Stephen L. Petrillo

The vast majority of judges work long and hard. Not Judge Petrillo. He is arrogant - which is bad enough at any time. But to be arrogant while reading nothing is even more troubling. Also doesn't even bother to try to conceal his bias for politically powerful attorneys/firms. Not what a judge should be.

Appearing before this judge (after 40+ years of practice) was like a flashback to a time when judges commanded and expected respect, punctuality, and preparation. Whatever he may lack in smarts he makes up for in preparation, and he will tell you that which is refreshing in its own way. When technical medical and anatomical terms were used by the lawyers he stopped them to tell them he had no idea what those words meant and wanted it explained because he was "just a regular lawyer" not a doctor. Personally, I liked how he gave the tardy lawyers a hard time for not calling to say they were stuck in traffic (because I was on time and was annoyed having to wait 35 mins without explanation) and for telling the one lawyer who said, "this is not my case" that "in fact it is your case because you are the one here." It is clear he comes from an era of no nonsense and may have been trained (and traumatized) as a young lawyer by tough old birds. He got it mostly right and has no patience for sloppiness. In this day and age someone like him is definitely going to be misunderstood as a hard ass. He would have been a softie by 1985 standards.

Horrible mean he bully's black women

This judge is as racist and prejudiced as it gets.

Terrible Judge - arrogant and lazy. Does not read and is rude.

Judge Petrillo is extremely spiteful. He will call his other judges to dismiss your case before hearing it during the proof hearings. I sincerely hope these reviews will enact some change and humility, but I doubt it.

Wait one second before you form an opinion about Judge Petrillo from these reviews. I googled him looking for his chambers telephone number and these reviews came up and I had to comment. I am a young, female lawyer (under 10 years in practice) and I have appeared before Judge Petrillo a few times. He is a nice man. He can be stern but he is very respectful and lets everyone talk. He will tell you if he disagrees with you and will engage you (the partner I report to says this style was much more common years ago) and some people are not up to it. He is not arrogant but he is all business but always courteous. He is not what some of these people have said at all. I think there are some sore losers writing these reviews.

Warning! If you are going to Essex on complex business cases this judge is nothing like his predecessor on this docket. Not that it’s a bad thing but be prepared for a totally different style and SPEED. He is turning this into the rocket docket he also likes to get involved in settlement. Be ready for a very different approach to case management. He is nice enough but has little patience for delay.

I've dealt with civil judges in all counties in NJ, PA, and NC. Judge Petrillo is, by far, is the most pompous, self-aggrandizing, bias, vindictive judges I've had the complete regret and displeasure of dealing with. He does not perform his duties with honor. In fact, he seethes when you prove his arrogant self, wrong. His side kick, Passive Aggressive Passamano is a close second. These two ruin the reputation of the Superior Court Judges in Essex county. Quite unfortunate because there are a few honorable judges that deserve the recognition for the fair work that they do.

The judge has the most thankless job in the judiciary running the busiest hosing court docket in the state. Now that housing court is back in person full time I have observed him handle every kind of housing case and a good number of other sometimes complex civil motions in between. He can settle just about any housing case as has more patience with many self represented people than I can fathom. He talks to people in a way that really tries to engage them (though I think he’s wasting his time sometimes). The judge is really into his job. He knows that law and he seems like a friendly person. He’s respectful to everyone and the regulars in housing court, lawyers for tenants and landlords, all really seem to like and respect him.

Not nearly as smart as he thinks...