Steady, industrious and with a long record of successes, Joseph O'Neill is one of the most able and respected leaders of modern New Jersey trial law. Based in bucolic Vineland, N.J., for more than 30 years - well away from the legal throngs in North Jersey and Philadelphia - O'Neill built a national reputation as a thorough litigator with an impressive record - both in criminal and civil law. Indeed, the Bayonne, N.J., native holds what's likely a record or sorts: More than 260 cases of his have gone to verdict in his career(including one with his partner, Chuck Coant, before the U.S. Supreme Court, in 2000, on which drew national publicity and changed U.S. sentencing guidelines as well laws in 38 states.) O'Neill went to law school only after a prospective employer, reviewing an aptitude test, suggested he set his sights higher. After law school, O'Neill joined a South Jersey firm, trying 18 cases in his first year. In time Vineland grew on him. "Everyone is a polite, and the lawyers are gentlemanly warriors." Colleagues in the trial bar describe O'Neill the same way: Civil, always well prepared, and a lawyer's lawyer. Further, O'Neill has for many years supported south Jersey's Legal Aid Society and has worked several cases pro bono, reflecting his egalitarian instincts. Much of his career he's spent as a sole practitioner. Today, his practice focuses on medical malpractice, product liability and personal injury negligence cases. Of course he continues to work some criminal cases, and has represented many in law enforcement cases over the years. His firm today has nine staffers, including two attorneys, and his trial work extends throughout the region.