For over 15 years, I have dedicated my career to representing clients in family law—fighting for parents, protecting children, and navigating the complex legal needs of families across New Jersey. I’ve served more than 2,500 clients in some of the most emotionally intense and legally complicated matters imaginable. Many of those cases were during the hardest times in our state’s history—particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic, when uncertainty, stress, and family strain were at all-time highs.

I am immensely proud of the record I built. I’m proud of the results I achieved for my clients—often alone, without the backing of a large firm, political connections, or institutional support. I built my law firm from the ground up, case by case, with a deep respect for the law and an unwavering commitment to justice.

That is why it has been so painful to witness the wave of misinformation, sensationalized coverage, and one-sided narratives that have circulated about me.

Let me be absolutely clear: the vast majority—approximately 90%—of the claims filed against me are entirely fabricated. Unfortunately, I was not made aware of most of these claims until after a suspension was already imposed. Once suspended, I was no longer legally permitted to work on cases for which I had already been contracted. Clients I could no longer represent expected and deserved refunds, and I intended to deliver those. But when my law firm’s bank account was abruptly closed during this crisis, I was prevented from returning funds in the way I normally would have. That is not an excuse—it’s an explanation. And I remain committed to resolving the valid claims that exist by reimbursing the Client Protection Fund fully.

Let’s be honest: family law is an emotional and adversarial area of practice. It often involves deeply personal issues—divorce, custody, abuse, financial ruin, parental alienation—and not every client is happy, even with a favorable outcome. But even with that in mind, I have only had disputes with about 2% of clients throughout my entire career. In any profession, that is an extraordinarily low number—especially one as volatile as family litigation.

Yet, media outlets like NJ.com and the New Jersey Law Journal have published articles that tell a very different story. They’ve cherry-picked narratives, ignored facts, and plastered inflammatory headlines across the internet—all without ever speaking with me directly or seeking to understand the truth. It’s low-grade journalism masquerading as accountability. These outlets failed to investigate the context of the complaints or the timeline of events. They failed to ask: What happened during COVID-19? How did the courts, lawyers, and clients suffer during a once-in-a-generation crisis? And most importantly: Who benefits from tearing down a solo practitioner who served his clients with passion and personal sacrifice?

The truth is, I never once solicited a client. I am not a personal injury lawyer cold-calling accident victims. Divorce clients do not come from police reports or online scraping—they come from referrals, reputation, and real results. Those who claim otherwise are lying. Family law clients are not publicly accessible through any searchable database, and only the client and the court are privy to the existence of those cases.

Furthermore, I am not a political figure, and I do not belong to any powerful firm or institutional clique. I have never received protection, privilege, or preferential treatment. I am just a lawyer who worked harder than most—longer hours, tougher cases, more volume. I represented immigrants, low-income families, single mothers, and fathers fighting for the right to see their children. I did it because I believed in the power of advocacy and because clients trusted me when others turned them away.

If I’ve made any mistake, it’s believing that hard work and good outcomes would be enough to shield me from jealousy, resentment, and institutional politics. I now see that being successful as a solo practitioner also makes you a target—especially when you’re independent, unapologetic, and not aligned with political or bar association agendas.

To the clients I could not return funds to in time—I am truly sorry. That was never my intention, and I will make that right.

To the disciplinary authorities—I understand your job is difficult. But you must also recognize the weight of your power, and how believing unverified allegations—especially those from people who received successful representation—can destroy livelihoods and reputations without cause.

To my peers in the legal profession: I urge you not to be quick to judge. One day, it could be you or someone you respect. We must remember due process, context, and humanity in how we evaluate our own.

To my family, friends, and loyal clients who continue to support me through this—thank you. Your faith in me fuels my resolve to fight back, clear my name, and return stronger and more committed than ever before.

I am not ashamed of my record—I am proud of it. I’ve walked through fire for my clients. I’ve delivered justice where others failed. And I will continue to fight for what’s right, not because it’s easy, but because it’s who I am.

Thank you for taking the time to hear the full story—not just the headlines.

With sincerity,

Santo V. Artusa Jr., Esq.