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Our Team
Manuel Portela, Owner
Manuel@portelalaw.com
School: The Washington College of Law at American University
Degree: JD 1990
Foreign Language: Spanish

Manuel Portela Esq. is the founding partner of The Portela Law Firm, P.C. He specializes in Corporate and Commercial Law, Criminal Defense and Personal Injury.

After graduating from Fordham University with honors and earning a law degree from American University Washington College of Law, Mr. Portela accepted an appointment as an Assistant District Attorney at the Kings County District Attorney's Office in New York. During his tenure as an Assistant District Attorney, he received extensive training and instruction in the Criminal Court Bureau, Early Case Assessment Bureau, Felony Investigations Bureau and the Supreme Court Bureau. Among the Felony and Misdemeanor cases that he successfully won, he resolved thousands of cases through effective plea negotiations. After his resignation Mr. Portela diversified his practice representing businesses as well as individuals.

Manuel Portela launched The Portela Law Firm, P.C. with the aim of fighting relentlessly to assert and protect the interest of his clients as well as providing professional and compassionate representation to New York's diverse population.

Work Experience, Certifications and awards:

  • King County Assistant District Attorney, Senior Trial Attorney (1990-1995)
  • American University International Law Journal, Senior Editor
  • New York Federal Reserve Bank, 1986, Division: Domestic Bank
  • Examinations - Domestic Bank Examiner

Of Counsel:

  • Personal Injury:
    • Michael J. Clemente, Esq.
  • Federal Criminal Defense:
    • Sanders Dennis, Esq.
  • Business Law and Licensing:
    • Glenn Wright, Esq.

The Attorneys at The Portela Law Firm, P.C. are members of
the following Professional Organizations:

  • Board of Director, Lex Owner's Corp. 2005-2008
  • American Immigration Law Association, 2008-2009
  • Board of Director and Cofounder of the Inwood and Marble Hill Chamber of Commerce, 2008-2009
  • Vice President of the U.S. Latin Chamber of Commerce, 2009-2010
  • Queens County Bar Association
  • Kings County Bar Association