Jim Harrington spoke out as a representative of the Western New York criminal defense bar in response to an ad paid for by the New York State Democratic Committee criticizing a candidate for the New York Senate because of his work as a criminal defense lawyer. Harrington was the lead person quoted in this Buffalo News Article. One of the several quoted from Jim is the following:

"It's not just upsetting because it attacks our profession, but under the U. S. Constitution, every individual charged with a crime is entitled to a defense," said Harrington, who contacted The Buffalo News after receiving the ad.