Scott E. Leemon

SCOTT E. LEEMON, a criminal defense attorney for over 20 years is a member of the New York State Bar since 1996.

Mr. Leemon practices primarily in the federal and state courts of New York. He has handled both federal and state cases throughout the country as well as international matters. His practice has taken him to:  California, Florida, Virginia; Louisiana; Tennessee; Michigan; North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Pennsylvania, Missouri, Kentucky, Indiana, Georgia, Illinois, New Jersey, France and Austria. Additionally, Scott has been featured as a legal expert on national television and radio shows.

The practice primarily focuses on complex criminal defense at pre-trial and trial level, appeals, petitions for post-conviction relief, and applications for Pardon. 

Scott has handled cases involving allegations of: Murder; Racketeering; New York State Enterprise Corruption; Money Laundering; Narcotics Trafficking and Possession; Gun Possession; Tax Offenses; Internet, Stock and Insurance Fraud; Insider Trading, Custom Violations, Pornography; Gambling Offenses; Assaults; and DWI.

In addition, he has vast experience with criminal forfeiture issues and sentencing advocacy under the advisory federal sentencing guidelines.

In response to the Government’s recent stance to aggressively prosecute, so-called, “white collar crimes”, Mr. Leemon has had great success defending these cases, especially in federal court.  For example,

-       no charges brought against multiple mortgage brokers alleged to be involved in multi-million dollar fraud. (SDNY)

-       no charges brought against individual alleged to be involved in a $75 million investment fraud involving Health Care Accounts (ND Illinois) 

-       no charges brought against individual and/or company in connection with the alleged payment of bribes to NYC inspectors (SDNY)

-       able to obtain a deferred prosecution agreement which led to dismissal of all charges against client charged in multi-defendant Sex Trafficking case (SDNY)

-       a defendant convicted in a $14 million bank fraud was sentenced to time served (or zero time served) and Supervision with certain restrictions  (SDNY)

-       a defendant involved a customs/duty fraud conspiracy where the defendant received probation (EDNY)

-   client, an alleged high ranking member in Organzed Crime sentenced to probation and house arrest for the extortionate collection of funds.  (EDNY)

-    client, sentenced to time served (2 days) for the sale of oxycodone (SDNY)

-       former bank employee charged with selling customer information which resulted in over $70,000 in loss.  Client received 5 years probation in Manhattan Supreme Court

-       Client, a predicate felon, charged with Identity Fraud and Fraud/Grand Larceny in both state and federal court sentenced to a diversion program and community service (SDNY & Manhattan Supreme Court)

Scott specializes in handling a wide array of delicate matters that are followed by local, national and international press. He represents many members of the entertainment and sports industry facing serious criminal allegations. He handles these matters in all stages, from the beginning to the end. 



Scott Leemon has earned the reputation as the ‘go to guy’ in the rap industry for criminal defense. He has spearheaded the successful criminal defense for members of the music community on a national in international basis. He has been featured in XXL Magazine as one of “The Rap Games Best Lawyers” and continues to represent well-known members of the music community.  He has also represented members of all types of music, including a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Some of his public successes with members of the entertainment/sports industry include:

-       Client arrested and charged with others on NY state gun charge.  Client had a prior felony.  Case reduced to an ACD and ultimately dismissed (Orange County Court)

-       Client charged with possessing 6 guns in NY State Supreme Court.  Charges were reduced to a misdemeanor on day of hearings (NY County)

-       Client charged in Canada with felony assault.  With co-counsel in Canada, all charges against him were dismissed 

-       Client charged with gun possession in Miami, Florida.  Case dismissed with aid of local counsel

-       Client charged with misdemeanor drunk driving in New York.  Case dismissed.

-       Client charged with Misdemeanor Domestic Abuse and Vandalism in Los Angeles.  All Domestic Abuse charges dismissed.  Client sentenced to unsupervised probation which was terminated 1 year early

In addition, Scott has represented alleged high-ranking members of organized crime where he faced off against some of the most seasoned federal prosecutors in the country.  Some of these prosecutors have become US Attorneys and federal and state court Judges. 

He also has defended a former US Marine (after serving 2 tours in Iraq) who was charged with Attempted Murder after getting in a fight with a yellow cab driver on New Year’s Eve.  He was convicted of misdemeanor Assault and sentenced to probation. (Kings County Supreme Court). 

No case is too big or too small.  Contact him with any questions.

Mr. Leemon is a member of the National Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, the New York State Association of Criminal Defense Attorneys, and the New York Criminal Bar Association.