Former Prosecutor. Certified Trial Attorney.
With over three decades of New Jersey courtroom experience, the perspective of a former Morris County prosecutor, and the credibility of an NJ Supreme Court Certified Criminal Trial Attorney since 1995, James M. Porfido brings strategic counsel to clients facing serious criminal charges.
Today, he serves as Of Counsel at Einhorn Barbarito, teaches Persuasion and Advocacy at Seton Hall Law School, and is the author of “Unequal Justice: The Search for Truth to Balance the Scales.”
MEET YOUR counselor
James M. Porfido, Esq.
James M. Porfido has spent his career in New Jersey courtrooms, first as an Assistant Prosecutor for Morris County, then in private practice as a Certified Criminal Trial Attorney, and today as Of Counsel to Einhorn.
He provides strategic counsel and expert analysis on serious criminal matters throughout New Jersey, refers cases to Einhorn for representation, and teaches the next generation of advocates at Seton Hall Law School.
James M. Porfido
From Morris County Prosecutor to Of Counsel at Einhorn Barbarito
- 2025 — Present
Of Counsel, Einhorn, Barbarito, Frost, Botwinick, Nunn & Musmanno, PC
- — Strategic counsel and expert analysis on serious NJ criminal matters
- — Coordinated counselling through the firm's criminal defense team
- 2002 — Present
Founder, Law Office of James M. Porfido
- — Lead counsel and consultation on serious criminal matters
- — Municipal prosecutor and public defender appointments
- — Direct, partner-level engagement with every client
- 1997 — 2002
Fullerton and Porfido, P.A., Succasunna N — Partner
- — Partner in private general practice
- — Criminal defense, civil litigation, real estate
- — Trusts, estates, and complex transactional work
- 1988 — 1997
Morris County Prosecutor's Office — Assistant Prosecutor
- — Sex Crimes & Child Abuse Unit
- — Vehicular Homicide & Assault by Auto — lead trial counsel
- — Major Crimes & Homicide
- — Domestic Violence, Juvenile Delinquency & Trial Units
- — Federal Intern for Hon. Clarkson S. Fisher, U.S. District Court Trenton
Certified by the NJ Supreme Court since 1995
James M. Porfido’s professional standing is built on decades of trial work, legal service, and continued involvement in the profession and the community.
<2%
NJ attorneys with Criminal Trial Certification
35+
years certified
8
years as Morris County Assistant Prosecutor
Since 2005
Super Lawyer in Criminal Law
Personal
Education
- University of Bridgeport School of Law (now Quinnipiac University School of Law) — J.D., 1988
- Seton Hall University — Major: Political Science, B.A., 1985
Admission
Bar Admissions
- Certified Criminal Trial Attorney by the Supreme Court of New Jersey since 1995
- Admitted to practice in New Jersey
- Admitted to practice before the U.S. District Court, District of New Jersey
Affiliations
Community Involvement
- Vice President, Bernardsville Law Enforcement Foundation
- Municipal Public Defender — Mountain Lakes & Denville (2001–Present)
- Board of Trustees, New Jersey Crime Victims' Law Center, 1999–Present
- Board of Trustees, Goryeb Children's Hospital at Morristown Medical Center, Pediatric Philanthropic Counsel, 2008–Present
- Teresa G. Wright Promise Foundation, 1997–2017
- Board of Directors, D.A.R.E. New Jersey, 2002–2017
- Board of Trustees, Hope House, Division of Catholic Charities, 1997–2019
- Jersey Battered Women's Legal Advocacy Program
Honors
Honors & Awards
- The Best Lawyers in America, Criminal Defense: General Practice, 2025–2026
- Thomson Reuters, New Jersey Super Lawyers — Criminal Law, 2006–2026
- Policemen's Benevolent Association Service Award
- Fraternal Order of Police Achievement Award
- Appreciation Award, Essex Sheriff's Superior Officers Lodge 138, 2003
- Dedication and Service Award, New Jersey Coalition of Crime Victims
Affiliations
Professional Affiliations
- Morris County Bar Association — Member; Current Emeritus Trustee and Past Trustee
- New Jersey State Bar Association — Criminal Law Section, Sports and Entertainment Law Section
- New Jersey Certified Criminal Trial Attorney Association — Member, 1995–Present
- National District Attorneys Association — Member, 1989–1997
- National Italian American Bar Association — Member
- Animal Legal Defense Fund
- Investigator, New Jersey Supreme Court District X Ethics Committee (Morris / Sussex Vicinage)
- Legislative Aide to Senator Anthony Bucco
- Legislative Aide to Senator Robert Martin
Beyond the Practice
Author, Adjunct Law Professor, Legal Commentator
James M. Porfido is the author of Unequal Justice: The Search for Truth to Balance the Scales, which examines systemic issues in the criminal justice system and challenges readers to confront the inequalities they perpetuate. The book draws on his years as a Morris County prosecutor and three decades of NJ criminal defense work.
He is an Adjunct Law Professor of Persuasion and Advocacy at Seton Hall Law School, where he teaches the next generation of trial attorneys. He frequently speaks at continuing legal education programs, symposiums, and seminars on criminal trial topics. He has appeared as a legal analyst on Court TV and In Session, and provides pro bono representation to crime victims through the New Jersey Crime Victim Law Center.
Case Studies
Real Case Outcomes for Real Clients
Every criminal case is different, but experience matters. James M. Porfido has handled a wide range of matters across New Jersey courts and works to pursue the strongest possible outcome based on the facts, the law, and the circumstances of each client.