John Runfola is a highly experienced and effective criminal defense attorney. His cases have at times drawn international attention, and he has succeeded in winning favorable results for clients both at trial and through skillful pre-trial work. He is listed in Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers and has earned the highest rating from the national lawyer registry Martindale Hubbell, which for over 80 years has been compiling scores based on a confidential peer-review process. To achieve his rating, known in legal circles as an "AV," represents a "significant accomplishment - a sign that a lawyer is ranked at the highest level of professional excellence," the registry says. The rating reflects both the highest level of legal ability and "very high" adherence to the "Professional Code of Responsibility" in conduct, ethics, reliability and diligence.

Prior to starting his own practice, Mr. Runfola served as a Public Defender in San Francisco, where he gained invaluable courtroom experience.  He is a seasoned trial lawyer, yet is equally adept at the behind-the-scenes work that often proves critical to a case: conceiving of strategies to exclude evidence, weaken the government's hand, and provide mitigating information regarding his clients,, so that charges are reduced or dismissed, or a lesser sentence can be achieved. His cases have been the subject of numerous articles in publications such as New York Times, the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Chronicle, and the San Francisco Examiner, and have been featured on TV news shows including "48 Hours" and "Dateline NBC."

Mr. Runfola has a deep commitment to justice and is keenly aware of the daunting prospect of squaring off against the government, with its tremendous reservoirs of power and resources. He comes from a tradition of   the strongest legal advocacy and ethics, having seen his father, Joseph Runfola, work as a criminal defense lawyer and a groundbreaking president of the Erie County Bar Association in New York State. Joseph Runfola, among other accomplishments, created a committee on sex discrimination well ahead of its time, and headed the Bar Association's Aid to Indigent Prisoners Society and its Prisoner Release Program. Like his father, John Runfola truly listens to, and is a tireless advocate for, his clients. His aim is to help people resolve their cases in a way that minimizes the damage to their lives.

Crimimal Law
Mortgage Fraud
Drug Offenses
Vehicular Crimes and DUI