Joseph M. Pacella

PRO

Joseph M. Pacella

4.9
Rating: 10.0

Licensed for 28 years

Criminal defense Lawyer at Springfield, MA
Practice Areas: Criminal Defense, DUI & DWI, Drug Crime, Litigation

73 Chestnut Street, Rm. 100, Springfield, MA

Virtual Consultation Available

Free Consultation

About Joseph

Biography

Aggressive and Experienced Trial Attorney. Regular legal expert on Western Mass News and other news outlets. Elected President of the Hampden County Bar Association in 2022 and 2012.

Defending Clients across Western and Central Massachusetts, including all college crimes and casino crimes.

I have tried and won numerous (over 100) OUI cases across Massachusetts.

Expert at search and seizure principles having argued and won hundreds of motions to suppress and/or dismiss on serious drug cases.

Practice Areas

4

Practice Areas

Criminal Defense 45%

All state and federal courts in Massachusetts.

45%
DUI and DWI 20%

20%
Drug Crime 20%

20%
Litigation 15%

All state and federal courts in Massachusetts.

15%

Fees and Rates

Cost

Free Consultation

$0 first 30 minutes


Payment Methods

  • Cash
  • Check
  • Credit Card

Awards

Distinguished Peer Review Rating
Client's Choice
Client's Choice
2020 2019 2018
...
+ 2

Licenses

Licensed in Massachusetts for 28 years

State: Massachusetts

Acquired: 1997

Active

No misconduct found

Location

Law Offices of Joseph M. Pacella

73 Chestnut Street, Rm. 100, Springfield, MA, 01103

josephmpacellaspringfield.com/

Law Offices of Joseph M. Pacella

18 Severn Street, Longmeadow, MA, 01106

josephmpacellaspringfield.com/

Online Presence

Other places you can find Joseph online.

Joseph M. Pacella's Reviews

Avvo Review Score

4.9 /5.0

52 Client Reviews

Posted by anonymous | January 8, 2025 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

I’d highly recommended Attorney Pacella!

Attorney Pacella was exceptional! After my incident, I called several lawyers in the area to compare pricing and gauge my comfort level during the initial consultation. From my very first phone call with Joe, I knew he was the right choice to help me achieve a not guilty verdict. He was reasonably... priced, available to meet right away, and made me feel completely at ease. Joe is funny, down-to-earth, and personable, which really helps when in such a stressful situation. He was confident about the outcome of my case, and that confidence helped alleviate much of my anxiety, especially since I had never been in legal trouble before. Joe was always willing to take my calls, patiently answer my questions, and explain the legal process to me in a way that reduced my fears about the charges and the upcoming trial. After eight long months of court dates and waiting, we finally entered the courtroom—and Joe was a bulldog! His ability to pick apart the discrepancies in my case was nothing short of impressive. I had to work hard to keep a straight face during the trial because he was so good at arguing my case, and I was so relieved to have him defending me rather than the other way around. From the moment he began speaking, I knew I had nothing to worry about. Joe’s preparation and skill in the courtroom left no doubt in my mind that I would walk out with a not guilty verdict—and I did! I highly recommend Attorney Pacella. He is honest, strategic, and will fight for you every step of the way. Getting in trouble with the law is terrifying, but having Joe as my lawyer made the whole process manageable.

Posted by anonymous | November 16, 2021 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Amazing Defense Attorney

Joe did a great job representing my son. He worked hard and believed in my son's innocence. He was able to get all charges dismissed and justice served. It was a long three years but with Joe's expertise and his ability to sense when something isn't right, he was able to save my son, No words will ...ever express enough gratitude. Joe will keep digging until he finds the truth,

Posted by Kerry | November 8, 2021 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Excellent Attorney

Attorney Pacella listened, was always available and responsive, and worked with our family to defend against false allegations. If you need an attorney you can count on who will work tirelessly on your behalf, Attorney Pacella is your man.

Posted by Ricardo | March 10, 2021 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Complaint for protection from harassment

I hired the services of the lawyer joshep pacella and he immediately went to work on the case in an effective way I was accused of sexual harassment and a few other lies but the lawyer gathered all the necessary information to clarify the case and thank God everything is fine now it was clarified tha...t he was not guilty thanks lawyer joshep pacella

Posted by Eddie | February 2, 2021 | Hired Attorney

This review is from a person who hired this attorney.

Awesome Attorney!

Atty Pacella helped me through a difficult time in my life, the results were better than I could have expected. He is a true professional , he was very interested in the outcome for me. I would recommend him to anyone with a legal issue.

See All Client Reviews

Joseph M. Pacella's Lawyer Endorsements

Endorse Joseph
Craig William Kaylor headshot
Craig Kaylor

Litigation lawyer | Mar 27

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Atty. Pacella was hired by my company where I was the general counsel on numerous occasions. He handled a wide variety of matters both for the company and for colleagues of mine in personal matters regarding criminal law, criminal and civil litigation, contracts and corporate matters and real estate. Joe is unique as a lawyer that can truly do it all. Working in-house my whole career, he is my first call when I need outside counsel."

Katharine A. Pacella headshot
Katharine Pacella

Criminal defense lawyer | Nov 19

Relationship: Worked together on matter

"Joe is extremely smart and aggressive in defense of his clients. His strategy is second to none and as a former President of the Hampden County Bar Association and former assistant DA, he has great connections within the court system."

Randy J Milou Jr headshot
Randy Milou

Criminal defense lawyer | Sep 26

Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community

"Joe is a highly experienced lawyer in Hampden County."

View All Endorsements

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This attorney hasn't created any attorney endorsements recently on Avvo.

Experience

Rating:  10.0 (Superb)

Honors

2012

Super Lawyers - Rising Stars, Boston Magazine

2012

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2011

Super Lawyers - Rising Stars, Boston Magazine

2011

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2010

Super Lawyers - Rising Stars, Boston Magazine

2010

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2008

Super Lawyers - Rising Stars, Boston Magazine

2008

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2007

"Forty Under Forty" Most Influential, Business West

2007

Super Lawyers - Rising Stars, Boston Magazine

2007

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2006

Super Lawyer - Rising Stars, Boston Magazine

2006

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2005

Super Lawyers - Rising Stars, Boston Magazine

2005

Rising Star, Super Lawyers

2003

Big Brother of the Year, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Hampden County

Work Experience

2012 - Present

Founder, Law Office of Joseph M. Pacella

1999 - 2012

Partner, Egan, Flanagan & Cohen, PC

1997 - 1999

Assistant District Attorney, Northwestern District Attorney

Associations

2001 - Present

Hampden County Bar Association

Board of Directors

1997 - Present

Hampden County Bar Association

Member

2021 - 2022

Hampden County Bar Association

President

2020 - 2021

Hampden County Bar Association

President-Elect

2016 - 2018

Joint Bar Committee

Member

2013 - 2014

Federal Bar Association (Massachusetts chapter)

Member

2012 - 2016

Hampden County Lawyers for Justice, Inc.

Board of Directors

2012 - 2013

Hampden County Bar Association

President

2012 - 2013

Massachusetts Bar Association

House of Delegates Member

2011 - 2012

Hampden County Bar Association

President-Elect

2004 - 2004

Western Massachusetts Law Tribune

Advisory Board

2004 - 2012

Springfield Library & Museums Association

Physical Plant Committee

2004 - 2011

Mont Marie Child Care Center, Inc.

Board of Directors

2002 - 2002

Hampden County Bar Association

Secretary

2002 - 2014

Massachusetts Bar Association

Member

2002 - 2002

Hampden County Bar Association, New Lawyers Section

Chair

1999 - 2002

Hampden County Bar Advocates, Inc.

Bar Advocate

1999 - 2001

Massachusetts Academy of Trial Attorneys

Member

1999 - 2016

Hampshire County Bar Advocates, Inc.

Bar Advocate

1999 - 2001

American Bar Association

Member

1997 - 2015

Longmeadow Youth Football Association

Board of Directors

1997 - 2019

Hampshire County Bar Association

Member

Sample of Legal Cases

Pauze, et al. v. Cumberland Farms

$650,000 for the Plaintiffs with interest (reduced on remittitur to $511,000 with interest)

Aggravated Rape of a Minor

Not Guilty

Indescent Assault and Battery on a Minor

Dismissed at Trial

Dog Bite

$265,000

Subdivision Appeal

Summary Judgment for Developer

See More Legal Cases

Education

1997

St John's University School of Law

JD - Juris Doctor

1996

Boston College Law School

Visiting Student

1994

Colgate University

BA - Bachelor of Arts

Speaking Engagements

2003

Pitfalls in Consumer Real Estate Transactions

Chapter 93A

2003

Handling Depositions with Confidence

Depositions

Publications

2003

Western Massachusetts Law Tribune OUI Conviction - A Scar for Life

Languages

English

Spanish

Activity

Avvo Rating

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Avvo Rating Levels
10.0 - 9.0 Superb8.9 - 8.0 Excellent7.9 - 7.0 Very Good6.9 - 6.0 Good5.9 - 5.0 Average4.9 - 4.0 Concern3.9 - 3.0 Caution2.9 - 2.0 Strong Caution1.9 - 1.0 Extreme Caution