Mr. Portale is known as a pit bull in the courtroom and at the negotiting table and he has the results to prove it.
While attending the University of Buffalo Mr. Portale majored in Interdisciplinary Studies, Classics and Philosophy of Law, and graduated with Honors. Throughout undergraduate studies, Mr. Portale played football, basketball and rugby. After receiving his Juris Doctor,, Mr. Portale moved to Westchester County, New York where he studied for the New York Bar Exam while he co-managed the re-election campaign of then Westchester County Attorney Jeanine Pirro. That year, Ms. Pirro received a greater percentage of votes than any candidate in Westchester County history.
In January 1998, Mr. Portale was hired as an Assistant District Attorney at The Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. During his almost five year tenure he was promoted through the ranks as follows: starting in the Motions and Appeals Unit, the Grand Jury Bureau, the Investigations Division and finally the Gangs Unit of the Investigations Bureau. Mr. Portale Left the DA’s Office and joined one of the most successful Plaintiff’s Medical Malpractice Firms in the nation – Duffy, Duffy & Burdo where he further honed his trial and litigation skills.
In addition to being appointed to the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit, Richard had also received the 2019 Litigator of the Year award from the American Institute of Trial Lawyers. Longing to return to his true passion criminal law, Mr. Portale pursued his dream and established his own practice in Westchester County, with a concentration in criminal matters. In May of 2009, Mr. Portale joined the firm of Pappalardo & Pappalardo as a partner. In January, 2012, Richard was named Senior Criminal Defense at the law firm of Gaines, Novick, Ponzini, Cossu & Venditti, LLP. In May, 2014, Mr. Portale resurrected the Law Offices of Richard A. Portale, and has become one of the busiest criminal practices in the tri-state area. Mr. Portale has tried over a hundred cases to verdict - with a success rate that is second to none. He is admitted to the Bar of New York State, the United States Federal District Courts for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and the United States Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.
Professional & Bar Association Memberships:
New York State Bar Association (Criminal Law Section)
Westchester County Bar Association
NYS Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
NY State Trial Lawyers Association
Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Columbian Lawyers Association
Other Interests: Following a 10 year career playing International Rugby League for the Unites States - Mr. Portale now and has for the past 5 years, served as Legal Counsel to the American National Rugby League. In addition, Mr. Portale and his business partner Danny Bull founded the Connecticut Wildcats - their very own Rugby Tteam (www.wildcatsrugby.com). The Wildcats have won 3 National Championships in their short five years of existence. Mr. Portale is also an avid Snowboarder - he enjoys dropping off cliffs and other risky maneuvers and is just learning to play the guitar. Please like him on Facebook, Follow on Twitter, and read his Blog: The Hanover County Courthouse.
Practice areas
Richard A. Portale has been practicing criminal law since '98. He started as a Westchester County DA, rising to the prestigious Investigations Bureau, where he tried Narcotics & Gangs felonies. SInce leaving the DA's office, Mr. Portale has tried scores of cases to verdict, with a record that is second to none in the tri-state area. Mr. Portale has successfully overcome video-taped and hand-written confessions, clients caught on video, DNA & fingerprint evidence in defense of his clients!
8 years, 5,000 cases
Mr. Portale has tried dozens of DWI cases to verdict. He knows DWI law inside and out and will obtain the best result possible for you.
8 years, 1,000 cases
Mr. Portale is admitted in the United States District Court for the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York and the United States Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit. Last Month alone, he won three (3) Federal motions for a downward departure.
8 years, 20 cases
Recently, Mr. Portale won a remand in the United States Court of Appeals for the DC Circuit on a Federal Conspiracy to distribute PCP conviction.
8 years, 20 cases
Languages spoken
English
State | Status | Acquired | Updated |
---|---|---|---|
NY | Currently registered | 1999 | 02/24/2022 |
Legal answers | 5 |
Legal guides | 0 |
Award name | Grantor | Date Granted |
---|---|---|
Super Lawyer | Super Lawyers | 2018 |
Top 100 Trial Lawyers | National Trial Lawyers | 2018 |
Memeber | National College for DUI Defense | 2017 |
Top 100 Trial Lawyers | National Trial Lawyers | 2017 |
Top 100 Trial Lawyers | National Trial Lawyers | 2016 |
Top 100 Trial Lawyers | National Trial Lawyers | 2015 |
National Leadership Award | National Republican Congressional Committee | 2005 |
Title | Company name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Principal | Law Offices of Richard A. Portale, P.C. | 2004 - Present |
Senior Criminal Trial Attorney | Gaines, Novick, Ponzini, et al | 2012 - 2014 |
Partner | Pappalardo & Pappalardo, LLP | 2009 - 2012 |
Associate | Duffy, Duffy & Burdo, LLP | 2003 - 2004 |
Assistant District Attorney | Westchester County District Attorney's Office | 1998 - 2003 |
Clerk | Honorable Peter Broderick, Niagara County Court Judge | 1990 - 1990 |
Association name | Position name | Duration |
---|---|---|
Arch Angel Blue | Board Member | 2015 - Present |
Federal Defenders | 2013 - Present | |
New York State Bar Association (Criminal Law Section) | 1998 - Present | |
Westchester County Bar Association | 1998 - Present | |
NYS Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers | N/A |
NY State Trial Lawyers Association | N/A | |
Association of Trial Lawyers of America | N/A | |
Columbian Lawyers Association | N/A |
School name | Degree | Graduated |
---|---|---|
Cleveland State University - Marshall College of Law | JD - Juris Doctor | 1997 |
University of Buffalo | BA - Bachelor of Arts | 1994 |
Conference name | Title | Date |
---|---|---|
Operation Safe Smiles | Autombile Presumption in Drug and Gun Arrests | 2002 |
Case name | Outcome |
---|---|
People v. Jaerue Williams | Acquitted |
People v. Cory Bell | Acquitted of all Felonies |
People v. Steven Brink | Acquitted of all Felonies |
People v. St, Victor | Acquittal on Manslaughter Charges |
People v. James Pileggi | Hung Jury |
Posted by Daniel
July 9, 2020
Posted by Kim Meier, Port Washington, NY
January 22, 2020
Posted by anonymous
March 19, 2019
Posted by anonymous
January 7, 2018
Posted by Marissa
December 20, 2017
Posted by Andrew
March 27, 2015
Posted by Romeo
March 27, 2015
Posted by anonymous
March 27, 2015
Posted by Tayshawn
March 26, 2015
Posted by Michele
March 26, 2015
Hanna Shoshany, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 24, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer.
Anthony Nigro, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 4, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Can't emphasize the word excellent enough when it comes to Rich's criminal defense work. One of the best.
Hanna Shoshany, Criminal defense Attorney on Oct 24, 2017
Relationship: Worked together on matter
I endorse this lawyer.
Anthony Nigro, Criminal defense Attorney on Jul 4, 2014
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Can't emphasize the word excellent enough when it comes to Rich's criminal defense work. One of the best.
Michael Palumbo, Criminal defense Attorney on Apr 24, 2012
Relationship: Fellow lawyer in community
Great lawyer and man!
Cash, Check, Credit Card