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James A. Abate
About James
Biography
James A. Abate is a partner with Aiello Harris Abate Law Group. Mr. Abate practice is focused in Criminal Law, DWI Defense, Domestic Violence and Appelate practice. Mr. Abate is certified as an instructor in the adminstration of Standardized Field Sobrierty Testing (SFST) and Drug Recognition Evaluator (DRE) tests. Mr. Abate recently moderated the symposium "Emerging From The Pandemic" which featured a whos who of Judges, Prosecutors and Defense Counsel. Mr. Abate is a member of the Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey (ACDLNJ), National College for DWI Defense and Mr. Abate is the Legislative Chair for the New Jersey Bar Association Municipal Court Practice Section.
Mr. Abate represents individuals from all walks of life including Actors, Athletes and Politicians. Mr. Abate succesfully defended New York Giants corner back Kamrin Moore securing dismissal of a Temporary Restraining Order and Criminal charges securing his path for removal from the commisioners exempt list.
Mr. Abate's reported cases include the seminal Domestic Violence case of R.G. v. R.G. and State v. Thompson. Mr. Abate has been featured in various media including ESPN, , Bleacher Report, CNN, The New York Post, NJ.Com and the blog Advocacy for Fairness in Sports. Mr. Abate was a candidate for New Jersey State Senate in the 2022 election.
Mr. Abate is rated by Super Lawyers Magazine as one of the preeminent defense lawyers for DWI Defense and Domestic Violence litigation. Mr. Abate holds a rating of 10.0 from Avvo- the highest ranking posible, 5.0 from Findlaw, and 4.5 from Google. You can learn further about Mr. Abate and his team from his over 100 reviews from prior clients.
Aiello Harris Abate Law Group is a full service firm and handles cases in Criminal Law, Employment Law, Personal Injury, Family Law, Workers Compensation and Appelate Practice.
Practice Areas
4
Practice Areas
Fees and Rates
Cost
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
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Chat withLicenses
Licensed in New Jersey for 24 years
State: New Jersey
Acquired: 2002
No misconduct found
Licensed in New York for 25 years
State: New York
Acquired: 2000
No misconduct found
Location
Aiello Harris Abate Law Group, P.C.
82 East Main Street, Hamon Corporate Building, Somerville, NJ, 08876
Aiello Harris Abate Law Group, PC
501 Watchung Avenue, Watchung, NJ, 07069
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James A. Abate's Reviews
Avvo Review Score
52 Client Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (52)
Refine reviews to match your needs. Use the filters to quickly surface reviews that align with your case or priorities.
Practice Areas
What Clients Mention
Case Results (34)
Advocacy (29)
Recommendation (19)
Professionalism (18)
Practice Area Knowledge (15)
Responsiveness (12)
Staff & Support (11)
General Knowledge (10)
Character & Conduct (9)
Communication Style (9)
Cost of Services (6)
Trustworthiness (6)
Compassion (4)
Punctuality (3)
Free Consultations (2)
Showing 1 - 5 of 52 reviews
Posted by chandra | December 09, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Skilled Lawyer - James A
Excellent skilled lawyer. James was instrumental in reducing a Misdemeanor to an ordinance while quickly reviewing Discovery. Would recommend him highly.
Posted by Course | June 25, 2025 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Got things done - highly recommended
With out getting in too much details about the case, he is a very good Criminal Lawyer and both prosecutors and judges know and respect him. He got things done where other lawyers could not even contemplate suggesting. He is highly recommended
Posted by Mike | July 07, 2022 | Hired Attorney
Amazing
Hands down best experience I've dealt with kept me up to date on everything that was going on and explained everything thoroughly so I would understand what was going on
Posted by Shenghan | July 07, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Immigration
Satisfying Service
Staff was friendly and responds to emails/concerns very quickly. Overall great communication/reminders. James is very knowledgeable and takes the time to explain everything to us non-native English speakers.
Posted by Chris | June 28, 2022 | Hired Attorney | Expungement
Excuses galore, poor communication, no follow through
DO NOT USE THIS FIRM UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. I can’t stress this enough. If I could give zero stars I would. 3 1/2 years and counting for an expungement. Started with Allie, I’m assuming is a para legal, receiving my paper work over 3 1/2 years ago. She sat on it for two months before starting anyth...
James Abate
Replied last July 05, 2022I spoke to this client and believe he will be ultimately satisfied with the result. This is an expungement that has been delayed, as so many have, by a combination of COVID restrictions and addition of the expedited expungement program and expungement of 100's of thousands of Marijuana cases. The case was presented in one county which refused to grant the expungement, we then filed in a second county without cost to the client because we did want to see client get his expungement. The issue in this case is unique. At the time we first began on the case, the expected wait was 8 months as state police are unable to handle the work load of records searches. One thing the client is correct about is the communications on my part have been poor. We maintain a fully staffed office of attorneys and paralegals dedicated to satisfying the client. In this case, I am the one who has failed to keep the client apprised, as I am personally handling this matter due to the legal intricacies. Most sincere apologies to the client. We will now return to getting this man his expungement, which is long overdue despite the impact of covid, state police backlogs and the unique legal intricacies of this case.
James A. Abate's Lawyer Endorsements
"James is a real fighter. If you hire him you have a lawyer that is going to make certain your rights are protected. I would feel comfortable recommending him to anyone that is looking for high quality representation."
"Mr. Abate is a highly experienced, skilled and knowledgeable attorney and effective advocate for his clients. I have read many of his informative answers to avvo questions and they clearly and consistently show his legal acumen, especially with criminal law. His client reviews and peer endorsements also show he is well liked and respected by his colleagues and his clients. I highly endorse Attorney Abate."
"Mr. Abate and his staff are truly dedicated to their clients. He is extremely knowledgeable and works very hard to achieve the best results possible. I endorse James Abate."
"I endorse this lawyer. I've read many dozens of his answers on AVVO and they are uniformly excellent. Mr. Abate is an excellent choice for a criminal defense matter."
"I highly recommend Mr. Abate. During the time that I have known and worked with him, he has been the consummate professional who is constantly zealously advocating for his clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. An excellent and knowledgeable attorney who really cares about clients."
"I endorse this lawyer. A well admired lawyer in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. He is a well respected member of the legal community. His comments are helpful and insightful."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. A brilliant and highly respected attorney in the legal community."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Ababte is a very active member in the AVVO community. His knowledge of the law is expressed clearly and consisely in the answers and advice he provides. A potential client would be well served by retaining Mr. Abate."
"I know James to be highly professional and familiar with all courts in New Jersey. He is friendly, knowledgeable and efficient. As a result, I endorse this lawyer."
"I endorse this lawyer. Mr. Abate is a distinguished well respected attorney in the community. He is a powerful advocate for his clients."
"Mr. Abate constantly provides excellent legal advice that not only benefit the asker of the question, but also fellow attorneys. Even though I have been an attorney for 23 years and even a judge and magistrate, I learn new aspects about the law from him every day."
"I endorse Attorney Abate. From his credentials Avvo, it is clear he is dedicated to serving those in need and his clients. It's rare that lawyers spend so much valuable time helping the community and striving for more and I applaud him for doing it to such a great level. Kudos."
"I sincerely endorse attorney Abate. He is extremely knowledgeable, proactive and respectful! I have read and continue to enjoy his legal expertise in various facets of law! Highly recommended! Superb attorney!"
"Mr. Abate is very knowledgeable and proficient in criminal law. Having interacted with Mr. Abate on several occasions, he is a professional and personable. I highly recommend him for your criminal matters."
"I endorse this lawyer. He is knowledgeable in his field of Criminal Law. His answers are accurate. His experience works to serve his clients again and again."
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Experience
Honors
2023
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, SuperLawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyer
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2015
Client's Choice, AVVO
2014
Best of New Jersey, The Italian Voice
2014
Clients Choice, AVVO
2013
Clients Choice, AVVO
1999
Trial Advocacy Award, Federal Bar Council
1999
Constitutional Law, American Jurisprudence
1999
Legal Writting, American Jurisprudence
1999
Civil Procedure, American Jurisprudence
1999
Richardson Scholar, Brooklyn Law School
N/A
Moot Court, Cornelius T. Wickersham Award
N/A
Scholarship, Ruth Markoff Award
Work Experience
2023 - Present
Partner, Aiello Harris Abate Law Group, P.C.
2008 - 2023
Owner, Law Offices of James A. Abate
2005 - 2008
Of Counsel, Lester Schwab Katz & Dwyer, LLP
2001 - 2005
Senior Associate, Clausen Miller, PC
1999 - 2001
Associate, Heidell, Pittoni, Murphy & Bach, LLP
1998 - 1999
Extern, United States Attorneys Office Eastern District Of New York
1998 - 1999
Judicial Extern, The Honorable David Trager, U.S. District Court Judge at United States District Court, Eastern District of New York
Associations
2014 - Present
Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New JerseyMunicipal Court Practice Committee
2013 - Present
Criminal / Municipal Practice- Somerset County Bar AssociationCommittee Member
2013 - Present
National College of DUI DefenseGeneral Member
2012 - Present
Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New JerseyMember
2008 - Present
New Jersey Bar Association Municipal Court Practice SectionBoard of Directors
2008 - Present
New Jersey Bar AssociationMember
2011 - 2014
Green Brook Little LeagueBoard of Directors
Sample of Legal Cases
State v. Thompson 226 A.3d 961 (2020) 462 N.J. Super. 370
Affirmed
Galli v. Galli
Reversed in client's favor.
Mt. Sinai v. Mann v. Chubb
Plaintiff verdict
American Motorist Ins. Co. v. Morris Goldman Real Estate Corp., 277 F.Supp.2d 304 (S.D.N.Y. 2003)
Plaintiff's verdict
Murrell v. Apfel
Plaintiff's verdict
Education
1999
Brooklyn Law School
JD - Juris Doctor
1996
City University of New York, Brooklyn College
B.F.A
Speaking Engagements
2023
New Jersey Bar Association
Emerging from the Pandemic
2023
New Jersey Bar Association
Emerging from the Pandemic
2016
Vincent J Apruzzese Mock Trial Competition
Judge
2016
Subcommittee on Judicial Independence
The Playbook for Patronage
2016
Law Day Community Forum
Domestic Violence
2016
Education Seminar
What to do when arrested for DWI
2015
Vincent J. Apruzzee Mock Trial Competition
Judge
2007
Litigation Techniques Conference
Litigation Techniques
Publications
2013
Speak Easy Legal Marketing
Charged with a DWI? A helpful guide.
2005
CM Report of New York Decisions
Maine's Highest Court Rejects Gross Negligence as an Exception to Waiver of Subrogation Provision in a Contract
2004
2004
CM Report of Recent New York Decisions
Non Party Subsequent Remedial Repairs Held Admissable in Products Liability Action
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers
Legal Guides
Legal Answers
Q&A
Warrant for not showing up to court DUI NJ
29 Jan 2026
Q&A
What is the cost of representation for passing a school bus; what are the chances of reduced penalty
12 Jan 2026
Q&A
How long does it take to expunge my record?
03 Jan 2026