James E. McElhone graduated from the University of Buffalo's Law School in May of 1986, successfully took the New York State Bar exam in August of 1986, and promptly began his career as an Assistant District Attorney in Suffolk County.  After initially handling misdemeanors and traffic in the District Court Bureau, Mr. McElhone took part in a special North Amityville Task Force which involved working directly out of the Suffolk Police Department's First Precinct at night, where drug and prostitution arrests would immediately lead to search warrants being prepared and executed in the early hours of the following morning.  Robbery, burglary and vehicular homicide cases were handled on a daily basis in the Major Crimes Bureau, and after a final stop in the White Collar Crime Bureau, Mr. McElhone left for private practice in August, 1989.

Defending negligence cases on behalf of people insured by the Travelers Insurance Company was the full-time duty of Mr. McElhone during 1989 and 1990, followed by a five year commitment to a midsized general practice firm in Patchogue.

After handling many personal injury claims on behalf of injured persons and representing people accused of crimes on a daily basis, including jury trials in both the Supreme Courts in the negligence area and the District and County Court on the criminal areas, Mr. McElhone and his partner, Janine A. Barbera, Esq. relocated their practices and formed Barbera & McElhone, P.C. in Miller Place, New York in January, 1996,

For over ten (10) years, Mr. McElhone has practiced out of this location representing injured people as they protect their rights and seek their just compensation versus the large insurance companies, as well as representing people accused of virtually everything from traffic infractions to major felonies.