Galantucci & Patuto

FOUNDING Partner

Philip De Vencentes

Philip De Vencentes, a Partner in the firm since 1985, focuses on appellate and trial court motion practice in both the state and federal courts, and works closely with the firm’s other attorneys in complex criminal and civil cases in drafting and arguing pre-trial motions; choosing and working with expert witnesses; researching and addressing trial issues of law and evidence; and preparing requested jury instructions. 

Mr. De Vencentes is well regarded among his peers and adversaries for the quality and depth of his research and the clarity of his writing, as well as his ability to focus on the arguments most likely to prevail as a matter of law. Based in part upon his AV rating from Martindale-Hubbell®, Mr. De Vencentes was named in 2012 among the top appellate lawyers in Bergen County by “(201) Magazine.”  He has briefed and argued dozens of appeals in both state and federal appellate courts, including the New Jersey Supreme Court.  Many of his cases have resulted in decisions of significant precedential importance, including State v. Schubert, State v. Kruse, State v. Gardner, State v. Cuccio, State v. Zadoyan, State v. Heisler, State v. Hogan, and State v. O’Loughlin.

Mr. De Vencentes is a cum laude graduate of New York University (Washington Square College), where he was elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and was awarded a Woodrow Wilson Fellowship (Hon.) before accepting one of the first Humanities Fellowships offered by the University of Chicago.   He received a Master’s degree in History from the University of Chicago, and later attended Rutgers School of Law in Newark, New Jersey, from which he received his J.D. degree in 1979.  He joined Galantucci & Patuto as an attorney the same year.