Paul J. Cambria, Jr. is recognized as one of the nation’s preeminent attorneys. He focuses his practice in the areas of criminal trials, criminal appeals, constitutional law, First Amendment law, zoning and land use, antitrust, and professional licensing defense.
Mr. Cambria has built a strong reputation for successfully representing individuals and businesses in complex, high-profile cases at all levels of the courts, including state, federal, and the United States Supreme Court.
Mr. Cambria’s practice is nationwide, and he divides his time between the firm’s offices in Buffalo and Los Angeles. He has represented many prominent individuals, including the publisher Larry Flynt and musicians DMX and Marilyn Manson.
Mr. Cambria has argued several cases before the United States Supreme Court.
Speaking Engagements
•New York State Bar Association
•First Amendment Trial Lawyers Association
Awards and Recognitions
The Best Lawyers in America
Named to Best Lawyers in America from 1983 to 2024. Named to Best Lawyers for Criminal Defense: General Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, First Amendment Law, Land Use and Zoning Law, Litigation-First Amendment, and Litigation-Land Use and Zoning
Best Lawyers Lawyer of the Year 2013
Named “Litigation-Land Use and Zoning Lawyer of the Year” by Best Lawyers in America
AV Rated by Martindale-Hubbell
The highest peer rating standard. This rating signifies that a large number of the lawyer’s peers rank him or her at the highest level of professional excellence for their legal knowledge, communication skills and ethical standards.
Legal Elite of Western New York
Named to Business First/Buffalo Law Journal‘s Legal Elite of Western New York
Nation’s Top One Percent
Selected to membership in the Nation’s Top One Percent by the National Association of Distinguished Counsel for 2015
Super Lawyers
Named to Upstate New York Super Lawyers for Criminal Defense from 2007 to 2023; no more than 5 percent of attorneys in any state are named to this publication.
America’s Top 100 Attorneys: Lifetime Achievement Membership
One of 100 attorneys in New York State selected based on professional experience, case results, peer reputation, community impact, and lifetime achievement
The National Trial Lawyers Top 100
Named to National Trial Lawyers: Top 100, an invitation-only organization composed of the premier trial lawyers from each state in the nation who meet stringent qualifications
Power 250
Named to list of Western New York’s 250 most influential people in 2014-2025 by Business First
The Order of the Coif
Named a member of The Order of the Coif. The Order of the Coif is an honorary scholastic society the purpose of which is to encourage excellence in legal education by fostering a spirit of careful study, recognizing those who as law students attained a high grade of scholarship, and honoring those who as lawyers, judges and teachers attained high distinction for their scholarly or professional accomplishments.
Who’s Who in Law
Named to Business First/Buffalo Law Journal‘s “Who’s Who in Law” for Criminal Defense, including the final issue in 2012
In the News
Local and national media regularly turn to Paul Cambria to provide analysis on various legal matters in the headlines. In addition, Mr. Cambria represents clients in high profile legal matters. Below are links to some of the stories featuring legal analysis or comments from Mr. Cambria.
Legal Issues Surrounding Sexual Harassment Allegations, legal analysis for WBEN
Apple Aiding FBI in Decryption of Texas Shooter’s Phone, legal analysis for WBEN
Manafort, Gates Indicted in Russia Investigation, legal analysis for WBEN
Colin Kaepernick’s NFL Lawsuit, legal analysis for WGRZ and WBEN
New Anti-Bullying Law in North Tonawanda, legal analysis for WGRZ
Paladino Removal Could Be Appealed, legal analysis for the Buffalo News
WNED Suing Reading Rainbow’s LeVar Burton, legal analysis for WBEN
O.J. Simpson’s Parole Hearing, legal analysis for WIVB
Paladino Hearing Continues, legal analysis for WBEN
Fatal Police Encounter in Buffalo, legal analysis for WBEN
Paladino Lawsuit Against Board of Education, legal analysis for WBEN
Republican Efforts to Confirm Gorsuch, legal analysis for WBEN
Immigration Ban Update Expected Soon, legal analysis for WBEN
Immigration Ban Stayed in Court of Appeals, legal analysis for WBEN
Erie County Sues Drug Manufacturers, legal analysis for WBEN
President Trump Announces Gorsuch as Supreme Court Nominee, legal analysis for WBEN
Abortion in the New York State Constitution, legal analysis for WGRZ
President Trump’s Executive Orders and Supreme Court Picks, legal analysis for WBEN
Comments on Chelsea Manning and Carl Paladino, legal analysis for WBEN
Controversy Over Paladino’s Statements, legal analysis for WGRZ
Dylann Roof Representing Himself in Penalty Phase of Trial, legal analysis for WBEN
(Also at Los Angeles, California Office)
Distinguished: An excellent rating for a lawyer with some experience. This rating indicates the attorney is widely
respected by their peers for high professional achievement and ethical standards.
Notable: This rating indicates that the lawyer has been recognized by a large number of their peers for strong ethical standards.
He is a top flight lawyer.
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