He received a Juris Doctor from Emory University School of Law in 1991.

[3] He began his legal career as a law clerk to Judge Seymour Margulies of the New Jersey Superior Court in Hudson County from 1991 to 1992.

From 1992 to 2006 and in 2014, he worked at Chasan, Leyner & Lamparello, P.C., in Secaucus, New Jersey, first as an associate, and later as a partner, where he practiced general litigation in state and federal courts.

President Biden nominated Neals to the seat vacated by Judge Bill Martini, who assumed senior status on February 10, 2015.

[12] On June 7, 2021, the United States Senate invoked cloture on Neals' nomination by a 66–28 vote.