John J. Waldron - Allentown, PA
Attorney at Waldron & Williams
Criminal Defense Law Lawyers in Allentown, PA
535 Hamilton Street Suite 102 Allentown, PA 18101
- 1 Super Lawyers®
-
44
Years
Experience
Allentown Criminal Defense Law Lawyer
Updated: 10/08/2026
Areas of Practice
- Criminal Defense Law
- Murder/Homicide
- Rape/Sexual Assault
- Violent Crimes
- Federal Charges/White Collar Crimes
- Theft
- Drug Offenses
- DUI/DWI
- Traffic Citations
Attorney Information
Overview
John J. Waldron has practiced criminal defense exclusively since 1987. Before that, he was an assistant district attorney in Lehigh County, where he learned how the Commonwealth builds a case from the inside. He has spent nearly four decades since using that knowledge against it. Based in Allentown and practicing primarily in Lehigh and Northampton counties, Mr. Waldron represents clients throughout the Commonwealth. Admitted in Pennsylvania since 1982, he is also admitted before the U.S. District Courts for the Middle and Eastern Districts of Pennsylvania, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, and the Supreme Court of the United States.
The Practice
His clients are people charged by Pennsylvania or federal authorities with felony and misdemeanor offenses. The charges run the full range: murder and other violent crimes, drug possession and trafficking, burglary, theft, bank robbery, DUI, and white collar matters including fraud.
Homicide carries the highest stakes in criminal law. Mr. Waldron investigates these cases independently, challenges forensic conclusions, scrutinizes witnesses, and litigates suppression issues early. That work drives the outcome, whether the case ends in a verdict, a reduced charge, or a dismissal.
Results
Over his career Mr. Waldron has secured dismissals, won acquittals at trial, negotiated favorable plea agreements out of difficult facts, and obtained reversals on appeal. Many of his cases have drawn significant press coverage. His colleagues have given him an AV Preeminent* peer review rating through Martindale-Hubbell, the highest rating the service awards for legal ability and ethical standards.
Background
La Salle University, B.A. in psychology, magna cum laude, 1978. Villanova University Charles Widger School of Law, J.D., 1982. Assistant District Attorney, Lehigh County. Private practice since 1987. Member, National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers.
Awards and Honors
Honors
- Super Lawyers has been written up in Maxim
- Super Lawyers has been written up in Vanity Fair
Other Sources of Feedback About John J. Waldron
Included on the 2026 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list
Past Lists
- 2025 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list
- 2024 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list
- 2023 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list
- 2022 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list
- 2021 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list
- 2020 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list
- 2008 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list
- 2006 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list
- 2005 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list
- 2004 Pennsylvania Super Lawyers list
Education
Legal Education
-
Villanova University School of Law, Villanova, Pennsylvania
J.D.
Non Legal Education
-
LaSalle College
B.A.
Honors: magna cum laude
Past Positions
- Assistant District Attorney, Lehigh County, 1984 - 1987
- Part-Time Instructor, Criminal Law, Allentown College, 1985 - 1989
Representative Cases
-
State of Texas v. Robert Durst
- Citation: Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Robert Durst /Multimillionaire Real Estate Heir-Murder Case
-
United States of America v. George Juno
- Citation: Antiques Roadshow Indictment
-
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. James Austin
- Citation: Antique Road Show Indictment
-
United States of America v. William Fatora
- Citation: Berks County Coroner-Fraud Case
-
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Judith Fulmer
- Citation: Driving Under the Influence-Motor Vehicle Charges-Victim was County Executive of Lehigh County
-
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Jamie Silvonek
- Citation: Homicide case-14 year old Juvenile
-
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. David Rappaport
- Citation: First Degree Homicide case
-
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. NaCola Franklin
- Citation: First Degree Homicide case
-
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Gregory Hogan
- Citation: Bank Robbery Case-Online Gambling Addiction
-
Burger King Baby
- Citation: Reunification Case
-
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Jarrett Patton
- Citation: Medical Doctor Jury Trial acquittal
-
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Pete O'Donnell
- Citation: Police officer accused of assault - jury trial acquittal.
-
Commonwealth of Pennsylvania v. Hector Quinones
- Citation: First degree murder charge - jury trial acquittal.
Published Works
Articles
-
People Magazine
-
Vanity Fair Magazine
-
Maxim Magazine
-
WFMZ 69 news (local criminal defense expert)
-
New York Times
- New York Post
- New York Daily News
- Morning Call
- Express-Times
- CNN
- Fox News
- Huffington Post
- HBO: The Jinx – Robert Durst
- Desperate Measures – David Rapoport
- Deadly Women – NaCola Franklin
- Forensic files – Michele Hetzel
- Law Journal
Bar Admissions
- Pennsylvania, 1982
- U.S. District Court Eastern District of Pennsylvania, 1982
- U.S. District Court Middle District of Pennsylvania
- U.S. Court of Appeals 3rd Circuit
- U.S. Supreme Court
Other Affiliations
- Lehigh County Bar Association
- Northampton County Bar Association
- Pennsylvania Bar Association, Criminal Law Division (Member)
- Pennsylvania Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 1993 - 1996 (Member, Board of Directors)
- National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
Reviews
Customer Reviews for John J. Waldron
FindLaw Highlights
-
0.5 Value
-
0.5 Quality of Service
-
0.5 Professional Competence
-
Hired Attorney 2005-2006He did nothing just stole my money and took a vacation with it.he also said it's not his job to gather evendence to prove my innocents
FindLaw.com
Contact
535 Hamilton Street
Suite 102
Allentown, PA 18101
Phone Number: 610-435-9790
Fax Number: 610-435-1238
Email: Send a message
Website: https://www.ww-legal.com
Disclaimer
Your Profile? Update Now
When viewing a listing, consider the state advertising restrictions to which lawyers and law firms must adhere, as well as our FindLaw.com Legal Directory disclaimer. Some lawyers publish comparative information regarding the services that they provide which may be subject to specific comparative communications restrictions.
How do I choose a lawyer?
Consider the following:
- Comfort Level – Are you comfortable telling the lawyer personal information? Does the lawyer seem interested in solving your problem?
- Credentials – How long has the lawyer been in practice? Has the lawyer worked on other cases similar to yours?
- Cost – How are the lawyer's fees structured — hourly or flat fee? Can the lawyer estimate the cost of your case?
- City – Is the lawyer's office conveniently located?
Not sure what questions to ask a lawyer?
Here are a few to get you started:
- How long have you been in practice?
- How many cases like mine have you handled?
- How often do you settle cases out of court?
- What are your fees and costs?
- What are the next steps?
Want to check lawyer discipline?
It is always a good idea to research your lawyer prior to hiring. Every state has a disciplinary organization that monitors attorneys, their licenses, and consumer complaints. By researching lawyer discipline you can:
- Ensure the attorney is currently licensed to practice in your state
- Gain an understanding of his or her historical disciplinary record, if any.
- Determine the seriousness of complaints/issues which could range from late bar fees to more serious issues requiring disciplinary action.