Joseph E. Scolavino was born in Brooklyn and raised on Long Island in a law enforcement family. As the son of a father who served as both a military veteran and NYPD detective, he did not learn about the justice system from textbooks; he grew up with it. This upbringing instilled in him a reverence for the truth—and a critical eye for how that truth is gathered. He learned early on that the integrity of a case rests entirely on the quality of the investigation.

Before entering the courtroom, Mr. Scolavino spent several years serving on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., as a Legislative Aide to a Congressman. There, he gained a foundational understanding of how the law is written before he dedicated his career to enforcing it. He returned to New York to pursue his legal education, receiving his Juris Doctor from St. John's University School of Law in Queens.

The Prosecutor’s Edge: From DWI to Violent Felonies

Following law school, Mr. Scolavino began his legal career in the trenches of the Bronx County District Attorney's Office. As an Assistant District Attorney serving in the Criminal Court, Trial, and Public Integrity Bureaus, he gained invaluable experience across the entire spectrum of criminal law.

With his courtroom skills growing, he was selected as a Team Leader to manage and mentor junior prosecutors. He was also tapped by the FBI’s Operational Technology Division to assist in training FBI Computer Forensic Examiners on expert testimony and presenting digital evidence.

Mr. Scolavino did not just handle cases; he took them to verdict. Drawing on the investigative standards he was raised with, his experience ranges from the technical nuances of Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) to high-stakes prosecutions including attempted murder, kidnapping, sex trafficking, and gun crimes. He understands the scientific complexities of DNA evidence and the specific protocols police use for field sobriety tests. He knows the difference between a clean investigation and a corner-cutting one. Today, he uses that inside knowledge to dismantle the government's case against his clients.

The Insider Advantage: Personal Injury & Civil Litigation

After his time in the Bronx, Mr. Scolavino joined the New York State Office of the Attorney General in the Westchester Regional Office and later in the Poughkeepsie Regional Office. As an Assistant Attorney General, he spent nearly a decade defending the State of New York and its officers in complex civil litigation. This role required him to master the courtroom in a new way—as a civil litigator handling multi-million dollar lawsuits.

He has deep experience litigating high-value negligence claims across Westchester, Rockland, Putnam, Dutchess, Orange, Sullivan and Ulster counties, including slip and falls, motor vehicle accidents, wrongful death, medical malpractice, and employment discrimination. He also spent years defending against the very claims he now brings on behalf of plaintiffs, such as unjust conviction, excessive force, and failure to protect. During his tenure, he was a recipient of the prestigious Louis J. Lefkowitz Award for his outstanding performance in these high-stakes defenses.

Mr. Scolavino knows exactly how insurance carriers and State agencies evaluate risk, hide vulnerabilities, and defend these lawsuits. Now, he turns that playbook against them, maximizing recoveries for victims of negligence and injustice.

The Family Defender

Mr. Scolavino knows firsthand that the high stakes of family law hit hardest for those who have the most to lose. His Matrimonial practice is built for the dedicated parent and the hard-working professional who suddenly find their parental rights and financial future under attack.

He specializes in representing the spouse who prioritizes stability over conflict. His primary mission is to ensure you remain a central, consistent figure in your children's lives. Once that bond is secured, he fights with equal aggression to protect the assets and legacy you have spent a lifetime building.

Personal Life

Outside the courtroom, Mr. Scolavino is guided by his faith and a deep dedication to his children. He is a devoted father who understands that the most important title he holds is "Dad." A lifelong "hooper" and competitor, he can still be found on the basketball court, channeling the same drive he brings to his practice.