Best Lawyers in New York, United States for Criminal Defense: White-Collar
Susan has been consistently recognized for excellence in the practice of law. Chambers USA cites her "extraordinary ability." According to Chambers USA, she commands respect for her outstanding credentials in defending high-stakes government enforcement, with sources reporting: "She is one of the stars of her generation, hands-down one of the best in the city. She has the ability to take a case through trial, which gives her tremendous leverage and credibility in the pretrial phase." Susan ha...
Preet Bharara, a former United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York (SDNY), is a renowned and highly regarded lawyer who focuses on investigations and criminal litigation matters. Dubbed “one of the most consequential prosecutors in American history” by The New Yorker , Mr. Bharara led some of the most significant criminal and civil litigations brought in the SDNY on behalf of the United States, leaving an indelible impact on the office. He is widely recognized as...
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....
Terrence M. Connors has been recognized by his peers as one of the pre-eminent trial attorneys in the state. For the past seven years, he has been ranked as the number one lawyer in all upstate New York by Super Lawyers magazine. This year, the Erie County Bar Association named him Lawyer of the Year and, in 2006, the New York State Bar Association awarded him the prestigious Attorney Professionalism Award. He is a fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers. Membership in that organizati...
Jacqueline Wolff is a partner in the firm’s investigations and white collar defense practice and is resident in the New York office. She has spent over 25 years defending companies and individuals accused of white collar crimes and False Claims Act (FCA) violations. A former Chief of the Environmental Crimes Unit and Assistant United States Attorney for the Frauds Division in the District of New Jersey, Jacqueline focuses her practice on violations of the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (...
David Patton is a highly accomplished trial attorney who has represented hundreds of clients in federal and state courts during his 25-year career. David joined the firm after serving as Executive Director and Attorney-in-Chief of the Federal Defenders of New York for twelve years, in which time he oversaw the work of federal public defenders in the Southern and Eastern Districts of New York, with offices located in Manhattan, Brooklyn, White Plains, and Islip. David has served as lead or co-...
Dillon Westfall is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Dillon, who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Dillon is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Christopher Dioguardi is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Criminal Defense: White-Collar. Christopher, who practices law in New York, New York, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Clients facing high-stakes commercial litigation look to Maegan McAdam for the strong analysis and writing skills that shape successful strategies at trial, on appeal, and in arbitrations. Maegan has deep experience in handling matters such as complex commercial disputes, reinsurance arbitrations, and internal investigations for white collar matters. Maegan has experience in all phases of litigation from investigation through trial. She is adept at managing the discovery process, particularly...
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.