The best criminal defense firms in NYC in 2026 include Brafman & Associates for high-profile trials, Morvillo Abramowitz Grand Iason & Anello and Petrillo Klein & Boxer for white-collar defense, Shapiro Arato Bach and Walden Haran Williams for investigations and trials, and Kostelanetz for tax controversies. If you cannot afford a lawyer, the Legal Aid Society and borough defender organizations provide free representation.
Benjamin Brafman's firm, famous for high-profile criminal trials.
Brafman & Associates is one of New York's best-known criminal defense firms, led by trial lawyer Benjamin Brafman, handling state and federal cases.
A leading white-collar defense and investigations boutique.
Morvillo Abramowitz is a long-established Manhattan boutique focused on white-collar criminal defense, government investigations and related civil litigation.
565 5th Ave, New York, NY 10017
Former prosecutors handling white-collar cases and investigations.
Petrillo Klein & Boxer is a white-collar boutique founded by former federal prosecutors, representing clients in criminal and regulatory investigations and trials.
A trial boutique for white-collar defense and complex litigation.
Shapiro Arato Bach is a litigation boutique whose partners include former prosecutors, handling white-collar criminal matters and high-stakes civil cases.
A trial firm of former federal prosecutors.
Walden Haran Williams, founded by former federal prosecutors, defends clients in criminal and regulatory investigations and at trial.
The specialists in criminal tax and tax controversy.
Kostelanetz is a firm focused on tax controversies and criminal tax defense, representing clients in IRS and Justice Department investigations.
Free criminal defense for New Yorkers who can't afford a lawyer.
The Legal Aid Society, the country's oldest and largest legal aid organization, represents people who cannot afford a lawyer in criminal cases across the city.
You have the right to a free lawyer. The Legal Aid Society, Brooklyn Defender Services, the Bronx Defenders, Neighborhood Defender Service of Harlem and Queens Defenders represent people who cannot afford counsel.
White-collar defense covers non-violent financial and regulatory crimes — fraud, insider trading, tax offenses and corruption — and government investigations by prosecutors and regulators.