Manuel Portela

With more than 25 years of experience The Portela Law Firm, P.C. provides results-driven and zealous representation in the areas of criminal defense, immigration, family law, and personal injury. The firm is comprised of highly trained and experienced attorneys, investigators and administrative staff who litigate complex state and federal cases. Team Portela represents individuals from all walks of life as well as small business owners and high profile individuals in state and federal courts. The firm’s cases have been featured in The New York Times, New York Daily News, The New York Post, Long Island Newsday, Bloomberg News, Crains New York Business, Telemundo, and El Diario.

Mr. Portela is distinguished for his extensive educational background, career longevity, notable high profile cases and numerous awards and recognitions. In 1986 Mr. Portela graduated with honors from Fordham University.  In 1990 he received his Juris Doctorate degree from The Washington College of Law in Washington D.C.. and served as senior editor of the International Law Journal.  After Mr. Portela’s university studies, he worked for the Federal Reserve Bank of New York in the capacity of bank examiner.  In 1990 Mr. Portela accepted the appointment of Assistant District Attorney at the King’s County District Attorney’s Office in New York City and resigned as a senior trial attorney after five years.  During Mr. Portela’s formative years at the King’s County District Attorney’s office he received extensive training in the Criminal Court Bureau, Early Assessment Bureau, Felony investigations Bureau and Supreme Court Trial Bureau.  This experience propelled Mr. Portela to launch the opening of the Portela Law Firm, PC. in 1995 which now celebrates three office locations in Manhattan, the Bronx and Queens.

When asked if he could define his career in a quote Mr. Portela responded naturally: “I have a passion and purpose for providing exceptional legal service.” “The firm represents New York residents from all walks of life as well as the NYC’s hispanic communities, which includes recent immigrants and first generation Americans.” As a leader in his field, Mr. Portela is uniquely positioned to identify emerging trends in various areas of the firm’s practice. Mr. Portela noted “The firm has access to extensive legal research resources thanks to today’s technology and access to legal libraries online dedicated to lawyers.” Given the current political climate, Mr. Portela is committed to staying current with changes in the law that affect his clients as they may materialize, especially when they relate to the consequences that criminal cases can have on each person’s future including one’s legal status. Mr. Portela noted that “the consequences of criminal convictions for legal permanent residents or foreign visitors to the United States can be profound, and so we focus our research and experience to inform our clients of the immigration consequences and ramifications of criminal convictions.” Over his career he has been a member of the American Bar Association, New York State Criminal Defense Association, and AILA.

Mr. Portela is recognized as one of the Top in His Industry by the Expert Network. His success as an attorney and in business is attributed to understanding his clients’ legal needs and providing effective representation with proven results. His firm’s success speaks for itself.