After graduating Asbury Park High School in 1942, the Honorable James M. Coleman, Jr. joined the Army Air Force from 1943 until 1945 and served in Italy. He then furthered his education graduating from Dartmouth College in 1948, and Cornell Law School in 1951.

The Honorable James M. Coleman, Jr. has an extensive career background. Starting his career as Attorney for the Asbury park Zoning Board in 1953, James Coleman, Jr. proceeded on to Asbury Park City Council in 1957. He served on the Asbury Park Housing Authority Board from 1954 to 1965 where he was Chairman for six years. He then moved on to become a Monmouth County Assemblyman in 1965, which lead to Attorney for Asbury Park in 1965. James Coleman Jr. was also an Attorney for the Wall Township Board of Adjustment for five years, and an Attorney for the Bayshore Outfall Authority for three years. He then served as Monmouth County Prosecutor in 1972 and Reviser of Statures NJ Legislatures from 1977 until 1980. Ultimately, he became a NJ Superior Court Judge from 1980 until 1987.

James M. Coleman, Jr.''s community involvement consists of being a member of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity, Phi Delta PH Legal Fraternity, in addition to being a member of the Monmouth Bar from 1952 until 2002 and Trustee of Middletown Public Library from 2001 to present.

The Honorable James M. Coleman, Jr. resides in New Jersey with his wife Judith Stanley Coleman whom he married in 2001. He is the father of six children and the grandfather of seven.

Personal quotation: "Everything in Moderation"