Fredonia attorney James P. Subjack has been named the New York 2011 Superlawyers Upstate Edition as one of the top lawyers in the area of criminal defense. No more than 5 percent of the lawyers in the state are selected by Superlawyers.
The upstate edition includes 50 counties west of New York City. Inclusion is based upon a state wide survey of lawyers, independent research to identify outstanding lawyers, evaluation of candidates based upon 12 indicators of peer recognition and profession achievement and a blue ribbon panel review.
"I am extremely honored to be recognized by my peers state and region wide to be included among the elite of criminal defense lawyers,'' Subjack said. ''I have striven throughout my career in both defense and prosecution to be fully prepared, thorough and tenacious in my representation."
Subjack was district attorney of Chautauqua County, first being elected in 1993 and retiring in 2005. During his tenure, he successfully prosecuted Nushawn William, the H.I.V. predator and convicted numerous individuals charged with murder after jury trial. He successfully had convicted Alabama child murdered William Shank returned to custody after several attempts had failed prior to Subjack's term of office. He is the immediate past president of the Criminal Justice Section of the New York State Bar Association having served two years in that position and currently serves on the Executive Committee of the section, which is comprised of 1,500 of the top judges, prosecutors and criminal lawyers of the state.
In 2009, Subjack was elected a fellow of the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, the highest distinction that can be achieved in that organization. He has lectured both nationally and state-wide on criminal justice issues.
Subjack lives in Fredonia with his wife Janel. They are the parents of two adult children.