Michael Critchley is generally regarded as one of the most effective trial attorneys in New Jersey. During over 30 years of practice, Mr. Critchley has successfully tried over 100 cases in Federal and State courts involving matters such as securities fraud, anti-trust violations, tax fraud, official misconduct and many other business crimes. Mr. Critchley has also successfully tried numerous civil matters involving complex corporate disputes. Additionally, Mr. Critchley has also advised numerous high profile individual and corporate clients under investigation in which his clients avoided indictment or other proceedings.
Michael Critchley has been described by various publications as "just a stunning trial lawyer - guaranteed to scare the prosecutors” who “occupies a distinguished position within the New Jersey bar” with a “colossal reputation for his experience of the most complex of cases” and is considered “the top-level attorney to call if [the U.S. Attorney] comes-a-knocking.”
In a recent multi-billion dollar Civil RICO case alleging a massive conspiracy by short-sellers to drive a Financial Company out of business in which CKL obtained a highly favorable resolution for its client, the trial judge commented about Michael Critchley that “He’s a tiger . . . he’ll take over the case for the entire group . . . by the time he finishes with your witnesses there won’t be anything left.”
In obtaining the acquittal of a CEO in a federal price fixing case, a former trial attorney for the Department of Justice’s Antitrust division noted of Michael Critchley’s trial skills “The transcript of the trial reveals enough trial technique and tactics issues to fill a trial training curriculum.
Mr. Critchley received his B.A. and J.D. from Seton Hall University. Following law school, he served as an Assistant Prosecutor in the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office and later served as Assistant Counsel to Governor Brendan T. Byrne. Mr. Critchley founded the firm, which is now known as Critchley, Kinum & Luria, LLC, in 1975.
Recognitions/Awards
- Power List, Top 100, PolitickerNJ, 2010 (#10), 2011 (#29), 2012 (#28)
- 100 Most Powerful People in New Jersey Business, NJBiz, 2011 (#29)
- Super Lawyers (Top 100).
- Best Lawyers in America
- Top Lawyers in New York Area
- Best Lawyers in New Jersey
- AV Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
- Trial Attorneys of New Jersey with the Trial Bar Award
- Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers of New Jersey with the Lawrence A. Whipple Award
- Distinguished Graduate of the Year, Seton Hall University School of Law
Associations/Memberships
- Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers- the premier professional trial organization in America whose membership is limited to the top 1% of trial attorneys in the country
- Fellow of the American Board of Criminal Lawyers
- Fellow of the American Bar Foundation
- Past President and founding member of the New Jersey Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys
- Past President and Founder of Seton Hall University School of Law Inn of Court
- Member of the New Jersey State Bar Association Judicial & Prosecutorial Appointments Committee.
Professional Activities
- Board of Visitors, Seton Hall University School of Law.
- Board of Directors, St. Michael’s Medical Center
- Board of Trustees, Assumption College
Speaking Engagements
- Mr. Critchley speaks frequently to professional groups, including Federal and State Law Enforcement Agencies, on issues related to trial strategy.
You can contact Michael Critchley Sr at mcritchley@critchleylaw.com
Featured in: