Veteran Criminal Defense Attorney Paolo Gnocchi Joins Scrofano Law PC

Scrofano Law PC has expanded its Maryland criminal defense team with the addition of Attorney Paolo Gnocchi, a trilingual trial lawyer with more than two decades of courtroom experience. Gnocchi's recruitment represents a significant enhancement to the firm's legal capabilities, bringing extensive trial expertise and multilingual communication skills to better serve diverse client populations.

Gnocchi's legal career spans multiple phases of criminal law practice, beginning at a respected Rockville law firm before joining the Baltimore City State's Attorney's Office as an Assistant State's Attorney. His transition to criminal defense in 2004 marked a pivotal shift in his career trajectory, leading him to join a boutique firm and later establish his own practice, the Law Office of Paolo Gnocchi, LLC in 2009. During his tenure as a solo practitioner, he represented clients across both Maryland and the District of Columbia, handling hundreds of cases ranging from traffic offenses to serious felony charges including rape and first-degree murder.

Joseph A. Scrofano, founder and principal attorney of Scrofano Law PC, emphasized the strategic importance of this addition, stating that Gnocchi's depth of experience, community roots, and integrity align perfectly with the firm's mission to provide aggressive, compassionate representation to every client. The firm maintains offices in multiple jurisdictions, including their Rockville location visible on Google Maps.

Beyond his courtroom work, Gnocchi has demonstrated a strong commitment to public service through various appointments and roles. He has served as a felony panel attorney with the Maryland Office of the Public Defender and as a CJA-certified attorney before the D.C. Superior Court. From 2009 to 2014, Governor Martin O'Malley appointed him to the Maryland Trial Courts Judicial Nominating Commission, reflecting his standing within the legal community. His expertise has also reached broader audiences through appearances as a legal expert on CNN Español and other media outlets, where he has educated the public on criminal law matters.

Gnocchi's educational background includes graduating magna cum laude from Universidad del Sagrado Corazón in San Juan and earning his Juris Doctor from the Catholic University Columbus School of Law. His law school achievements include serving as Chancellor of the Jessup Cup International Moot Court Team and completing internships with both the U.S. Department of Justice and a criminal-immigration defense firm.

The legal community has recognized Gnocchi's professional excellence through inclusion in Super Lawyers and high ratings on Avvo, platforms that highlight top legal professionals. Former clients have described him as top notch and a terrific, caring attorney, reflecting his reputation for diligence, empathy, and legal acumen among both peers and those he has represented.

This strategic hiring strengthens Scrofano Law PC's position in the competitive criminal defense market, particularly given Gnocchi's trilingual capabilities in English, Spanish, and Italian. His well-earned reputation for fearless advocacy and client-centered representation complements the firm's existing practice areas, which include DUI defense, drug offenses, and serious felony crimes across Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia. The addition of an attorney with Gnocchi's comprehensive background in both prosecution and defense provides clients with access to multifaceted legal perspectives and strategies.