By: Jeremy Murphy
Arthur Aidala has spent more than three decades in criminal law, representing clients in federal and state courts across the country. He is an attorney, a managing partner, a legal analyst, a radio host, a former prosecutor, a husband, and a father. But when asked what his main focus is right now, Aidala does not start with a celebrity case or a television appearance.
“The big thing that I’m working on right now, honestly, is managing the law firm,” he says.
That law firm is Aidala, Bertuna & Kamins, PC, known for high-profile defendants, complicated cases, and a willingness to step into storms that other lawyers might avoid. As the manager of criminal cases, civil litigation, appeals, and corporate matters, Aidala believes the firm’s strength is not simply its fearlessness, but its range, its honesty, and its culture.
Long before he began defending high-profile clients in New York, Aidala was a prosecutor. As a senior assistant district attorney in Kings County, he tried dozens of felony cases, from murder and rape to burglary and gun cases, during one of the most crime-ridden periods in New York City history.
That experience continues to shape his approach to criminal defense. He understands how prosecutors think because he once stood in their shoes.
“There are prosecutors who wield that power responsibly,” he says. “And then there are those who you have to fight as hard as you can because they are abusing it.”
One case of Aidala’s remains especially personal: a New York City crane collapse. Seven people died, and prosecutors were under enormous pressure to find someone criminally responsible. Aidala represented crane operator William Rapetti, who was offered a plea deal that would have resulted in roughly a year behind bars. Convinced his client was innocent, Aidala immersed himself in the technical details of crane operation. The pressure leading up to the verdict was overwhelming. “The day before was the first time I ever had stomach distress,” he recalls.
When the verdict was finally reached, the courtroom was packed with family members, crane workers, prosecutors, reporters, and spectators. Rapetti was found not guilty, and that acquittal changed his life. “I opened up a door and it was a broom closet,” Aidala recalls. “And I just fell on my knees and I was hysterically crying.”
Years later, Aidala attended two of Rapetti’s daughters’ weddings. Every July 22, the anniversary of the verdict, he still receives a text message from his former client.
Despite the intensity of this work, Aidala rejects the stereotype of the cold, corporate law office. At the firm, there are birthday celebrations, lunch gatherings, and spontaneous legal debates. Lawyers routinely seek each other’s opinions on cases. The firm’s radio studio often becomes an impromptu gathering place whenever a major legal story breaks. Aidala hosts The Arthur Aidala Power Hour every weekday evening on AM970 The Answer. During broadcasts, colleagues regularly join him to discuss important legal developments.
“I try to create an environment that encourages camaraderie and collaboration because I think it’s in the best interests of the clients,” he says.
That culture is how Aidala ensures the firm will thrive long after he steps away. He actively pushes younger attorneys into leadership roles, giving them courtroom opportunities, media exposure, and responsibility. Recently, a federal judge asked why Aidala sat quietly in the back of a courtroom during an important proceeding. The answer was simple. The hearing belonged to one of his younger lawyers. “I don’t want them to have to need me,” he says. “I’m trying to create a little bit of a legacy.” In his view, the ultimate measure of success would be seeing the practice continue decades after his retirement. Attorneys such as Imran Ansari, Michael Jaccarino, and Lino De Masi are examples of the next generation he hopes will lead the firm.
Away from work, Aidala’s greatest joys are remarkably simple: family, friends, and community. He remains close with friends from kindergarten. He speaks passionately about his wife, longtime law partner, and soulmate, Marianne Bertuna, and their children.
Recently, he hosted 50 people at his home for Father’s Day. His father, who is approaching 88, sat surrounded by friends. Across the yard, Aidala’s young daughter splashed into the water. “You pinch yourself about how lucky I am,” he says.
Arthur Aidala has spent decades handling some of the most difficult cases in America. He has represented controversial clients, won appeals in high-profile cases, and secured life-changing acquittals. Yet perhaps his most enduring achievement will not be a verdict or a headline. It may be the culture, community, and legacy he is building at Aidala, Bertuna & Kamins, a place where lawyers care deeply, clients feel heard, and the next generation is already preparing to carry the torch.
