Best Lawyers in America for Criminal Defense: General Practice
Select a location from the list below to find the best legal talent for your needs.
State
Kathryn S. Wallrabenstein is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Kathryn S., who practices law in Columbus, Ohio, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kathryn S. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Lee Vartan is a highly regarded criminal defense and trial attorney who handles high-stakes investigations and litigation in New Jersey and throughout the region. He regularly represents individuals in significant prosecutions brought by U.S. Attorneys’ Offices, Attorney Generals’ Offices, and local prosecutors, as well as companies in high-stakes investigations brought by criminal and civil regulators. Clients choose Lee not only because he has successfully tried more than a doze...
With 25+ years of experience in government investigations and white-collar defense, Brian Kelly is a nationally recognized former federal prosecutor and high-profile trial attorney. Brian has tried numerous federal cases including, most notably, U.S. v. James “Whitey” Bulger . His seasoned judgment and strategic counsel comes from decades of experience in the U.S. Attorney’s Office in both Boston and San Diego. Brian defends corporations and executives in federal and state i...
Matthew R. Kachergus has devoted his career to representing a wide array of clients ranging from the criminally accused, those whose constitutional rights have been violated, to numerous others needing counsel for civil litigation. As a result of Mr. Kachergus’ tireless efforts in advocating for the interest of his clients, he is listed in Best Lawyers in America, in the fields of white collar and non-white collar criminal defense law , as well as Super Lawyers. Mr. Kachergus is a membe...
Jen is an experienced and compassionate criminal defense attorney whose practice focuses on achieving the best possible outcome for each client. While she appreciates that each case is unique, she knows that zealous advocacy always starts with the same thing: compassionately listening to her client. She understands that trust is the cornerstone of any attorney-client relationship and takes great care to establish trust with each client through thoughtful and clear communication. Over the cour...
Matt is a graduate from the University of Notre Dame, where he was a member of the Men’s Varsity Basketball Team. He received his Juris Doctorate from Arizona State University in 2003. Matt is a shareholder focusing his practice in plaintiff’s catastrophic personal injury and wrongful death and criminal law. In his nearly ten years as a lawyer, Matt has distinguished himself in the courtroom and the community. He is passionate about his clients and dedicated to seeking justice on ...
Mark D. Jicka was admitted to the Mississippi Bar in 1991. He is currently on the Steering Committee for DRI's Products Liability Committee and serves as the Expert Witness Chair for that Committee. His practice focuses on defending manufacturers at trial and on appeal. He has handled cases for clients in Mississippi, Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas, Louisiana and Kentucky. His cases of note include Bailey v. Lockheed Martin Corp., 261 Fed. Appx. 713, 2008 U.S. App. LEXIS 1006, January 17, 2008;...
For almost twenty years, Scott Hamblin has litigated cases in Circuit Courts and United States District Courts throughout Missouri. Scott regularly practices in the areas of family law, divorce, child custody, paternity, child custody modifications, State and Federal Criminal defense including drug trafficking, drug possession, firearm offenses, sexual crimes, money laundering, driving while intoxicated (DWI/DUI), and manslaughter. As a former Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, Scott has gained ...
Christopher (Chris) McHugh defends individuals and businesses in civil and criminal litigation in Kansas and Missouri, focusing particularly on the construction and transportation industries. His representation spans from state to federal regulatory, trial, and appellate work. In one of his cases, Chris achieved a historic victory that helped determine the law applicable to moon rocks.
Michael A. Robinson is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Robinson Law, PLLC, and he brings a distinguished record of public service and litigation experience to his current role. After earning his J.D. from Regent University School of Law in 2006, he began his legal career as a prosecutor in the City of Newport News and later in Fauquier County, Virginia. In Newport News, he was assigned to the Juvenile & Domestic Relations team and prosecuted nearly 1,000 cases in Juvenile and D...
Richard Kaplan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Richard, who practices law in Los Angeles, California, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Richard is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
The Isaacs Law Firm is recognized as a preeminent and dynamic law firm that practices primarily in criminal defense. We have been providing legal services to Tennessee and across the southeast since 1993. By working with our exceptionally talented team of lawyers, our clients achieve remarkable results. Gregory (Greg) P. Isaacs, graduated from The University of Tennessee College of Law in 1988. Mr. Isaacs founded The Isaacs Law Firm in 1993. The Isaacs Law Firm has maintained the highest prof...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.