Gary Donatello
Gary Donatello assumed the Presidency of the APANJ in October of 2026. He is the longest serving member of the APANJ, having first been elected as a Trustee statewide in 2017. Since then, he has had the privilege of being elected to the positions of Secretary (2022) and Vice President (2025). He looks forward to advocating on behalf of all assistant prosecutors throughout New Jersey.
Gary has been an Assistant Prosecutor at the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office for over 12 years. Presently, Gary serves as the Chief of the Cyber/Financial Crimes Unit where he prosecutes crimes involving the internet and technology. As Chief, he also oversees investigations into criminal enterprises within the digital realm. He served five years in the Special Victims Unit, seeking justice for victims of sexual violence and child endangerment. He has also served as the prosecutor for all Megan’s Law proceedings in Bergen County. Throughout his career, Gary has successfully tried a number of cases to verdict involving crimes such as: homicide, desecration of human remains, arson, firearms-related crimes, kidnapping, impersonation, forgery, sexual assault, aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and the sale of large quantities of narcotics. He is most proud of his zealous advocacy on behalf of the citizens of Bergen County and all victims of criminal violence.
Prior to joining the Prosecutor’s Office, Gary served as an attorney for a large law firm representing municipal entities in general liability litigation. He served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Mark M. Russello, J.S.C. in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Bergen County vicinage. While earning his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, he concentrated in Intellectual Property Law. Gary graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Communication with a minor in History. He is a certified civil mediator recognized by the State of New Jersey.
Gary is a passionate instructor at the Law & Public Safety Institute in Mahwah, New Jersey where he lectures new and experienced law enforcement officers. Gary also serves as an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University School of Law, specializing in the area of Persuasion & Advocacy.