Skip to main content

Our Attorneys

Attorney Bio

Partner

Roger Stavis

Roger Stavis is the Co-head of Mintz & Gold’s White Collar Criminal Defense and Investigations Practice. He is one of New York’s most experienced and respected criminals defense attorneys. Roger has tried more than 100 cases to verdict in state and federal courts, many of which were high-profile, complex, multi-defendant cases. Mr. Stavis has also argued more than 100 appeals in various state and federal courts around the country.  But perhaps more important are the many companies and individuals he has represented who were never charged.  Mr. Stavis is often called upon to represent companies and individuals in internal investigations as well as investigations commenced by state and federal prosecutors and regulatory agencies.

In the News

Published Works

  • “I’m an Appellate Lawyer in Manhattan. If Trump Appeals His Conviction, He Faces Long Odds,” The New York Times, June 10, 2024
  • Computer Searches: A “General” Warrant Can No Longer Satisfy Requirements, New York Law Journal, May 22, 2017
  • “Perspective on the Finale of the Strauss-Kahn Case,” The New York Times, August 25, 2011
  • “Federal Plea Agreements Leave Open Risk of Prosecution In Other Districts,” New York Law Journal, September 28, 2010
  • “Report on the Merger of the Bronx Supreme and Criminal Court,” New York City Bar Association, June, 2009
  • “The New Man at the Justice Department,” The New York Times, September 18, 2007
  • “Religion and Justice,” The New York Times, April 28, 2002
  • “Disorder in the Court,” The New York Times, April 5, 2001
  • “Jury Selection in the Robert Chambers Murder Trial: The Successful Use of An Individual Voir Dire,” Queens Bar Bulletin, May 1988

Lectures and Presentations

  • “The Fourth Amendment in the Information Age,” Federal Bar Council, April 11, 2019
  • “Federal Practice 101: An Introduction to the Nuts and Bolts of Federal Civil Practice,” New York City Bar Association, March 6, 2018
  • “Terrorism Trials and the Second Circuit,” Federal Bar Council, January 11, 2017
  • “Key Issues in White Collar Criminal Defense,” New York State Bar Association, December 14, 2015
  • New York Criminal Practice 101, New York City Bar Association, April 23, 2012
  • “The Proper Role of the Courts in National Security,” American Bar Association, Washington, D.C. March 2, 2011
  • “New York Criminal Practice 101,” New York City Bar Association, April 19, 2010
  • “The NEW New York Rules of Professional Conduct and Their Impact on Criminal Practice,” New York City Bar Association, November 10, 2009

Public Service

  • Mediator, United States District Court for the Southern District of New York

2011-present

Member, Criminal Justice Act Panel, United States District Court for the Southern District of New York, 1992-2010

  • Assistant District Attorney and Supervising Attorney, Bronx County District Attorney’s Office, 1982-1986

Representation of a large pharmacy in an internal investigation which led to a non-prosecution agreement and cooperation with the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

Representation of a corporate executive with a large pharmaceutical manufacturer in a criminal antitrust investigation by the United States Department of Justice Antitrust Division.  No charges were filed.

Representation at trial in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York of a business owner charged with money laundering and structuring of financial transactions.  The client was acquitted by a jury of all charges.

Representation of a high-profile celebrity pursued by a deranged fan.  The “stalker” was arrested and prosecuted.

Successful representation of an international hotelier accused by the New York County District Attorney of defrauding a major credit card company.

Successful representation of a real estate developer accused by the Kings County District Attorney of mortgage and deed fraud.

Representation at trial in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York and on appeal to the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, of an insurance agent accused of defrauding insurance companies with regard to life insurance policies ultimately sold as “life settlements” to hedge funds.

Representation in a Title IX Campus Hearing of a student at an Ivy League college accused of sexual assault. The student was cleared of all charges.

Representation of a financial executive being victimized in an extortion plot.  The perpetrator was arrested and prosecuted by the New York County District Attorney’s office and ultimately incarcerated.

Representation of a large public works contractor in an investigation regarding the awarding of Minority Business Enterprise contracts.  The company was cleared of all criminal charges and agreed to the appointment of Integrity Monitor after Responsibility Hearings by the Port Authority, MTA and other public agencies.

Representation at trial in New York County Supreme Court of a young man accused of Attempted Murder for his assault on his psychiatrist’s ex-husband.  The trial involved a complex and precedent setting forensic psychiatric defense.

Representation at trial in the United States District Court for the Southern District of New York of an attorney accused of public corruption in a case involving the New York City Police Department.  Although the client was convicted, the defense presented at trial convinced the trial judge to impose a minimal sentence.

Reported Cases

  • Associated Press v. Bell, 510 N.E.2d 313 (N.Y. 1987)
  • People v. Robert Chambers, 512 N.Y.S.2d 631 (N.Y. 1987)
  • United States v. Curtis, 32 M.J. 252 (U.S. Ct. Military. App. 1991)
  • United States v. Rodriguez, 968 F.2d 130 (2d Cir. 1992)
  • United States v. Rahman, 189 F.3d 88 (2d Cir. 1999)
  • United States v. Kirkham, 195 F.3d 126 (2d Cir. 1999)
  • United States v. Pirro, 76 F.Supp. 2d 478 (S.D.N.Y. 1999)
  • United States v. Al Kassar, 660 F.3d 108 (2d Cir. 2011)
  • Universitas Education v. Nova Group, 784 F.3d 99 (2d Cir. 2015)
  • United States v. Binday, 804 F.3d 558 (2d Cir. 2015)

Recognition

  • George Washington University Law School Trustee Scholar.
    • Recipient, Professional Achievement Award, The George Washington Law Alumni Association, 1995.
  • Selected as a “Super Lawyer” from 2007 through 2022. This is an honor given to fewer than five percent of the state’s most respected attorneys.
  • Chair, Federal Courts Committee, Subcommittee on Criminal Justice, New York City Bar Association, 2018-2021
  • New York Council of Defense Lawyers, (Liason Committee, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, 2016-2021)
  • New York State Bar Association (Committee On White Collar Criminal Litigation) American Bar Association National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers
  • Adjunct Faculty – Cardozo Law School, Intensive Trial Advocacy Program, 1993-2015
  • Chair, Criminal Court Committee, New York City Bar Association 2007-2010;
  • Adjunct Professor, Iona College, Department of Political Science, 2012-2015
  • Guest Lecturer, JFK Special Warfare Center, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, 1995-2006