By Anthony J. Machcinski
Observer Correspondent
As rock superstar and New Jersey native Bon Jovi once wrote in a song, “Who says you can’t go home?”
“I’m from Kearny – born and raised,” attorney Kenneth Davie said. “I always wanted to practice (law) in or near my hometown.”
Davie said that becoming a lawyer had been a dream of his since he was a boy growing up on Quincy Ave. and Elm St.
“I wanted to be a lawyer since I was 8 years old,” Davie said. “I’ve never felt like this wasn’t for me. I’ve always wanted to be a lawyer.”
Davie, now a general practice attorney who serves the West Hudson community from his Harrison office, started on his path to the law by earning an undergraduate degree in political science from Rutgers University in New Brunswick. In 1970, Davie was admitted to the Duquesne University School of Law in Pittsburgh.
In 1973, Davie served as law clerk to Judge Joseph Hanrahan, the criminal assignment judge in Hudson County. It was his time with Hanrahan that Davie believes benefitted him the most.
“A good clerkship can really benefit a young lawyer,” Davie said. “Hanrahan would take me into his chambers after a case and tell me what people should have done differently or what they failed to do.”
After completing his clerkship, Davie then began working as a general practice attorney before partnering with fellow West Hudson attorney and current Hudson County Freeholder Al Cifelli in 1978.
“My partner is an absolutely brilliant lawyer,” Davie said of Cifelli. “I can’t say enough about him. He’s one of the most genuinely funny people I’ve ever met and a really great lawyer.”
Davie said what distinguishes him and Cifelli from other attorneys is the personal service and attention they give to their clients.
“What separates us is our personal service,” Davie said. “We’re here many long hours because my clients can’t always see me during the week.”
He added, “I believe we’re more sensitive to people’s needs and our responses to them and helping them through difficult periods of their life. We give lots of good personal service and I return all phone calls before I leave. This is what you do when you try to help people.”
It’s the desire and determination to help people that drove Davie to becoming an
attorney.
“I believe that the role of a lawyer is to help people solve problems,” Davie said. “I love to help people solve problems and I can do that here.”
Davie said that while not everything has been easy for him, his determination has allowed him to persevere those tough times.
“Nobody outworks me,” Davie explained. “I work very hard. That’s the way you get through challenges. You work hard. If you’re prepared, you’re better than everybody and I’m prepared.”
Davie’s services aren’t just limited to his private practice. For years, he has served as an attorney for multiple municipalities. He has served as the assistant town attorney for Kearny since 1997 and is also currently a special counsel for Bayonne.
However, it is the attachment Davie has for the West Hudson area that has inspired him to continue to live and practice in that area.
“I’ve been blessed because I’ve been able to represent my hometown,” Davie said. “I love walking down ‘the [Kearny] Avenue’ and being able to get fish and chips, or Columbian food, or maybe Mexican. This town has been blessed with good government as well. I’ve always loved this town.”
As for the future, Davie hopes to continue his practice and serve his community.
“I’ve been blessed,” Davie said. “I can’t think of doing anything else. I love what I
do.”
The law offices of Cifelli and Davie are located at 334 Harrison Ave., Harrison. For more information, or to contact Kenneth Davie, call 973-482-1180.
