John C. Whipple
161 Madison Avenue, Suite 325 Morristown, New Jersey 07960
Firm:
Whipple Azzarello, LLC
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Overview
John C. Whipple is a seasoned and well regarded trial attorney with more than 30 years experience. He has tried numerous criminal jury trials in the federal and state courts as well as a number of civil jury trials and prides himself on having the highest standards of ethical conduct and professionalism while zealously fighting for the rights of his clients.
Certified by the New Jersey Supreme Court as a criminal trial attorney since 1988, Mr. Whipple has developed an excellent reputation in the New Jersey state and federal courts. Clients are referred to him not only by attorneys who do not practice criminal law, but also by professional colleagues with extensive criminal experience. Mr. Whipple began his career as an assistant prosecutor in Monmouth County New Jersey. As a newly admitted attorney, he learned the nuts and bolts of trial work and then became a federal public defender for the District of New Jersey where he continued to hone his trial skills. In addition to developing his expertise in criminal defense, Mr. Whipple also handled other, more complex matters. These included: securities, bank and mail fraud cases, narcotic offenses, political corruption matters, and RICO offenses. He became an expert in dealing with the federal sentencing guidelines. His experience in the federal public defender’s office also enabled him to develop appellate skills as well. He has argued numerous cases before the Third Circuit Court of Appeals and New Jersey's Appellate Division.
Areas of Practice:
*Corporate Internal and Regulatory Investigations
*White collar and other criminal Defense
*Complex Commercial Litigation
*Criminal Defense of Officers and Directors in securities, healthcare, insurance and antitrust investigations and prosecutions
Mr. Whipple also has significant knowledge regarding attorney ethics an expertise he developed over the course of a four year term on the District X Ethics Committee which served Morris and Sussex counties. While a member of this committee, he investigated and prosecuted attorney ethics violations, presided over hearings, and argued before the Disciplinary Review Board. Following his term, attorneys needing legal advice and representation on ethics matters have sought out his services.
Representative Experience:
*Negotiated a probation sentence for a medical doctor charged with first and second degree drug charges for growing marijuana on his farm.
*Negotiated a probation sentence for a dentist in a significant Medicaid fraud prosecution.
*Negotiated misdemeanor plea agreements in Federal Court in two separate major felony prosecutions that resulted in probation sentences. 1)The owner of a large construction company, who was charged in a felony labor payoff indictment, was placed on probation after pleading to a single misdemeanor count. 2)Medical practice office manager pleaded guilty to a single misdemeanor count of aiding in the possession of drugs and was placed on probation after having been originally charged with conspiracy to distribute mass quantities of pain pills and money laundering with her employer.
*Completed an eight month trial in the US District Court in Trenton, New Jersey. It was the longest criminal environmental trial in the history of the Environmental Crimes Section of the Department of Justice. John’s client was the Environmental Manager of a New Jersey company. He was acquitted on all three counts that he faced, including a massive conspiracy charge alleging violations of the Clean Water and Clean Air Acts and defrauding the United States, false statements to the EPA and obstruction of justice and charges of a specific false statement to the EPA/NJDEP and a violation of the Clean Air Act.
*Tried five Federal RICO cases one of which was the largest police corruption case ever prosecuted in New Jersey, State or Federal. Due to his aggressive and skillful defense against the allegation that the entire municipal police department was a criminal “enterprise”, the jury acquitted all four defendants of the racketeering charges.
Awards and Achievements:
* Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers (ACTL) - This organization is composed of the best trial lawyers in the United States and Canada. A premier North American legal association, Fellowship is highly exclusive. It is only after careful investigation that invitations are extended to experienced trial lawyers proven to have mastered the art of advocacy and those whose careers are marked by the highest standards of ethical conduct, professionalism, civility and collegiality.
*Recognized in Corporate Counsel Magazine, New Jersey Monthly Magazine and New York Magazine.
*Continuously recognized since 2005 as a New Jersey Super Lawyer in the specialty of white collar criminal defense.
*Rated AV for his legal abilities and ethics by Martindale Hubble. AV Preeminent® is a significant rating accomplishment - a testament to the fact that a lawyer's peers rank him at the highest level of professional excellence.
*Recognized in: Best Lawyers in America, Top Lawyers in New Jersey, in the practice of Criminal Defense.
*Named by his peers to the Top 100 New Jersey Super Lawyers
*Received the 2009 Professionalism Award by the N.J. State Bar Association
*Listed in Chambers USA (Band 1) – a guide ranking the best law firms and lawyers since 1990
Appearances:
Court TV
MSNBC documentary “Cops Caught on Tape”
Presentations:
John has lectured extensively on the following topics:
Criminal and civil trial practice.
Administrative & criminal investigations/prosecutions of law enforcement officers.
State & federal Grand Jury investigations.
What legal services does this lawyer offer?
Awards
Criminal Defense: General Practice, Newark (2020)
Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Newark (2019)
Criminal Defense: General Practice, Newark (2018)
Criminal Defense: General Practice, Newark (2016)
Criminal Defense: General Practice, Newark (2012)
- Professional Lawyer of the Year 2009-NJ State Bar Foundation
- Chambers USA- Band 1 (2013-2014)
- Top 100 New Jersey Super Lawyer
- New Jersey Super Lawyers-White Collar Criminal Defense (2005-Present)
- Best Lawyers-New York Area-Lawyer of the Year-Criminal Defense 2013, 2016
- Martindale Hubbel AV rating-Preeminent
Education
Seton Hall University, J.D.
Graduated 1982
Villanova University, BA
Graduated 1978
Contact Details and Office Locations
Office: (973) 267-7300
161 Madison Avenue, Suite 325
Morristown, New Jersey 07960
Morristown, New Jersey 07960
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