Profiles
Jef Henninger, Esq.
At the Law Offices of Jef Henninger, Esq, we have put together an excellent and diverse team of lawyers that can represent you in any court in New Jersey. While each member of the team has their own unique strengths and experiences, they are all equally dedicated to fighting for all of the firm's clients. We also emphasize that we are a team and not just a collection of lawyers. While each team member has their own case load, we all work together to fight for our clients. Thus, when you hire us, you are not just getting a lawyer to work on your case; you get our excellent team of lawyers in addition to a great support staff that will stop at nothing to get you the result you want. In addition to the awards and accolades that our individual lawyers have received, the firm has been recognized as one of the GSE Companies of the Year 2011.
Jef Henninger, Esq. is the senior partner at the firm. Jef is one of the few attorneys that has represented clients in all 21 Superior Courts in New Jersey. A dedicated and tireless advocate for his clients, Jef has been battle tested in numerous successful trials. He has represented doctors, lawyers and executives as well as children, soccer moms and grandfathers. Besides representing clients and overseeing all of the lawyers in the firm, Jef also maintains a litigation consulting practice where he consults with other lawyers as well as clients across the country on a wide range of criminal defense issues.
Jef's criminal defense practice is focused on complex matters including cases involving allegations of child abuse and neglect, molestation, homicide as well as computer crime and white collar crime. As a result, Jef handles a large number of cases involving cutting edge technology including computer forensics as well as forensic evidence involving fingerprints, DNA, ballistics, etc. Likewise, Jef also handles criminal child abuse and domestic violence cases. Jef has a long track record of winning cases prior to arrest, prior to indictment, pre-trial and during trial.
Jef's work has received attention from local and national media. He has been interviewed by a number of organizations including: the New York Times, NJBIZ.com, the Newark Star Ledger, CNBC, Fox News, ABCNews.com, the Asbury Park Press, the Philadelphia City Paper, NJ 101.5 FM, the Burlington County Times, ABS-CBN News, among others. Some of Jef's interviews have been reprinted in other outlets such as Forbes.com and the Boston Herald. Jef has also be quoted as an authority on a number of legal blogs and websites. He is a Barrister in the Haydn Proctor Inn of Court, a past Judge for the Vincent J. Apruzzese Mock Trial Competition as well as an editor of several popular legal blogs. Finally, Jef has been recognized by his peers as a New Jersey Super Lawyer Rising Star.
Bar Admissions:
- New Jersey
- U.S. District Court District of New Jersey
- Supreme Court of the United States
Notable Cases
- David S, Fraud Charges- Not Guilty
- Fernando M, Burglarly Charges- Not Guilty
- Erik R, Attempted Murder- Hung Jury
- Ricky M, Gun Charges- Hung Jury
- Mike M, Homicide- Hung Jury
- S.S., Kidnapping- Charges Dismissed
- Trent T, Burglarly- Charges Dismissed
- E.A., First Khat Case in NJ- Charges Dismissed
- I.J., Second Khat Case in NJ- Charges Dismissed
- Joe F, Drug Distribution- Conviction Vacated on Appeal
- G.S., Sex Charges- Charges Dismissed
- Steve E, Forgery- Charges Dismissed
- Steve W, Child Abuse- Charges Dismissed
- Lewis W, Domestic Violence- Charges Dismissed
- Ken F., Fraud- Charges Dismissed
- Anthony R, Assault Weapons- Charges Dismissed
- F.P., Arson- Charges Dismissed
- Derek F, Riot- Charges Dismissed
Ciro A. Spina, III, Esq.
Ciro A. Spina, III, Esq., is the firm's managing attorney for the firm's New Jersey-Northern Region. Ciro graduated from Glen Ridge High School and attended Fairleigh Dickenson University in Madison, New Jersey. Ciro graduated from FDU with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and Economics. He then attended the Quinnipiac College School of Law where he studied litigation and earned his Juris Doctorate.
While attending law school, Ciro supplemented his litigation studies with real world experience by working as a law clerk for a well known firm in Bergen County and a Solo Practioner who is now a Judge in Superior Court. In 2002, Ciro began working as an associate for a defense firm in Passaic County where he primarily handled litigation cases. He was also responsible for the representation of over 7,000 Fraternal Order of Police members. Ciro then moved to a law firm in Clifton in 2006. There he was responsible for representing all of the firms criminal defense matters. It was also during this time that Ciro became the attorney for FOP Lodge 30, Monmouth County Superior Officers, who he continues to represent today.
Ciro joined the Law Offices of Jef Henninger in 2012 where he continues to represent a wide range of criminal law cases primarily in Northern New Jersey. His case work includes, but is not limited to: violent crimes, drug cases, weapons cases, DWI, domestic violence matters and municipal court cases.
Bar Admissions:
- New Jersey
- U.S. District Court District of New Jersey
Awards:
- 2007 FOP Lodge 106 Superior Officers Lodge for Benevolent Efforts and Stellar Work Ethic
- 2011 FOP Lodge 30 Monmouth County Superiors' Person of the Year
Joe Compitello, Esq.
Joe Compitello, Esq. is the managing attorney of the firm's New Jersey-Southern Region as well as the firm's Pennsylvania-East Region. Joe grew up in the Mercer County area of New Jersey. He graduated high school from the Lawrenceville School in 1999 and four years later, from Lafayette College in 2003. At Lafayette, he obtained his Bachelor of Arts in Government and Law and was a member of their Division 1 baseball team. In February 2007, Joseph received his Juris Doctorate from New York Law School. Mr. Compitello scored among the top 10% on the Pennsylvania bar exam and as a result, obtained an essay grading position for the bar preparatory course, Barbri. Joseph began his legal career in 2005 working as a law clerk and subsequently as an associate for a law firm in Trenton.
During that time, he was exposed to a myriad of litigation. Additionally, he aided in the defense of worker's compensation claims for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority. Most significantly, he co-wrote the winning brief in the published appellate case, Golden v. GMAC, 401 N.J. Super. 198 (2008) which redefined the statute of limitations for uninsured motorist claims. Subsequent to his time in Trenton, he worked in a criminal defense firm in Bucks County, Pennsylvania, gaining important experience in Pennsylvania courts to complement his New Jersey court experience. Following his time in Pennsylvania, Joe returned to New Jersey to work for firms where he handled criminal matters and other litigation.
Professionally, Joseph is admitted to practice in both the New Jersey and Pennsylvania state courts as well as the U.S. District Courts for the District of New Jersey and Easter District of Pennsylvania. He is a member of the American Bar Association, New Jersey State Bar Association, Mercer County Bar Association, and Pennsylvania Bar Association. He represents clients in all criminal law matters includingviolent crimes, drug cases, weapons cases, DWI, domestic violence matters and municipal court cases as well as all other criminal matters in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Bar Admissions:
- Pennsylvania
- New Jersey
- U.S. District Court District of New Jersey
Fraternity:
Ilham Shaikh, Esq.
Ilham Shaikh, Esq. is an associate with the Law Offices of Jef Henninger, Esq. Ilham received her BA in Political Science from Rutgers, the State University of New Jersey where she received academic honors. Ms. Shaikh received her J.D. from Rutgers Camden School of Law. She is a New Jersey certified mediator and has mediated various cases ranging from contract disputes to municipal court matters. She has also served as an intern to the Honorable Angelo DiCamillo, J.S.C. Her further legal experience includes working as an associate for the New Jersey Office of the Attorney General in the DYFS division as well as for the New Jersey Office of the Public Defender in the Special Hearings Unit. During law school, she gained clinical experience in the Children's Justice Clinic regarding juvenile matters. Ms. Shaikh has also interned for the New Jersey Office of the Public Advocate in the Mental Health Unit as well as the Office of Dispute Settlement.
Ilham's criminal practices focuses on child abuse, domestic violence, drug cases, DWI and municipal court maters. She is fluent in Hindi and Urdu.
Bar Admissions:
- State of New Jersey
- U.S. District Court of New Jersey
Carly Steinberg, Esq.
Carly Steinberg, Esq. is an associate with the Law Offices of Jef Henninger, Esq. She grew up in the Monmouth County area of New Jersey and she graduated high school from Marlboro High School. She obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Criminology and Criminal Justice from the University of Maryland where she graduated cum laude. Carly received her Juris Doctorate from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. While pursuing her law degree from Cardozo School of Law, Carly served as an Editor of Cardozo's Journal of Conflict Resolution. In addition, she was a member of Cardozo's Family Court and Divorce Mediation Clinics, and served as a Judicial Intern to the Honorable Louis B. York of the Supreme Court, Civil Branch, New York County.
In addition to child abuse, domestic violence, drug cases, DWI and municipal court maters, Carly assists Jef Henninger with some of the firm's most complex criminal defense matters.
Bar Admissions:
- State of New Jersey-2011
- U.S. District Court of New Jersey-2011
- State of New York-2012
Sorority:
- Phi Sigma Sigma, Standards Chair
