Joseph Makhandal Champagne, Jr., Esq.
Attorney at Law | Former Mayor | Advocate for Justice
Practice Areas
Immigration Law | Family Law | Estate Planning
Criminal Defense | DUI & Traffic Violations | Personal Injury | Workers’ Compensation
Joseph Makhandal Champagne, Jr. is a highly experienced and compassionate attorney dedicated to helping individuals and families navigate life’s most challenging legal issues. His broad practice spans immigration, family law, estate planning, criminal defense, DUI and traffic violations, personal injury, and workers’ compensation. Known for his meticulous preparation and strategic approach, Mr. Champagne provides robust advocacy in high-stakes matters, including deportation defense, serious criminal charges, and injury claims.
Legal Experience
Mr. Champagne brings extensive courtroom and legal experience to his clients. He served as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Wendell E. Daniels, J.S.C., of the Superior Court of New Jersey, Ocean County. He is admitted to practice before:
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- New Jersey Supreme Court
- United States District Court of New Jersey and Northern New York
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit
- U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit
Education
- Juris Doctor, Vermont Law School (VLS)
- Dean’s List
- Founder, Vermont Law Student Leadership Collective for Human Rights
- Exchange Program in European Union Law, Università di Trento, School of Law, Italy
- Bachelor’s Degree, Columbia University
- Charles Hamilton Institute Prelaw Program, Georgetown University, School of Law
Professional and Community Leadership
Mr. Champagne is an active member of the Ocean County Bar Association and the New Jersey Bar Association. He serves on several advisory and judicial committees, including:
- Alternative Dispute Resolution
- Law Day
- Monmouth County Judiciary Advisory Committee on Minority Concerns
He is also a member of the Board of Trustees of Sherman College, School of Chiropractic located in South Carolina.
Public Service
A committed public servant, Mr. Champagne is the former Mayor of the Borough of South Toms River, New Jersey. After being elected to the Borough Council in 2008, he made history in 2010 as the first Haitian-American elected mayor in New Jersey and the first African-descended popularly elected mayor in Ocean County.
National and International Engagement
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- Past President and Current Member, Haitian American Lawyers Association of New Jersey (HALA)
- Past Chairman and Current Member, National Haitian-American Elected Officials Network (NHAEON)
- Former Assistant to the Public Policy Counsel and Executive Director, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, Washington, D.C.
Languages
- English
- Haitian Creole
- French
- Spanish
Personal Life
At the core of Mr. Champagne’s identity is his unwavering devotion to family. As a loving husband to his cherished wife, Nadia, and a proud father to two daughters and a son, he draws daily strength and inspiration from the sacred bonds of marriage and parenthood. His principles—rooted in love, service, and integrity—are forged through the blessings and trials of family life. Whether advocating in the courtroom or offering counsel at home, Mr. Champagne channels the same fierce commitment to safeguarding the futures of his clients as he does his own loved ones. He understands that behind every legal matter lies someone’s most valued treasure—and it is with this understanding that he serves, protects, and champions each case with heartfelt resolve.