Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2021 
Reuben Cahn is a trial lawyer with decades of experience handling complex litigation, white-collar criminal defense matters, appeals, and high-stakes jury trials. Based in San Clemente, California, Mr. Cahn represents clients through Bienert Katzman Littrell Williams LLP in matters involving Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, and Legal Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs. He has tried more than 100 cases to jury verdict and has argued twice before the United States Supreme Court, in addition to numerous appearances before the Ninth and Eleventh Circuit Courts of Appeals.
Mr. Cahn graduated from Stanford University’s English Honors Program and earned his law degree from Yale Law School, where he served as an editor of the Yale Law Journal. Following law school, he clerked for the Honorable Lawrence W. Pierce of the United States Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit.
He began his legal career in New York with Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz and later practiced at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison, focusing on securities litigation and international arbitration. He later transitioned to public service as a public defender in both Florida state court and federal court, representing clients in matters ranging from capital murder to securities fraud. Mr. Cahn went on to serve as Chief Assistant Federal Public Defender for the Southern District of Florida before becoming Executive Director of Federal Defenders of San Diego.
While leading the San Diego office, Mr. Cahn continued to handle trials and appeals while overseeing approximately 140 employees and a multi-million-dollar budget. He argued two cases before the United States Supreme Court, served as learned counsel in the case of United States v. Loughner, and helped lead efforts that resulted in the release of two detainees held at Guantanamo Bay Naval Base.
Mr. Cahn has also served in leadership roles within the federal defender community, including ten years as one of two representatives to the Judicial Conference of the United States. The Chief Justice of the United States appointed him to the Judicial Conference’s special committee reviewing the Criminal Justice Act. He has also chaired the Magistrate Judges Selection Committee for the Southern District of Florida and has received multiple awards recognizing his courtroom advocacy and public service.
Throughout his career, Mr. Cahn has represented clients in a broad range of white-collar criminal defense matters involving allegations of tax offenses, public corruption, fraud, money laundering, RICO violations, and Continuing Criminal Enterprise charges. He has also served as lead counsel in federal capital cases, including matters resulting in acquittals and life verdicts rather than capital punishment. Federal judges have appointed him as “counsel learned in the law” in more than 15 capital trial cases.
At Bienert Katzman Littrell Williams LLP, Mr. Cahn focuses his practice on Commercial Litigation, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Legal Malpractice Law - Plaintiffs, and appellate matters. He represents businesses, professionals, and individuals in state and federal courts throughout California and across the country.
