC), which evaluates judicial candidates, and serves on the New Jersey Commission on Professionalism in the Law.
Outside of his legal work, Andrew treasures his family. He and his wife, Doreen, have been married for 45 years and are the proud parents of four children—Marc, Alison, Andrew, and Kevin—three children-in-law—Jenna, Chris, and Monique—and six beloved grandchildren—Grant, Ben, Nathan, CJ, Emma, and Lily. Andrew credits his family’s unwavering support and love, especially Doreen, for enabling him to pursue such a fulfilling and demanding career.
To register for the Professionalism Dinner, please click here.