Sean M. Pena

Sean M. Pena is a Partner at Scarinci Hollenbeck, LLC, where his practice encompasses commercial and civil litigation, with a focus on the defense of public entities and their employees. He serves as trusted counsel to municipalities, school boards, and public officials confronting claims under the New Jersey Tort Claims Act, the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, and 42 U.S.C. § 1983, guiding clients through the complex legal landscape of employment disputes, civil rights claims, and tort actions that define the daily legal exposure of public sector clients.

Sean also represents a broad base of private clients across a wide spectrum of matters, including personal injury, employment litigation, director and officer liability, construction defect, liquor liability, and products liability. His litigation experience spans both state and federal courts across New Jersey, giving clients the benefit of a practitioner equally at home in the Superior Court and before the federal bench.

Sean rounds out his practice with a focus on defense in high-profile criminal matters, including white-collar defense, government investigations, and crisis and reputation management. He is known for his ability to assess complex, fast-moving situations and deliver sound, strategic counsel when clients need it most, providing the kind of clear-eyed judgment and decisive action that high-stakes matters demand.

Before joining Scarinci Hollenbeck, Sean served as a Judicial Law Clerk to the Honorable Ernest M. Caposela, A.J.S.C., in Passaic County. This experience provided him with an intimate understanding of how courts evaluate evidence, weigh credibility, and decide contested matters at trial. That perspective continues to inform his strategic approach to litigation today.

In the fall 2026 semester, Sean brings that same courtroom perspective into the classroom as an Adjunct Professor in the Department of Political Science and Law at Montclair State University, where he teaches Perspectives on Law: Theoretical Foundations and Practical Applications of United States Legal Systems. The course pairs foundational legal theory with real case studies, helping students understand how courts resolve conflict and how the rule of law is applied in practice.

Sean is admitted to practice in New Jersey, the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, and the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. He earned his J.D. from New York Law School in 2009, where he was honored with the Community Service Award at commencement, and his B.A. in International Relations from Dartmouth College in 2004, where he was an Endowed Scholar and a member of the varsity football team.

Beyond the courtroom, Sean is deeply rooted in the local community. He is an Executive Board Member of the Bergen Catholic Football Alumni Club, a volunteer coach for the Bergen County All Stars, and the Associate Head Basketball Coach at Dwight-Englewood School, reflecting a commitment to mentorship and community leadership that extends well beyond the practice of law.