Best Lawyers in America for Criminal Defense: General Practice
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State
Joshua Fisher has tried over two hundred cases before juries in state, federal, and military court, including DUI and vehicular crimes, complex felony and fraud, homicide and second-degree murder, theft, white collar crimes, sex crimes, and various other criminal defense matters. He has also handled administrative and licensing hearings, advocating for professionals before various medical boards in Arizona. After over 15 years working as a government prosecutor, Joshua moved into private prac...
Ms. Marino is a 27-year lawyer and a State Bar of California Certified Criminal Law Specialist. Her practice focuses on white collar and complex criminal litigation on both a national and international level. Ms. Marino regularly represents individuals in matters involving allegations of all aspects of fraud, including, wire and mail fraud, health care fraud, insurance, and bank fraud, as well as allegations of money laundering, conspiracy, computer crimes, bribery, and kickbacks, counterfeit...
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.
John Shea is an attorney in Ann Arbor, Michigan, where he has been in private practice since 1988. He was admitted to the Illinois bar in 1983 and to Michigan's bar in 1985, and is also admitted to practice before the United States Supreme Court, the United States Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit, and United States District Courts in the Eastern District of Michigan, Western District of Michigan, Northern District of Illinois, and Southern District of Indiana. He has a trial practice in...
Colby Kanouse is the managing attorney at Stone Rose Law in Scottsdale, Arizona. Serving clients throughout the Greater Phoenix metro area and across the state of Arizona, focusing on criminal defense and personal injury. Attorney Colby Kanouse and the dedicated team at Stone Rose Law are accepting new clients. We are committed to the welfare of our clients in Arizona. We provide superior legal representation that is cost-effective and affordable. Call today at (480) 498-8998 to schedule your...
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...
Kevin Sali represents individuals and business entities in criminal, civil, and regulatory matters. In a wide variety of cases—including high-stakes major felony trials, complex white collar cases, and large-scale environmental actions—Mr. Sali has secured a series of outstanding results for his clients. With a diverse professional and educational background, he is well-suited to carry out the broad spectrum of tasks needed by clients facing challenging legal circumstances. Mr. Sa...
Danny Onorato is a former federal prosecutor and experienced trial attorney. As a defense attorney, Mr. Onorato has successfully represented individuals in a wide variety of complex criminal and civil matters, including many high profile white collar criminal offenses. Mr. Onorato’s clients have included executives from high profile cases including HealthSouth, Enron, KPMG and Fannie Mae. Mr. Onorato has also represented clients in both civil and criminal securities fraud investigations...
Silverman Thompson partner Andrew White is a former Assistant United States Attorney who served as a Senior Litigation Advisor to the Clinton Independent Counsel in the Monica Lewinsky investigation. Mr. White has over 25 years of experience trying civil and criminal cases of all kinds. He has coordinated hundreds of complex federal criminal investigations and has tried over 400 state and federal criminal trials, including over 30 federal jury trials. Mr. White represented numerous corporatio...
Brian E. Spears is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Brian E., who practices law in Southport, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brian E. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Jeffrey Whitt is a highly respected criminal defense attorney based in Knoxville, Tennessee. Known for his formidable presence in state and federal courtrooms across Tennessee, he has built a reputation as a skilled trial lawyer and relentless advocate for his clients. Jeff earned his law degree from Samford University in 1991 and holds a bachelor’s degree from Maryville College, where he was an Academic All-American and All-Conference honoree in both football and tennis. An active lead...
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...
Lindsey Erickson is a criminal defense attorney who assists individuals charged with felonies and misdemeanors. Based in Overland Park, Lindsey in defends clients throughout northeastern Kansas in cases involving drug crimes, property crimes, sex crimes, violent crimes, and DUIs. In addition to representing adults charged under the Kansas Criminal Code, Lindsey has ample experience defending youths charged under the Kansas Juvenile Justice Code. She has served on the Johnson County Juvenile C...
James F. Wyatt, III is recognized as one of North Carolina’s leading trial lawyers. He is a member of the International Academy of Trial Lawyers, the American College of Trial Lawyers, the Best Lawyers in America, has a Band 1 Ranking with Chambers and Partners, and has been named on numerous occasions as the best white collar defense and civil trial lawyer in both Charlotte and the State of North Carolina. In 2022, for the third straight year, James was selected by Super Lawyers as the...
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.