James Porfido, a Certified Criminal Trial Attorney by the New Jersey Supreme Court, is Of Counsel in the firm’s Criminal Practice Group, and joins Einhorn Barbarito following 24 years in private practice at James M. Porfido Law in Morris County and numerous positions with the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
Well known in Morris County and throughout the state, James established a private practice in New Jersey in 2002 focused on criminal defense, residential and commercial real estate transactions and civil litigation. While in private practice, James served as Municipal Prosecutor for Bedminster, Bernardsville and Peapack Gladstone and as Public Defender in criminal matters before Denville Municipal Court and Mountain Lakes Municipal Court.
Before launching his own practice, James practiced criminal, civil, trusts, estates and real estate law in Succasunna with Fullerton and Porfido, P.A., practicing alongside his uncle.
Prior to going into private practice, James served as an Assistant Prosecutor in the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office from 1989-1997, as lead trial attorney on many high profile matters and major crimes that captured attention from news outlets. Specifically, James handled prosecutions as Chief of the Sex Crimes & Child Abuse Unit, Chief of the Major Crimes Vehicular Homicide Unit, and Domestic Violence, Juvenile Delinquency & Trial Units.
With a significant background in high profile crimes, James has appeared on news outlets to offer analysis on cases, including numerous programs on Court TV and In Session. Additionally, he has served as an on air commentator and New Jersey analyst on location for homicide trials, as well as robberies and kidnapping cases.
James is a professor of advocacy and persuasion at Seton Hall Law School, and a frequent speaker on criminal trial topics for the Institute of Continuing Legal Education (ICLE) as well as symposiums and seminars with Seton Hall University Law School and the New Jersey Association for Justice.
On a pro bono basis, he provides representation to crime victims through the New Jersey Crime Victim Law Center.
After earning his J.D. from the University of Bridgeport School of Law, now Quinnipiac College School of Law, James served as a judicial clerk to the Honorable Ronald B. Graves, J.A.D. (Retired) in the Morris/Sussex County Superior Court Vicinage. While attending law school, he held several positions including as legal intern at the law school’s Civil Clinic; federal clerk to the Honorable Clarkson S. Fisher, Senior Judge in the U.S. District Court in Trenton; a summer associate at two Morris County law firms; and as a congressional intern to Congressman Dean A. Gallo, Congressional District 11. He earned his B.A. in political science from Seton Hall University.
Honors & Accolades
- The Best Lawyers in America®
- Criminal Defense: General Practice, 2025
- Thomson Reuters, New Jersey Super Lawyers: 2008-2024
- New Jersey Coalition of Crime Victims Dedication and Service Award
- Policemen’s Benevolent Association Service Award
- Fraternal Order of Police Achievement Award
- Appreciation Award Essex Sheriff’s Superior Officers Lodge 138: 2003
Professional Affiliations
- Morris County Bar Association, Member
- Current Emeritus Trustee, Past Trustee
- New Jersey State Bar Association, Member
- Criminal Law Section, Sports and Entertainment Law Section
- Animal Legal Defense Fund
- National Italian American Bar Association, Member
- National District Attorneys Association, Member, 1989-1997
- New Jersey Certified Criminal Trial Attorney Association, Member, 1995-Present
- Investigator, District X Ethics Morris / Sussex Vicinage 1997-2002/2004-2005
- Legislative Aide, Senator Anthony Bucco, New Jersey Legislative District 25 (2000 to 2002)
- Legislative Aide, Senator Robert Martin New Jersey Legislative District 26 (2003 to 2004)
- Investigator, New Jersey Supreme Court District X Ethics Committee (2001-2006)
Community Involvement
- Vice President, Bernardsville Law Enforcement Foundation
- 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
Articles and Presentations
- Professor, Seton Hall Law School, Advocacy and Persuasion, Winter Session 2023