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
Beattie B. Ashmore is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Appellate Practice, Criminal Defense: General Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar and Personal Injury Litigation - Plaintiffs. Beattie B., who practices law in Greenville, South Carolina, has been recognized since 2015. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Beattie B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice ...
Brian G. Thompson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice. Brian G., who practices law in Baltimore, Maryland, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brian G. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jim D. Riddet is a criminal defense attorney with more than 50 years of experience representing clients in state and federal courts. Based in San Clemente, California, Mr. Riddet is a partner with Bienert Katzman Littrell Williams LLP , where his practice focuses on Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar matters. He has tried more than 75 jury cases and has spent the last 35 years concentrating on federal criminal defense. Mr. Riddet represents individuals charg...
Aaron L. Weisman is a seasoned attorney with more than three decades of legal experience in complex litigation, government investigations, and appellate advocacy. As a Partner with Pannone Devereaux & O’Gara LLC, he represents corporate and individual clients in complex civil and criminal litigation matters in state and federal court. Mr. Weisman also represents firm clients in state and federal regulatory and enforcement actions, internal investigations, and high-stakes disputes in...
For over 20 years, Marci LaBranche has handled high-stakes criminal investigations and trials, as well as complex civil litigation, in both state and federal court. She also assists with all manner of collateral consequences that can arise from being accused of a crime. Marci is known for her perseverance and ability to quickly learn and assess even the most complex of cases. She is the rare trial attorney who practices in the areas of both civil and criminal litigation. In her criminal pract...
Josh brings a client-centered approach to his practice, and understands that there is no such thing as a “small case” when someone is the target of a criminal prosecution. He appreciates that some of the toughest battles to be fought are those that occur as a result of being accused of a crime, and that the restrictions and obstacles facing his clients can be far reaching and unanticipated. Josh is passionate about defending his clients, and takes a direct-approach on their behalf...
About Loren Loren M. Brown is a founding shareholder and managing shareholder with Ciancio Ciancio Brown, P.C. Loren’s practice is focused 100% on litigation, providing representation along the Front Range, and throughout the State of Colorado. Loren focuses on Wrongful Death and Personal Injury, Criminal Defense (ranging from traffic violations to homicide), Liquor Licensing, and Commercial Litigation. Loren is also actively involved in the Colorado Bar Association. Loren served as the...
David Courie is one of Cumberland and Hoke County's best known and relied upon trial lawyers. David is a Fayetteville native with deep roots in the region. He is the son of a well-known small businessman and a highly regarded and loved, 40 year veteran school teacher. David joined the firm in 1997 as an associate to founding partner Jerry Beaver, following his work in Washington D.C., as a Special Assistant to North Carolina's Senior Senator and his completion of law school at Campbell Univer...
Here is the revised bio with the year calculation removed, keeping it straightforward and aligned with standard Best Lawyers ® profile styling: John E. Lichtenstein is a founding member of Lichtenstein Law Group PLC in Roanoke, Virginia. Recognized by Best Lawyers ® since 2006, he has been honored across five distinct practice areas: Bet-the-Company Litigation, Criminal Defense: General Practice, Criminal Defense: White-Collar, Medical Malpractice Law – Plaintiffs, and Personal ...
David Schertler is widely recognized as one of the top white–collar criminal defense attorneys in the Washington area and nationwide. He founded Schertler & Onorato, LLP, in 1996 and has built the firm’s reputation as a premier litigation boutique through his broad experience with criminal and civil investigative and trial matters and the results that he has achieved for his clients. Mr. Schertler is known for his skilled and tenacious representation of individuals and entitie...
Pat Ridley represents individuals and entities in criminal , regulatory and civil matters involving significant risk to liberty, financial and reputational interests. A Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers, Ridley has served as lead trial counsel in more than 75 jury trials, has second chaired dozens of jury trials and trials to the court. He has tried cases involving securities fraud, tax fraud, computer fraud, mail fraud, bank fraud, congressional redistricting, Ponzi schemes, br...
Brian Hennigan is Managing Partner at Hueston Hennigan LLP. For the past 20 years, Mr. Hennigan has specialized in complex litigation with an emphasis on white collar criminal defense. Over that time period, he has successfully represented individuals and corporations facing a wide array of challenges presented by federal prosecutors and investigating agencies. More recent representations have included the successful representations of individuals facing allegations under the Foreign Corrupt ...
Frank Arleo has tried scores of criminal and civil cases in courts throughout the State of New Jersey. Indeed, he has more trial experience than most of the lawyers at the largest firms in the State. Since he began practicing law in 1982, Frank has built an impressive track record as a litigator who can quickly get to the essence of the case. He is skilled at identifying the crucial issues in each case and marshalling the facts and law to his clients’ advantage, which has led him to obt...
Andrew Olesnycky, a former supervisor-level assistant prosecutor at the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, represents individuals and organizations facing criminal charges and investigations in federal, state, and municipal courts. Mr. Olesnycky has served as lead attorney representing defendants in federal and state cases alleging multi-million dollar fraud conspiracies, money laundering, complex multi-defendant drug distribution conspiracies, arson, sexual assault, child pornography, i...
Founding Partner, Personal Injury & Criminal Defense Some lawyers make a career. Steve Coffey built a legacy. From the moment he stepped into the Albany County District Attorney’s Office—where he became the youngest Felony Bureau Chief in county history—it was clear that Steve’s path would be anything but ordinary. His commanding presence in the courtroom and instinct for justice quickly set him apart, earning respect from colleagues, judges, and adversaries alike....
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.