John J. Roberts focuses his practice on criminal defense and commercial litigation. John earned his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, where he was the Managing Editor of the Seton Hall Law Review.  Prior to graduating, he served an internship with the Warren County Prosecutor’s Office, where he appeared in Superior Court and argued on behalf of the State of New Jersey in numerous criminal proceedings including sentencings, bail hearings, parole violations, and Municipal Court appeals.  In that capacity he also drafted briefs for Appellate Division criminal appeals and trial court matters involving search and seizure, DUI, and evidentiary issues.  Prior to that experience, he served an internship in the Chambers of the Honorable Donald G. Collester, Jr., Superior Court of New Jersey, Appellate Division, where he researched, drafted, and edited bench memoranda regarding civil litigation issues.

Before becoming an attorney, John led a successful career in publishing as an Editor and Managing Editor, working with award-winning authors and editing hundreds of books in the fields of history, biography, public policy, and education.  As Managing Editor of the Law Review he oversaw the development and editing of fifty student-written articles dealing with a wide variety of issues in State and Federal law. His experience in publishing and with the Law Review make him uniquely qualified to advocate a client’s cause with the written word.  He is a gifted researcher and writer, and is able to garner the attention of judges with succinct, persuasive, and well-developed arguments.

John earned his B.A. in English from Virginia Tech.  He also earned a Professional Certificate in Public Relations from New York University’s School of Continuing and Professional Studies.  He is a member of the Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey.

BAR ADMISSIONS

• New Jersey
• New York
• U.S. District Court for the District of New Jersey
• U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York
• U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York

AFFILIATIONS

• Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers-New Jersey
• New Jersey State Bar Association
• Morris County Bar Association

PUBLICATIONS & OPINIONS

State v. J.G., 201 N.J. 369, 990 A.2d 1122 (N.J. 2010) (in which the Supreme Court of New Jersey clarified the standard for applying the cleric-penitent privilege; on the brief for amicus curiae Association of Criminal Defence Lawyers-New Jersey).

John C. Whipple & John J. Roberts, Different Arenas, Different Ground Rules: State vs. Federal Criminal Practice, 264 N.J. Lawyer 11 (June 2010).

Thomas M. Lenney & John J. Roberts, The Brave New World of Telephonic Search Warrants: Recommendations of the Supreme Court Special Committee Post-Pena-Flores, 264 N.J Lawyer 48 (June 2010).