“Life made me a warrior, and now I go to battle for my clients.”

Marissa Keddis started her own law firm so that she could provide her clients with the same respect her father deserved.

She currently serves as a Trustee of the Atlantic County Bar Association.

Marissa was also appointed by the New Jersey Supreme Court to serve as the Chair of the New Jersey Board of Bar Examiner’s Committee on Character. As part of her duties, she evaluates the character and fitness of individuals applying to be licensed attorneys in New Jersey.

In addition, Marissa was appointed by the New Jersey Supreme Court to serve on the District I Ethics Committee. In her capacity, Marissa investigates ethics complaints filed by members of the public against attorneys within her district.

Personal History:

Marissa Keddis was born in Brooklyn, New York and prides herself on being the first person in her family to graduate from college. She relates to her clients, and their families, on a very personal level.

During her senior year of high school, her father, “Jimmy,” served time in federal prison for financial crimes. Despite this difficult separation, he watched her graduate with over a 4.0 GPA, although still wearing his ankle monitoring bracelet.

“His arrest was all over the newspapers at the time. I was bullied by some kids in school. It made me stronger and inspired me to be an attorney. I saw how much he trusted his attorney’s advice. That seemed very powerful to an ambitious young girl.”

Always a fighter, Marissa went to Bryn Mawr College over the objection of her parents, who did not want her to attend college. While at Bryn Mawr, Marissa discovered her passion for social justice. She co-founded an after-school “Girl Empowerment” program at a charter school in West Philadelphia and ran Girl Scout workshops on campus.

Marissa attended Seton Hall Law School on a Presidential Scholarship, graduating in 2009. While in law school, Marissa volunteered with the International Human Rights Clinic and was a member of the Legislative Journal.

Marissa then clerked for a judge in Newark, New Jersey before beginning her career in civil litigation. Sadly, after a long battle with his health, her father was buried just three days before her first job interview. Despite her grief, Marissa knew her father would not want her to lose the opportunity. She nailed the interview, wearing the same grey suit that she had worn to his funeral.

After practicing for several years, Marissa stepped away from the law while raising her three young sons. During that time, she ran a photography business and became a nationally published photographer. She also started a women’s networking group in her studio, which boasted over one hundred active members.

She later moved to Margate, where she re-entered the legal field. She practiced criminal defense with a local firm before going out on her own.

After appearing in court hundreds of times, and always receiving rave reviews from clients, she decided to open her own law firm.

Marissa is married to a local physician. She enjoys spending time at the beach with her family.

Advocacy Work:

Marissa is the founder of Cycle Breaking Moms LLC. She advocates for the mental and physical well-being of mothers who are breaking the cycles of child abuse and domestic violence.

As part of her advocacy work, Marissa was featured at Atlantic County Law Day, leading local attorneys and judges in stress-reduction techniques for stronger mental health in the legal field. She obtained her trauma-informed yoga teacher certification in furtherance of her advocacy work.

Marissa draws her strength and inspiration from her grandmothers. Her paternal grandmother, Angelina, was not allowed to attend school and was forced into an arranged marriage. Her maternal grandmother, Mary, was a cycle breaker who chose sobriety as an older adult. Mary’s sobriety provided Marissa with treasured stability while growing up.

“My life has given me the superpower of relating to anyone. I was the kid falling asleep in class, because I was up late worried about domestic violence happening between my parents. School kept me grounded and gave me confidence. I’m grateful for my experiences, because they made me the strong woman that I am today.“