Connie Bentley McGhee Esq.

Connie Bentley McGhee, the driving force behind Connie Bentley McGhee Attorney at Law, is a legal luminary whose passion for justice burns brighter than ever. With roots deeply planted in Essex County, she embarked on her remarkable journey in 1994, establishing a law firm that has since become a beacon of hope for middle-market business owners, individuals, and government agencies across the state of New Jersey. Connie's unwavering dedication has centered around criminal litigation, basic estate planning, wills, and power of attorney, earning her the revered title of "The Uncommon Attorney."

Armed with a Juris Doctor from Seton Hall University Law School, an LLM from Temple University Law School, and a prestigious 1995 NJ Supreme Court criminal trial attorney certification, Connie stands as a testament to the very best of the "uncommon lawyer, in these common times." For over two decades, she has presided as the Municipal prosecutor in several municipalities, including Newark, Camden, Elizabeth, Trenton, Roselle, etching her name into the annals of legal excellence.

Connie's commitment to her profession extends far beyond the courtroom, with a leadership and participation track record that reads like a legal hall of fame. She has proudly served as President of the Garden State Bar Association, a Trustee with the Essex County Bar Association, and faculty at the renowned Gerry Spence Trial Lawyers' College in Dubois, Wyoming. Her memberships include the prestigious Association of Black Women Lawyers, New Jersey Municipal Prosecutors Association, Association of Black Women Lawyers, National Bar Association, and the American Bar Association. As a life member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., the NAACP, and the Somerset Book Lovers Club, she has etched her name into the annals of organizations that make a lasting impact.

Connie's recent membership in "When Black Women Gather" underscores her passion for meaningful conversations and her commitment to shedding light on vital issues facing women today. Her fervent belief in transparent justice has led her to initiate community seminars, aptly titled "From Arrest To Arraignment," held at the Newark Library and online via Zoom. Through these seminars, she empowers the public by educating them about their rights in the face of pressing legal situations.

Her commitment to the community is further exemplified by her collaboration with the Passaic County Surrogate and a former Municipal Court Judge on a panel discussion about Basic Estate Planning. Additionally, through her partnership with the Association of Black Women's Lawyers, she facilitated a workshop, sponsored by Mercer County Community College, titled "When They See Us," shining a light on the narrow perspectives that often negatively define black people.

In 2005, Connie made history by becoming one of the first attorneys to receive the peer-nominated honor of "Super Lawyers" in the field of criminal law, as published by the New Jersey Monthly Magazine. In 2007, NJBiz recognized her as one of New Jersey's best Women in Business, further solidifying her status as a trailblazer in her field.

Beyond her legal commitments, Connie finds solace in the pages of books and the serenity of hiking along creeks and mountains. Her adventurous spirit has carried her across the globe, with visits to Democratic Republic of the Congo, China, Senegal, Hong Kong, France, Italy, Monaco, Canada, Mexico, England, Great Britain, Caribbean Island, and all 45 Continental States, including the rugged beauty of Alaska.

Yet, amidst her remarkable career and her globetrotting adventures, Connie's proudest role is that Mother. Her two sons, Samuel and Jeffrey, ages 40 and 37 respectively, illuminate her life with their love and light. Connie Bentley McGhee, a woman of unwavering passion, exceptional dedication, and boundless compassion, stands as a shining example of the extraordinary possibilities that lie within the realm of the law and beyond.