Best Lawyers in America for Criminal Defense: General Practice

A National Practice Devoted To Complex Federal Criminal Defense, Federal and State Habeas Litigation And Other Federal Matters. Ezekiel E. Cortez is a Board Certified Criminal Law Specialist, California State Bar Board of Legal Specialization after passing the federal specialist examination. As a devoted career criminal defense attorney, Mr. Cortez has unwaveringly devoted his practice to the defense of federal criminal cases and other federal matters since 1984. Since 1988 Mr. Cortez has als...

Jeff maintains an active trial and appellate practice, focusing on complex civil and criminal matters. He has substantial trial experience, before judges and juries, and has appeared as counsel and argued more than 75 appeals to the Alaska Supreme Court, Alaska Court of Appeals, Idaho Supreme Court, Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, and Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. Jeff's trial experience encompasses a broad range of matters, including environmental and antitrust cases, oil and gas disputes,...

Walter B. Nash III is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Walter B., who practices law in Tucson, Arizona, has been recognized since 2001. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Walter B. is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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...

Barry N. Covert focuses his practice primarily in the following areas: New York State and federal criminal trials and appeals Constitutional law, including First Amendment, Second Amendment, and civil rights actions Qui Tam Act, also known as the False Claims Act Defending against allegations of scientific misconduct, scientific fraud, research misconduct, research fraud, plagiarism, and fabrication of evidence Defense of professional licensing, including for attorneys, doctors, and nurses Ti...

Richard William Lynch is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: General Practice and DUI / DWI Defense. Richard William, who practices law in New Haven, Connecticut, has been recognized since 2007. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Richard William is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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 For four years in a row from 2022-2025, Superlawyers magazine voted Mr. Jezic as one the Top 10 Best Lawyers in all of Maryland (among 40,000 lawyers). Mr. Jezic’s primary focus is winning - a Not Guilty verdict or a dismissal. Otherwise, his goal is to get a result beyond expectations. To this end, Mr. Jezic has built an astonishing record of success in winning jury trials for his clients: 88% of all his jury trials as a defense attorney have resulted in some type of w...

Carey Bhalla is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Civil Rights Law and Criminal Defense: General Practice. Carey, who practices law in Albuquerque, New Mexico, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Carey is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

With over 50 years experience as a defense lawyer, Tom’s practice includes criminal matters, with an emphasis on federal and state commercial and white collar prosecutions. He has extensive trial experience in the defense of commercial and white collar criminal cases, as well as cases involving allegations of public corruption, money laundering, fraud, computer tampering, arson, theft, assault, and vehicular manslaughter. In addition, Tom has been lead trial counsel in a number of capit...

Tyrone C. Moncriffe is Board Certified in Criminal Law by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, and Board Certified in criminal law in the state of Texas. Currently he is a faculty member of the Criminal Law Institute. Attorney Moncriffe handles serious cases and always strives for excellence in the courtroom. He graduated from Texas Southern University Magna Cum Laude and received his Juris Doctorate from Thrugood Marshall School of Law in 1982. He was voted as Texas Super Lawyers in Texas M...

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...

Sonya Pfeiffer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Civil Rights Law, Criminal Defense: General Practice and Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Sonya, who practices law in Charlotte, North Carolina, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sonya is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

In our modern day rush-to-judgment society, people charged with crimes are often convicted in the court of public opinion long before they ever step foot in a courtroom. Despite citizens of this country being innocent until proven guilty, the reality is that in this day and age you have to fight for your innocence. I pride myself in knowing that I can be the voice that helps a client through what is perhaps the most difficult time in their life. Our team of experienced professionals is dedica...

James “Jim” W. Bannister is a managing partner of Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey. He graduated from the University of South Carolina Honors College in 1992 as a Phi Beta Kappa and earned his J.D. from the University of South Carolina School of Law in 1995. After which, Jim served for two years as a law clerk to U.S. Federal Judge Henry M. Herlong and has been with Bannister, Wyatt & Stalvey since that time. Jim is a criminal defense trial lawyer known for handling complex felo...

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...