Joseph F. Defino was born in Newark, NJ and returned to the area to provide his community with professional family law counsel. Joe has been AV® Preeminent™ Peer Review Rated^SM by Martindale-Hubbell® and named a Super Lawyer in recognition of his high ethical standards and legal abilities.

Joe has been a partner with the firm since 1991. He previously served as a law clerk to the Honorable Thomas F. Shebell, Jr.

Joe is a skilled litigator and is recognized as a zealous advocate for his clients. He brings a diversity of legal experience to the practice, including NJ family law, NJ real estate law and litigation. Joe continues to maintain a real estate practice and represents several condominium and homeowners associations. He is a Qualified Family Law Mediator and acts as Municipal Judge for Wall Township, NJ.

Bar admissions

• New Jersey
• Florida
• U. S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
• U. S. Court of Appeals for the 3rd Circuit

Education

• Bucknell University, B.A., with honors, 1974
• Tulane Law School, J.D., 1977

Professional associations

• Monmouth Bar Association
  • Former trustee
  • Family Law Committee, former chairperson
• Early Settlement Panel of the Superior Court in Monmouth County, former chairperson
• New Jersey State Bar Association
• Florida Bar Association

Publications

• Written and published a chapter in Family Law Practice in New Jersey (Law Practice Handbooks, Inc., 1997)

Honors and awards

• AV Preeminent Peer Review Rated
• Named a New Jersey Super Lawyer, 2011 and 2012
• Named by New Jersey Monthly Magazine as one of the Top Lawyers in New Jersey