RUTHERFORD, NJ—As part of Women’s History Month and this year’s theme, “Leading the Change: Women Shaping a Sustainable Future,” Judith J. Sullivan, Esq., exemplifies how women are creating lasting impact through law, education, and public service. An adjunct professor and pre-law advisor at Felician University, she brings more than three decades of experience in corporate law, litigation, and public interest work to her classrooms. She is the founder of Sullivan Law and Government Affairs Firm and has advised domestic and multinational clients across a range of industries on complex commercial and regulatory matters.

Her practice increasingly focuses on community and cultural impact, including her current work as counsel to the Ramapough Lenape Indian Nation to preserve a historically significant site in the Ramapo Mountains. Beyond the courtroom, Sullivan has held leadership roles in public service, including serving as president of a regional school district board in northern New Jersey, guiding policy and planning for thousands of students and staff.

Mentoring Future Lawyers

At Felician University, she teaches Constitutional Law and Critical Thinking, mentoring students through the law school application process and providing authentic insight into the legal profession. “I serve as a Pre-Law Advisor and adjunct professor, where I work closely with students considering law school,” she says. “My role focuses not only on classroom instruction but also on helping students understand the legal field—and I do love being a lawyer!”

Sullivan encourages students to develop skills in logic, critical thinking, and analytical writing, and to gain early exposure to the legal profession through internships, court observation, and conversations with practicing attorneys. Her teaching emphasizes practical application, drawing on real cases and professional experience to show students how legal principles operate in practice.

“I was drawn to the law because it sits at the intersection of analytical reasoning, advocacy, and real-world impact,” she explains. “Over time, I discovered a passion for mentoring the next generation of lawyers, which led me into teaching alongside my legal practice.”

Serving Communities

Public service has long been a central focus of Sullivan’s career. She has participated in environmental and historic preservation efforts across New Jersey and views civic engagement as a natural extension of legal practice. “Using the law to serve communities and address societal issues has always been important to me,” she notes.

Her professional excellence has been widely recognized, including the Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rating for over 20 years and multiple Super Lawyer honors. Reflecting on Women’s History Month, Sullivan says, “Throughout my career, I have focused on building pathways—whether through legal work, public service, or advising students. Helping them develop the skills, confidence, and perspective to succeed is an important part of shaping a more equitable and sustainable future.”

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About Felician University
Felician University is committed to supporting academic success at any stage of life. With over 2,700 undergraduate, graduate, and adult education students enrolled across the Schools of Arts & Sciences, Business & Information Sciences, Nursing, and Education, Felician provides diverse learning experiences that equip all students with the skills to meet the demands of today’s society. Over the past five years, Felician University has consistently ranked 3rd among private institutions in New Jersey for best value according to payscale.com and Money Magazine and has been recognized as one of the best college locations in New Jersey (#4) according to niche.com. Our Master of Science in Nursing program is ranked one of the best online graduate nursing programs in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and the Princeton Review. We are proud to be designated as a Military Friendly School (Gold Status) for the fifteenth year, a testament to our dedicated support of Veteran students. Our diversity as an HSI (Hispanic Serving Institution) and MSI (Minority Serving Institution), with underrepresented students comprising more than half of the student population, reflects our inclusive and supporting environment and earned us a spot on Washington Monthly’s Top 100 HSI list (#30). With campuses in Rutherford and Lodi, New Jersey, our Franciscan values of respect for human dignity, compassion, and social justice are woven into the very foundation and development of tomorrow’s leaders. Felician University is sponsored by Felician Sisters International.  For more information, please visit https://felician.edu.