Practice areas: Criminal Defense, Family Law, Personal Injury; view more
Licensed in Louisiana since: 1992
Education: University of South Carolina School of Law
Selected to Super Lawyers: 2012 Call today:
504-345-9647
Free Consultation Marino & Ehle, LLC
501 Derbigny StreetGretna, LA 70053 Visit website
Joseph A. Marino III brings over 32 years of legal experience to Marino & Ehle, LLC, in Gretna, Louisiana. Throughout his career on the West Bank of Jefferson Parish, he has earned a reputation as a skilled trial attorney focusing on criminal defense, personal injury and family law.
A graduate of Louisiana State University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in journalism and the University of South Carolina School of Law, Mr. Marino is deeply familiar with the 24th Judicial District Courts and all facets of Jefferson Parish criminal proceedings. He ensures that clients remain fully informed and confident in his strategies at every stage.
A lifelong resident of Gretna and proud alumnus of Holy Cross School in New Orleans, Mr. Marino has committed himself to both public service and community engagement. Elected to two terms as Louisiana State Representative for District 85, he served on the Judiciary and Civil Law Committees and chaired the Administration of Criminal Justice Committee. He has also led professional organizations, including two terms as president of the Jefferson Bar Association and eight years on its board.
Moreover, Mr. Marino is a certified instructor for the police academies in Gretna, Kenner and Westwego. In 2023, the Louisiana Supreme Court appointed him ad hoc judge of Division “D” of the 24th Judicial District Court, a position he held until December 31. His AV Preeminent* peer-review rating through Martindale-Hubbell, inclusion in the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers and recognition in New Orleans Magazine’s Top Lawyers affirm his legal acumen and ethical standards.
A guest lecturer at Loyola School of Law and Tulane University, Mr. Marino contributes to the Westbank Boys and Girls Club as a board member. Recipient of the CityBusiness Leadership in Law Award, he proudly continues to champion justice for his clients and community alike.
*AV®, AV Preeminent®, Martindale-Hubbell Distinguished and Martindale-Hubbell Notable are certification marks used under license in accordance with the Martindale-Hubbell certification procedures, standards and policies. Martindale-Hubbell® is the facilitator of a peer-review rating process. Ratings reflect the anonymous opinions of members of the bar and the judiciary. Martindale-Hubbell® Peer Review Ratings™ fall into two categories – legal ability and general ethical standards.
Practice areas
Criminal Defense, Family Law, Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff, Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI, Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: PlaintiffFocus areas
Alimony & Spousal Support, Child Support, Custody & Visitation, DUI/DWI, Divorce, Domestic Violence, Drug & Alcohol Violations, Expungement, Felony, Juvenile Delinquency, Medical Malpractice, Misdemeanor, Probation, Theft, Trucking Accidents, Wrongful Death
- 40% Criminal Defense
- 20% Family Law
- 20% Personal Injury - General: Plaintiff
- 10% Criminal Defense: DUI/DWI
- 10% Personal Injury - Medical Malpractice: Plaintiff
First Admitted: 1992, Louisiana
Professional Webpage: https://www.jeffersontriallawyers.com/joseph-marino/
Bar / Professional Activity
- President of Jefferson Bar Association, 2006
- State Representative - Louisiana House of Representatives - (2016-2023) served as Chairman of Criminal Justice Committee and member of the Judiciary, Civil Law and Transportation Committees, 2016
- President of Jefferson Bar Association, 2007
Verdicts / Settlements (Case Results)
- Jefferson Parish - Not Guilty verdict in a Domestic Battery charge. Client accused of battery on spouse after filing for divorce. Client denied altercation and refused offer of Pre-Trial Diversion. Judge trial resulted in Not Guilty verdict., 2026
- Jefferson Parish - Not Guilty Simple Battery. Client accused of striking neighbor who was intoxicated. Defense was self-defense with the alleged victim being the actual aggressor. Judge found client Not Guilt of Simple Battery., 2022
- Jefferson Parish - Not Guilty Aggravated Battery charge. Client was falsely accused of committing an aggravated battery. Accused of hitting other person with a bottle requiring medical attention. Client alleged that she was the victim and that it was self-defense. Jury trial resulted in a unanimous verdict of Not Guilty., 2024
Special Licenses / Certifications
- Certified Instructor for Kenner Police Academy and the Gretna Police Academy.
Educational Background
- Louisiana State University, Bachelor of Art degree, Major: Journalism, 1984-1988
Scholarly Lectures / Writings
- Speaker at Annual Small Firms and Solo Conference, Speaker, Expungement Law, Louisiana State Bar, 2011
- Provided a summary and review of the Louisiana Justice Reinvestment bills from the 2017 Session. Discussed role as lead negotiator for House and Senate, Speaker, Louisiana Justice reinvestment Reforms, Jefferson Bar Association, 2017
- Presented seminar on jury selection in criminal cases to LACDL member attorneys., Speaker, Jury Selection, La. Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2019
- Reviewed the 2019 criminal laws passed by the Louisiana Legislature for the LACDL, Speaker, LACDL Legislative Review, La. Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2019
- Presented and analyzed the changes made in criminal statutes from the 2021 Louisiana Legislative session, Speaker, 2021 Legislative Update, Office of the State Public Defender, 2021
- Reviewed the criminal justice legislation from the 2022 Louisiana Legislative session., Speaker, Legislative Review, Jefferson Bar Association, 2022
- Presentation to attorneys and judge on the complex interplay between cases that involve both criminal domestic violence charges and family law., Speaker, Intersection of Family Law and Criminal Law, Louisiana State Bar Association, 2023
- Presented review of the criminal laws/legislation from the 2024 Louisiana Legislative session to attorneys and judges., Speaker, Legislative Review, New Orleans Bar Association, 2024
- Presentation for Louisiana State Bar Association for young lawyers on the management and business aspects of operating a solo criminal defense practice., Speaker, Business and Management of a Solo Criminal Law Practice, Louisiana State Bar Association, 2017
- Presented summary of the criminal law bills passed in the 2025 by the Louisiana Legislature to attorneys and judges., Speaker, Legislative Review - Criminal Law, Jefferson Bar Association, 2025
- Speaker, "Zealous Defense Meets Tough Prosecution", Louisiana Assoc. of Criminal Defense Lawyers seminar, 2009
- Los Angeles County Public Defender Association seminar, Speaker, "Voir Dire - Jury Selection", 2006
Other Outstanding Achievements
- Received recognition for dedication and service to the City of Gretna as Gretna City Councilman for District 2 from 2013 through 2016., 2016
- Appointed to serve a temporary judgeship in the 24th Judicial District Court by the Louisiana Supreme Court. Presided over the civil and criminal docket and conducted judge and jury trials., 2023
- Appointed Interim Councilman by the Jefferson Parish Council to serve as Councilman for District 1, 2025
Honors
- One of 50 honorees selected based upon their legal, professional and community contributions by New Orleans CityBusiness., Leadership in Law (Top 50), New Orleans CityBusiness, 2006
- AV Preeminent* rating through Martindale-Hubbell
- Received the Dyslexia Resource Champion award for authoring and passing several pieces of legislation affecting students with Dyslexia. Legislation included early intervention, screening and improving teacher training., Dyslexia Legislative Champion, Dyslexia Resource Center, 2021
- Received the Legislative All-Star award for scoring highly on pro-business legislation impacting Louisianan's business community., LABI Legislative All-Star, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, 2022
- Received the "Chief Justice Pascal F. Calogero, Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award" for past service on the LACDL Board, legislation in the field of criminal justice and for serving as Chairman of the Criminal Justice Committee in the House of Representatives., Lifetime Achievement Award, La. Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, 2022
- Received the Legislator of the Year award for work updating and improving the arson statute., Legislator of the Year, Louisiana State Firemen's Association, 2018
- Received the Legislator of the Year award from the judges association for Criminal Justice Reform, Legislator of the Year, Fifth Circuit Judges Association, 2018
- Received the 2017 Legislator of the Year award from the Jefferson Chapter of the Alliance for Good Government for leading the landmark bipartisan Criminal Justice Reform Initiative. Acted as lead negotiator for the package of criminal justice bills for both the the House and the Senate, Legislator of the Year, Alliance for Good Government, 2017
- Award for being one of the Top Lawyers in the New Orleans Area in the field of Criminal Defense., New Orleans Top Lawyers, New Orleans Magazine, 2009
Awards
AV Preeminent®: This elite award is granted to attorneys who have been recognized by their peers for their very high ethical standards, with an average peer review score of 4.5 or higher.
Selections
- Super Lawyers: 2012
