$ 600-950 per hour
PRO
Virtual Consultation Available
Richard W. Levitt is an acclaimed criminal defense lawyer with a national reputation for excellence, whose practice has spanned more than three decades. Focusing on trial and appellate advocacy and post-conviction relief, he is also the author of numerous articles on criminal law-related topics, and lectures frequently for several organizations. Mr. Levitt’s wide-ranging practice includes the defense of individuals charged with political corruption, RICO, money laundering, capital crimes, drug distribution, fraud, tax evasion and other offenses. He is a past board member of the New York Criminal Bar Association and a past honoree of that organization, as well as a Life Member of the NACDL. He is a partner in the New York City law firm of Levitt & Kaizer. Together, Mr. Levitt and Mr. Kaizer are the proprietors of the nationally popular judge-rating site, The Robing Room. He is also the author of the 1500-page Second Circuit Criminal Law Sourcebook (North Law Publishers 2016). Mr. Levitt received his J.D. from the University of Miami and his LL.M. from New York University.
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Practice Areas
48 years | 1,000 cases
31 years | 100 cases
$ 600-950 per hour
State: District of Columbia
Acquired: 1980
No misconduct found
State: New York
Acquired: 1979
No misconduct found
State: Florida
Acquired: 1977
No misconduct found
Mobile
40 Fulton Street, 17th Floor, New York, NY, 10038
levittandkaizer.com/
16 Client Reviews
Showing 6 - 10 of 16 reviews
Posted by DS | May 24, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Sex Crime
Amazing Attorney
Richard represented me in a sexual harassment and sexual abuse case. He is very intelligent and knowledgeable about the law and has a vast amount of experience which definitely attributed to my innocence. My case unfortunately lasted a year, and in the end, went to trial. During trial, Richard was ve...
Posted by anonymous | May 10, 2017 | Hired Attorney | Sexual Harassment
Exceptional Attorney
Richard represented me in a sexual harassment lawsuit against a former employer. In what was a very traumatic and emotional situation, Richard was compassionate, diligent, and fought for me every step of the way. From numerous depositions to a lengthy hearing, he was simply phenomenal and I could res...
Posted by Jeffrey Kershaw (formerly Kirschel) | March 09, 2017 | Criminal Defense
Full of promise
He advised coherently on the rather complex law relating to burden of proof and extradition. I still hoe he may represent me in some way.
Posted by anonymous | January 29, 2017
Provided referrals that I needed because atty does not practice in my state.
Mr. Levitt was very helpful to me even though he does not practice in my state. I asked for referrals and he provided. I really needed these referrals to move me in the right direction. I explained my situation is dire and he was empathetic and very helpful. Thank you sir.
Posted by anonymous | July 22, 2016 | Hired Attorney | Criminal Defense
Outstanding
My family and I truly appreciate everything Richard Levitt and Nicholas Kaizer have done for me. I was charged with serious federal fraud charges and things would have been much different if I didn’t find their law firm. There are no words to thank both of them for their hard work, dedication and suc...
"Mr. Levitt is a highly capable attorney committed to providing clients experienced, knowledgeable and aggressive representation. I endorse him without reservation."
"Richard is an exceptional criminal defense attorney whose reputation speaks for itself. He is highly regarded in his field."
"I had Rich Levitt as an opponent, back when I was a prosecutor, and he was a formidable opponent. Since becoming a defense attorney, I've had the pleasure of representing codefendants with him, and I can honestly say he is one of the most skillful and dignified attorneys I've ever worked with. He's a no-B.S., do-it-right-the-first-time sort, and I highly recommend him."
Appeals lawyer
Criminal defense lawyer
2025
AV Preeminent 5.0 out of 5 Peer Review Rated, Martindale-Hubbell
2024
Super Lawyer, New York Super Lawyers
2023
Super Lawyer, New York Super Lawyers
2022
Super Lawyer, New York Super Lawyers
2021
Super Lawyer, New York Super Lawyers
2020
Super Lawyer, New York Super Lawyers
2019
Super Lawyer, New York Super Lawyers
2018
Super Lawyer, New York Super Lawyers
2017
Super Lawyer, New York Super Lawyers
2016
Super Lawyer, New York Super Lawyers
2015
Super Lawyer, New York Super Lawyers
2014
Super Lawyer, New York Super Lawyers
2013
Super Lawyer, New York Super Lawyers
2012
Super Lawyer, New York Super Lawyers
1998
Annual Honoree, New York Criminal Bar Association
1985 - Present
Partner, Levitt & Kaizer
1995 - Present
Association of the Bar of the City of New YorkMember
1990 - Present
National Association of Criminal Defense LawyersLife Member
1990 - Present
New York State Association of Criminal Defense LawyersMember
1987 - Present
New York Criminal Bar AssociationFormer Board Member
1982 - Present
American Bar AssociationMember
1982 - Present
New York County Lawyers AssociationMember
$9.1 Million wrongful conviction settlement
Firearms convictions reversed; balance of charges remanded for Franks hearing
Petition granted.
Three-week trial. Hung jury declared on third day of deliberations.
Not guilty
Not guilty
Verdict for Plaintiff
Attempted murder, strangulation, burglary dismissed. Plea to misdemeanor with no factual allocution, an unconditional discharge and a certificate of relief from civil disabilities.
Sentenced to 18 months time served
Conviction vacated; case dismissed
All charges dismissed
Case dismissed, record sealed
Case dismissed, record sealed
Newly elected Kings County District Attorney Kenneth Thompson voluntarily dismissed the appeal just days before oral argument, citing possibility that Mr. Lopez in fact was innocent.
Motion for new trial granted by Hon. Denis R. Hurley, EDNY. Decision viewable at: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwN13pDp6hT2d2VURUN3MkR1WjA/edit?usp=sharing
Appeal granted. Conviction reversed
Case dismissed, record sealed
Motion to change venue granted
Petition Granted. Court orders that Petitioner be released if not retried within 60 days
Rule 29 Motion to Dismiss Granted
case concluded with guilty plea to single count information charging tax offense carrying potential sentence of 0-3 years
Habeas granted; sentence vacated; defendant re-sentenced to 10-year mandatory minimum (time served)
Habeas petition granted
Dismissal affirmed
Not guilty
client acquitted of murder, arson and robbery, court dismissed RICO and RICO conspiracy; client sentenced only for gun possession
Motion for new trial granted by Hon. Denis R. Hurley, EDNY. Decision viewable at: https://docs.google.com/file/d/0BwN13pDp6hT2d2VURUN3MkR1WjA/edit?usp=sharing
Sentence reduced from 11 1/2 to 4 years
government compelled to write 5K1.1 letter
acquittal
successful appeal of restitution issues
Death Penalty Attorney
1978
LL.M.
1977
JD
2025
Criminal Law Review 2025
2024
Second Circuit Criminal Law Lecture
2023
Second Circuit Criminal Law Update
2022
Second Circuit Criminal Law Update
2021
Second Circuit Criminal Law Update
2020
Second Circuit Criminal Law Update
2019
Second Circuit Criminal Law Update
2018
Second Circuit Criminal Law Update
2017
Second Circuit Criminal Law Update
2016
Second Circuit Criminal Law
2016
The Life of a Federal Criminal Case
2016
Federal Habeas Corpus Procedure
2015
Applying AML to Bitcoin and other Virtual and Crypto- Currencies
2015
Tax Audits, Investigations and Appeals Update
2014
Money Laundering, AML, and OFAC Considerations for Digital and Virtual Currencies
2014
Subpoenas to Accountants: A Criminal Defense Perspective
2014
Supreme Court Criminal Case Wrap-Up
2014
Second Circuit Criminal Law
2013
Wayward Warrants: Challenging Court-Ordered Searches and Seizures
2012
Second Circuit Criminal Law Update
2011
Second Circuit/Supreme Court update
2011
White Collar Defense
2011
Federal Sentencing Guidelines
2011
North Law Publishers' display booth
2011
Moot Court competition judge
2011
Second Circuit Criminal Law
2025
2025
2025
2014
2014
2014
2014
2014
2013
2011
2005
2005
2005
2004
2004
2004
English
Legal Answers
Legal Guides