Best Lawyers in America for Criminal Defense: General Practice
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State
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...
Brian focuses his practice on criminal defense law and his representation includes: State criminal offenses Federal criminal offenses, including pre-indictment representation and white-collar cases. Trials and appeals in state and federal courts. Judicial conduct board matters He has served as lead trial counsel in over 100 jury trials including criminal defense for homicide, felony drug offenses, sexual offenses, and federal crimes. Brian is one of a select number of attorneys who have serve...
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...
Derek Byrd was born and raised in Sarasota . He graduated from Florida State University in 1990 with a B. A. in Criminology. He earned his Juris Doctorate Degree from Quinnipiac College of Law in Hamden, Connecticut in 1995 graduating cum laude. After being admitted to the Florida Bar in early 1996, Derek went to work for the Public Defender’s Office in Sarasota, where he gained extensive and valuable trial experience. He opened The Byrd Law Firm in 1998. Mr. Byrd is Board Certified in ...
Attorney Michael ("Mike") Iacopino has represented people accused of crimes in New Hampshire for more than 35 years. He is the Senior Partner at the Manchester Law Firm, Brennan Lenehan Iacopino & Hickey. Before joining Brennan Lenehan, Mike was a public defender in Manchester. He joined Brennan Lenehan in 1987. Besides representing the criminally accused, Mike has a select plaintiff's personal injury practice. Mike is the current Chair of the Board of Directors of New Hampshire Public De...
Steve Hurley's more than 45 years of practice provides clients with the background necessary to litigate complex cases. Steve is highly regarded throughout the state for his expertise in criminal defense. His persuasive presentation in the courtroom and knowledge of the law make him an effective litigator for civil cases as well. Steve was nominated and elected by his peers to the American College of Trial lawyers. His reputation earns him many referrals from colleagues for both criminal and ...
As a former three-term District Attorney in Dane County, Hal Harlowe’s familiarity with the complex operations of our legal system gives him an invaluable advantage in defending clients. His trial experience includes representing defendants in juvenile and criminal defense cases, defending licensed professionals in disciplinary matters, and litigating civil matters such as personal injury, contract disputes, real estate and guardianship cases. Having led countless investigations himself...
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 ...
Donna is one of New Hampshire’s most experienced and respected trial attorneys. In her 29 years of practice she has been lead counsel in some of the most high profile cases in this state. She has tried over 150 jury trials including charges of homicide, aggravated felonious sexual assault, felony assault, domestic violence, DWI, theft, sale and possession of drugs as well as numerous motor vehicle cases. Donna has obtained verdicts of not guilty in numerous cases including affirmative d...
Richard Tegtmeier is an experienced and accomplished trial lawyer in Taft's Compliance, Investigations, and White Collar Defense group. He specializes in complex criminal and civil litigation and has tried more than 200 cases before juries. He is respected throughout the country for his unique ability to navigate the courtroom and the complex process of a jury trial—he has the confidence required to think and act outside the box and produce the type of results that can only come from de...
Casey Meek defends individuals facing municipal, state, and federal criminal charges in Kansas and Missouri. He represents clients in felony and misdemeanor charges, including drug and alcohol offenses, DUIs, property crimes, violent crimes, probation crimes, and expungements. His practice extends throughout the Topeka, Lawrence, and Kansas City metro areas.
John H. Bradley is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Civil Rights Law and Criminal Defense: General Practice. John H., who practices law in Madison, Wisconsin, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John H. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Laura K. Gasiorowski is a Managing Partner of Stahl Gasiorowski Criminal Defense Lawyers, P.C., a boutique criminal defense firm established in 1997 focused exclusively on representing clients in complex white-collar criminal litigation, regulatory enforcement actions and corporate investigations. She has practiced criminal defense law for over 30 years and litigates in federal and state court, and on both trial and appellate levels. Admitted to practice in New Jersey, New York, and Louisiana...
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.