A native of New York City, Pontell attended the School of Visual Arts, studying film and television.
After graduation, he worked as a film editor on features such as The Exorcist and long-form documentaries for both CBS News and public television.
[1] In 1981 Pontell relocated to Los Angeles and edited episodic television series including Hill Street Blues, Hooperman, Northern Exposure, and Moonlighting.
Pontell produced and directed for David E. Kelley on Boston Public from 2000 to 2004.
He was an executive producer of Kelley's first reality program, The Law Firm.