Gerald Shargel Joins Winston & Strawn

NEW YORK, NY (June 10, 2013) – Gerald R. Shargel, widely regarded as one of the best criminal defense lawyers in the country, has joined Winston & Strawn LLP as a partner in the firm’s New York office. Mr. Shargel, who has handled some of the most high-profile criminal cases at the investigative, trial and appellate levels, joins the firm’s litigation practice. 

“Jerry Shargel is one of the finest trial lawyers of our time,” said Michael Elkin, New York office managing partner. “Jerry is an iconic figure, revered by clients and admired equally by judges and federal prosecutors.”

Added Seth C. Farber, head of litigation in the firm’s New York office, “Jerry is at the peak of his profession and he fits hand-in-glove with Winston & Strawn’s litigation practice in New York.”

“Jerry has represented many prominent figures in political corruption cases and is well respected by the New York Bar, judiciary and the city,” said Dan K. Webb, partner and firm chairman. “Jerry’s experience will be a great addition to our white collar practice and his arrival underscores the tremendous development and growth of the firm’s litigation practice, especially in New York.”

Mr. Shargel has tried more than 125 jury trials during his career.  He is closing his office, Law Offices of Gerald L. Shargel, and bringing his three associates, Ross M. Kramer, Evan L. Lipton and Jennifer L. Hays, and paralegal Rachel Benjamin to Winston & Strawn.

“I am very happy for the opportunity to bring my team to Winston & Strawn,” said Mr. Shargel. “The firm has a highly recognized litigation practice and trial lawyers that really mean it – they are ready, willing and able to try a case. At this point in my career, I want to focus on law and Winston offers a broader platform with many resources to take on complex cases.”

A practicing attorney since 1969, Mr. Shargel has represented a broad range of white collar and criminal defendants.  Notable clients have included Marc Dreier, Daniel Pelosi and John Gotti. Mr. Shargel has been profiled in national publications, including The New York Times and The New Yorker, which described him as “…a man of elegance in the courtroom, who has said he models his oratory on Martin Luther King, Jr….The most scholarly judges treat him as an equal…known for the exceptional skill of his cross examination.”

In addition to his law practice, Mr. Shargel is Practitioner-In-Residence at Brooklyn Law School, where he teaches evidence, criminal procedure and trial advocacy. He received the Thurgood Marshall Award for Outstanding Criminal Law Practitioner by the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers in 2006. He has contributed articles and opinion pieces to the New York Times, Los Angeles Times, New York Law Journal, Huffington Post, Slate, and currently writes for The Daily Beast.  Mr. Shargel has also contributed to books and law journals and is a frequent commentator on legal issues during high-profile cases. He is a graduate of Brooklyn Law School and Rutgers University.

Mr. Shargel is the latest in a number of recent high profile lateral hires for the Winston & Strawn New York office.  In May 2012, Winston & Strawn hired more than 70 Dewey & LeBeouf attorneys, including 22 litigation partners, 17 being based in New York addressing specific needs within the firm’s securities, antitrust, and white collar practices.    

Eilene S. Bloom and Jacquelyn Knight of Major, Lindsey & Africa’s New York office, assisted in the recruitment of Mr. Shargel.

Winston & Strawn LLP is an international law firm with 15 offices located throughout North America, Asia and Europe.  More information about the firm is available at www.winston.com.