Overall Rating
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
This is an aggregated review score of Avvo and Lawyers.com reviews.
4.9 /5.0
23 Client Reviews
$ 400-450 per hour
PRO
Richard Portale
also known as Richard A. Portale
Virtual Consultation Available
About Richard
Biography
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 (). 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.
NYC & Westchester Criminal Attorney Richard A. Portale - "Wears the stripes, so you won’t have to!"
Practice Areas
7
Practice Areas
Appeals
16%
12 years | 20 cases
Criminal Defense
16%
12 years | 5,000 cases
DUI and DWI
16%
12 years | 1,000 cases
Federal Crime
16%
12 years | 20 cases
Fees and Rates
Cost
Hourly Rates
Payment Methods
- Cash
- Check
- Credit Card
Awards
2015 2014
Licenses
Licensed in New York for 27 years
State: New York
Acquired: 1999
No misconduct found
Location
Gallery
Online Presence
Other places you can find Richard online.
Richard Portale's Reviews
Filter Avvo Reviews (19)
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Practice Areas
Showing 1 - 4 of 4 reviews | Communication Style
Posted by anonymous | March 27, 2015 | Criminal Defense
Charges Dismissed!!
I would like to take some time to show my gratitude towards Richard a. Portale. I was a client of his for just about a year. A horrifying year of my life. He was the first of 3 lawyers I met with. Right off the bat I knew Mr. Portale was a great fit for me and my family. He made us feel comfortable a...
Posted by Michele | March 26, 2015 | Criminal Defense
Thankful!
Everyone makes mistakes and unfortunately I was one of them. I had been hanging out with the wrong people at the time. My ex-significant other (father of my child) was not the best person to be around. I was charged with crimes that had nothing to do with me but with my ex-SO. He blamed me! I did no...
Posted by Greg | April 02, 2014 | Lawsuits & Disputes
Worth the Money!
I have used Rich several times and could not have been happier with the results each time. He is extremely knowledgeable and always kept me in the loop as to where my cases stood. His preparation and approach put me at ease and he delivered the results I was hoping to get.
Posted by anonymous | October 24, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
The ABSOLUTE worse!
I can go on and on about this unprofessional egocentric attorney. Mr.portale was paid in full to represent me in my case and did absolutely NOTHING for 8 months! He pushed court date after court date to the point the prosecutor was left wondering what is even going on! He was IMPOSSIBLE to get ahold ...
Richard Portale's Lawyer Endorsements
"I endorse this lawyer."
"Can't emphasize the word excellent enough when it comes to Rich's criminal defense work. One of the best."
"Great lawyer and man!"
Hanna Shoshany
Criminal defense lawyer
Anthony Nigro
Probate lawyer
Robert Schuster
Criminal defense lawyer
Experience
Honors
2025
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2024
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Super Lawyer, Super Lawyers
2018
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers
2017
Memeber, National College for DUI Defense
2017
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers
2016
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers
2015
Top 100 Trial Lawyers, National Trial Lawyers
2005
National Leadership Award, National Republican Congressional Committee
N/A
Client Champion Award, Martindale-Hubbell
Work Experience
2004 - Present
Principal, Law Offices of Richard A. Portale, P.C.
1900 - Present
Partner, Portale Randazzo LLP
2012 - 2014
Senior Criminal Trial Attorney, Gaines, Novick, Ponzini, et al
2009 - 2012
Partner, Pappalardo & Pappalardo, LLP
2003 - 2004
Associate, Duffy, Duffy & Burdo, LLP
1998 - 2003
Assistant District Attorney, Westchester County District Attorney's Office
1990 - 1990
Clerk, Honorable Peter Broderick, Niagara County Court Judge
Associations
2015 - Present
Arch Angel BlueBoard Member
2013 - Present
Federal Defenders
1998 - Present
New York State Bar Association (Criminal Law Section)
1998 - Present
Westchester County Bar Association
NYS Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
NY State Trial Lawyers Association
Association of Trial Lawyers of America
Columbian Lawyers Association
Sample of Legal Cases
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
People v. Patrick Smith
Hung Jury
Education
1997
Cleveland State University - Marshall College of Law
JD - Juris Doctor
1997
John Marshall School of Law
JD
1994
University of Buffalo
BS
1994
University of Buffalo
BA - Bachelor of Arts
Speaking Engagements
2002
Operation Safe Smiles
Autombile Presumption in Drug and Gun Arrests
Languages
English
Activity
Legal Answers