[1] Cavanaugh teaches at Seton Hall as a member of the law school's adjunct faculty.

[1] Cavanaugh began his legal career as a law clerk to Judge Francis W. Hayden in the New Jersey Superior Court (1972–73).

[1] He was then an Assistant Deputy Public Defender for the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender (1973–77) before entering private practice in various law firms in New Jersey (1977–92).

[1] Cavanaugh's private practice includes his partnership at the law firms of McCormack Petrolle & Matthews (1992), Whipple Ross & Hirsh (1987–92) and Tompkins McGuire & Wachenfeld (1984–87).

[1] Cavanaugh was confirmed by the United States Senate on July 21, 2000, and received commission on September 20, 2000.