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A special thanks to the many of you who have been following the issue we've raised on appeal in the Second Circuit in U.S v. Pippins, regarding whether a trial judge can prohibit defense counsel from criticizing the government during summation. This was only one of the six issues we raised on appeal but it's the one that has most stuck in my craw, since courts routinely permit the government to sharply criticize defense counsel. It's just another example of the courts applyin

As cryptocurrency continues to dominate financial markets and attract mainstream investors, law enforcement agencies and federal prosecutors have stepped up efforts to combat crypto-related crimes. The digital gold rush has reached a tipping point in New York. As of early 2026, the "Wild West" era of cryptocurrency is being met with a sophisticated and aggressive enforcement response from both federal and state prosecutors. If you are being investigatged for allegations relat

Grand jury representation is a niche area of criminal practice. Years ago we interviewed a new client who had been recently charged by the feds after testifying before the grand jury. He looked befuddled, explaining his lawyer - who practiced principally in New York State courts - had told him to testify in the grand jury pursuant to a subpoena, because he would thereby take an "immunity bath," that is, he'd automatically be granted immunity. So what happened? How was he char

Well, it was just a few days ago that I wrote about oral argument in U.S. v. Pippins , an appeal that raised no less than six substantial issues, including whether the trial court properly interrupted defense counsel's summation and made him cleanse his argument and PowerPoint slides of any criticism of the government for using "sneaky" tactics to "train" the jurors. Yesterday, a panel of the Court issued a summary order affirming our client's conviction. The Court's discussi