ROCCO C. CIPPARONE, JR. Lawyer Rocco Cipparone | Top Attorney Criminal Defense

Rocco C. Cipparone, Jr. has been continuously certified by the Supreme Court of New Jersey as a Criminal Trial Attorney since 1995, and has received the highest available rating ("AV Preeminent") as to his legal ability and ethical standards from Martindale-Hubbell.   In 2019, Rocco Cipparone was awarded Fellowship in the prestigious American College of Trial Lawyers. Fellowship is extended by invitation only to trial lawyers with a minimum 15 years trial experience who have mastered the art of advocacy and whose professional careers have been marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality. Membership in the College cannot exceed one percent of the total lawyer population of any state.   Rocco Cipparone Jr. is honored to have been requested in 2014 to serve on the United States Attorney's Defense Counsel Advisory Committee in the District of New Jersey by Paul J. Fishman, then United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey. The Committee, headed by Mr. Fishman, also is made up of Division Chiefs in his office as well as a small invited group of prominent federal defense attorneys. The Committee evaluates and discusses important issues in the federal criminal justice system that equally affect prosecutors and defendants. It is laudable that U.S. Attorney Fishman has formed the Committee and invited select defense attorneys to serve, recognizing the value of collaborative discussion among prosecutors and defense attorneys to improve the interaction for the benefit of both sides and to address issues that are equally important to both sides.  For over 25 years Mr. Cipparone taught at Rutgers University Law School, Camden, New Jersey, at which he taught "Criminal Practice".  In 2014, Rocco Cipparone also joined the Adjunct Faculty at Drexel University's Thomas R. Kline School of Law, teaching Trial Advocacy.  He also has taught courses in "Legal Research and Writing" and "Moot Court".  Mr. Cipparone is a frequent lecturer (for a list of some of Mr. Cipparone's speaking engagements, CLICK HERE).  Indeed other attorneys nationally seek the benefit of Mr. Cipparone's substantial experience, including by taking continuing legal education courses taught by him.  To view selected clips from one such lecture, CLICK HERE.  Mr. Cipparone also has lectured at continuing education seminars for lawyers sponsored by the New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, the Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers (NJ), the Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, the Federal Public Defenders in both NJ and PA, the New Jersey Assistant Prosecutor's Assiciation, and others.  Mr. Cipparone has written several published articles regarding criminal law and trial practice.   In 2007, Rocco Cipparone was chosen by the federal court to be the defense attorney for the lead defendant in one of the most significant post-9/11 terrorism related trials in the United States.  Mr. Cipparone has tried a large number of jury trials, and has handled a significant number of appeals.  Mr. Cipparone has received numerous awards and recognition for his legal skills and efforts including as a former federal prosecutor, a list of some of which can be viewed by clicking the above link.  Mr. Cipparone also has been recognized by South Jersey Magazine as an "Awesome Attorney" several times. Mr. Cipparone was appointed in 2003 by the Chief Judge of the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey to a merit selection panel to consider the reappointment of a United States Magistrate Judge in the District of New Jersey.  He served on the Ancora Psychiatric Hospital Board of Trustees (NJ) by appointment of the Governor of New Jersey from 2000 to 2006. Rocco Cipparone frequently is quoted and consulted by national and local television, radio, and print news media for legal analysis and comment, including CNN, Fox Television News, Good Day Philadelphia, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, TIME Magazine, The Philadelphia Inquirer, the New Jersey Law Journal, The Courier Post, the Michael Smerconish Radio Show, The Dom Giordano Radio Show, the Paul W. Smith Radio Show, KYW News Radio, NPR, and others. Lawyer Rocco Cipparone |

Bar Admissions Supreme Court of New Jersey (and all lower courts) Supreme Court of Pennsylvania (and all lower courts) United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit United States District Court, District of New Jersey United States District Court, Eastern District of Pennsylvania United States District Court, Eastern District of Michigan Other Professional Experience Rutgers University Law School (Camden, NJ), Adjunct Faculty (1991-present): Criminal Practice; previously taught Legal Researching and Writing and Moot Court courses  United States Dept. of Justice, Assistant U.S. Attorney, District of New Jersey (1988-1992): federal prosecutor of all manner of federal criminal cases, including complex white collar crimes; income tax evasion; mail and wire fraud; violent crime; large-scale narcotics cases; Hobbs Act robbery and extortion cases; also designated an Organized Crime Drug Task Force Prosecutor Law Clerk, Hon. Anthony J. Scirica, U.S. Court of Appeals Third Circuit (1987-1988): Law Clerk to the Honorable Anthony J. Scirica (also former Chief Judge), United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, which in the hierarchy of the federal court system is just below the United States Supreme Court Education University of Pennsylvania Law School: Juris Doctor, Magna Cum Laude, 1987; Law Review Editorial Board; Order of the Coif Saint Joseph's University (Philadelphia, PA): B.A. 1984, Summa Cum Laude; Alpha Sigma Nu, National Jesuit Honor Society  Saint Joseph's Preparatory High School (Philadelphia, PA):  1980; Dean's List; ranked 15th in graduating class