Matthew J. Troiano

Partner and Chair of the Criminal Practice Group at Einhorn Barbarito, Matthew James Troiano is a highly experienced trial lawyer in the field of criminal law and procedure and brings a knowledge of the innerworkings of the criminal justice system from his experiences in both public and private practice. Matt joined Einhorn Barbarito in 2018 after a lengthy career as an assistant prosecutor in Hudson and Morris Counties, including multiple supervisory positions of significant importance, culminating with his assignment as a Chief Assistant Prosecutor of the Tactical Division for the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.

During his years with Einhorn Barbarito, Matt has developed a well-rounded practice of defending criminal clients, both adult and juvenile, in our State’s Superior Courts and Municipal Courts, representing parties in Domestic Violence Restraining Order matters in Family Court, assisting law enforcement officers throughout the state in Internal Affairs matters, both administrative and criminal, and representing parents and caregivers in matters investigated and brought by the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP). Matt has also been called upon to provide litigation support for clients in other practice areas of the firm, providing his vast trial and litigation experience to assist in civil litigation matters. Matt has also represented clients before the Appellate Division and our State’s Supreme Court.

As defense counsel to his clients facing criminal, municipal, and juvenile charges, Matt has amassed a caseload of matters reaching most of the counties in the State. He has defended multiple homicide-related matters, including clients charged with Murder, Aggravated Manslaughter, Manslaughter, Death by Auto/Vehicular Homicide, Death by Vessel, and other similar death-related cases. He has also represented clients facing a range of sex crimes, including Aggravated Sexual Assault, Endangering the Welfare of a Child, Criminal Sexual Contact and Child Abuse. In addition to these very serious matters, Matt has represented clients charged with a variety of criminal conduct, such as assault, theft-related crimes, drug possession and distribution. Matt has also developed a voluminous municipal court practice, handling disorderly persons offenses and motor vehicle charges, including charges of Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and Driving While Intoxicated (DWI). His client base has been large and diverse, including adults, juveniles, teachers, parents, family members, caretakers, and law enforcement officers.

Due to his experiences as a prosecutor, Matt is able to provide his clients with legal guidance on very complex situations and bring great insight and a thorough understanding of every stage of the criminal justice process: from the initial investigation through the grand jury process, and ultimately, to trial. He has seen firsthand what it takes to build a successful case, can offer advice as to how to navigate the criminal process, and is uniquely situated to help clients who are the subject of an investigation, under arrest, or going through a serious ordeal that requires knowledge of the criminal justice system.

Matt has also affiliated himself with the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association (NJSPBA) and their Legal Protection Plan (LPP) and has provided representation to law enforcement officers facing both internal affairs/administrative investigations within their respective agencies, as well as criminal investigations, and the defense of criminal charges. Matt has accompanied his law enforcement clients on interviews throughout the State, with county and State officials, and defended clients at administrative hearings. He has also represented officers charged criminally with Official Misconduct and related crimes.

With Einhorn Barbarito’s long history of handling family law matters, Matt has sought to expand the firm’s involvement in Domestic Violence Restraining Order matters as well as matters involving the Division of Child Protection and Permanency (DCPP). Matt maintains an active practice of representing both Plaintiffs and Defendants in Restraining Order matters, often handling the Final Restraining Order bench trial. Matt has also provided representation in DCPP matters that are being actively investigated, and those that are in court due to a formal action brought by DCPP. These matters often require extensive litigation and typically involve a wide range of experts and specialties.

Matt’s trial experiences have led to his recognition by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a Certified Criminal Trial Attorney since 2013. Certified attorneys account for a small percentage of the attorneys in the State. In order to obtain the certification, a high level of experience, education, knowledge and skill in criminal law and procedure must be demonstrated, as well as recognition by their peers as having sufficient skills and reputation in the field of criminal law, Matt began trying cases in 2006 as an Assistant Prosecutor in Hudson County, and continued in Morris County as an Assistant Prosecutor, Supervising Assistant Prosecutor and Chief Assistant Prosecutor. As a Chief Assistant Prosecutor, Matt was responsible for the legal supervision of the Tactical Units within the Office, including the Major Crimes, Fire-Environmental, Sex Crimes-Child Endangerment, and Domestic Violence Units. During his career as a prosecutor, he successfully tried many jury trials, including murder, aggravated manslaughter, aggravated sexual assault, sexual assault, kidnapping, aggravated assault, arson, aggravated arson, robbery, burglary, weapons, drugs and domestic violence-related crimes. These experiences included successful prosecutions of many high-profile murder cases that were highly publicized.

In addition to his experiences as a successful trial attorney, Matthew has been responsible for the supervision and management of many prominent cases, including numerous death investigations, and he has worked collaboratively with attorneys and law enforcement professionals from multiple agencies. These experiences have required him to navigate high-profile situations, which often involve public scrutiny and extensive interaction with the media.

Matt has also been an Adjunct Professor of Appellate Advocacy at Seton Hall Law School in Newark, serving in that capacity for over ten years. He also spent 5 years as an Adjunct Professor at Essex County Community College, teaching various classes in the area of Criminal Justice. During his time as a prosecutor, he was a frequent instructor throughout the state in the area of criminal law and procedure, including teaching in the areas of Interview and Interrogation, Search and Seizure, Police Use of Force and Officer-Involved Shootings, Strategic Motion Practice, and Effective Death Investigations.

In both the public and private practice, Matt has served as a panelist or speaker at Seton Hall Law School, Rutgers University, the Criminal Law Section of the New Jersey State Bar Association, the New Jersey Criminal Law Institute, and the New Jersey Association for Justice. He has also appeared frequently on the CBS News true crime series “48 Hours,” both as a consultant and related to the cases he prosecuted, as well as other television programs such as Investigation Discovery: True Conviction, and Deadline: Crime with Tamron Hall. Matt has also been sought by the media for his commentary and insight on legal issues occurring throughout the country.

Upon graduating from law school, Matt served as a law clerk to the Honorable Michael R. Casale, J.S.C. (Ret.), Essex Vicinage.

Matt has had the honor of being recognized as part of the Best Lawyers in America (2022-2024), New Jersey Super Lawyers (2022), and New Leaders of the Bar – New Jersey Law Journal (2019). (See recognition methodology here.)

Certifications

• Certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey, Criminal Trial Attorney, 2013

Public Appearances & Presentations

• Presenter – 21-County, 21st Century Community Policing Project – Police Use of Force & Officer-Involved Shootings – April 2018
• Speaking Engagements – “Violence and Abuse in Adulthood” – Rutgers, School of Social Work – April 2018 & April 2016
• Appearance – 48 Hours (CBS): “Moment of Truth” – Featured for role in prosecution of State v. Virginia Vertetis – October 2017
• Panelist – How Changes in Technology and Privacy Laws Affect Criminal Investigation – Criminal Law Institute – November 2016 Panelist – Clergy Community Outreach Program – Domestic Violence – May 2016
• Panelist – Clergy Community Outreach Program – Police Use of Deadly Force – January 2016
• Appearance – Deadline: Crime with Tamron Hall (Investigation Discovery): “Witness to Murder” – Featured for role in prosecution of State v. Kashif Parvaiz – August 2015
• Panelist – Strategic Motion Practice – New Jersey Association for Justice – Boardwalk Seminar – May 2014
• Panelist – Updates to Criminal Law – New Jersey State Bar Association Criminal Law Section Meeting – New Jersey Law Center – October 2013
• Panelist – Public Corruption Legislation and the Importance of Mens Rea – Seton Hall Circuit Review Symposium – March 2013
• Panelist – Anti-Bullying Symposium (Students Against Violence Everywhere Are Us) – Seton Hall University School of Law – September 2012